Question about local cops outside of their towns

[Twigg]

Its called "Mutual aid", in this case the most likely reason was some sort of accident or obstruction (Moose/deer in road) several miles ahead in another town which could have been cleared by the time you passed through the affected area. Sometimes its better to slow down traffic than to stop it all entirely which can cause chain reaction collisions because peeps is too stoopid to watch the road and take the damm cruise control off in traffic.

Not all cops sit on their ass eatin' doughnuts trying to figure out whose dog to shoot next.

 

[Boghog1]

Getting really brave since DADT was repealed.

Now that was funny

 

[MassMark]

I read all these stories and remain grateful I live west of the Connecticut River. There must be something in the water out there. With nearly 250,000 miles on my Xterra, I get pulled over a fair amount, (license plate lights, tail lights, headlights out, emissions rejection sticker, etc). Be it Massachusetts State Police or local police departments, I am always treated fairly and with respect. Sure, Pittsfield PD have what appears to be a habit of using their light bars as traffic control devices, but I can't say that if I had the power, I wouldn't do the same... Hell - a local cop fixes my car in Stockbridge and he's one of the best mechanics and constitutionally sound people I know. I think people need to lighten up out there on the coast. Take a deep breath and chill...

 

[OB1Kenobi]

Getting really brave since DADT was repealed.

shiiiite.


Blow passed me!

 

[drgrant]

I read all these stories and remain grateful I live west of the Connecticut River. There must be something in the water out there. With nearly 250,000 miles on my Xterra, I get pulled over a fair amount, (license plate lights, tail lights, headlights out, emissions rejection sticker, etc). Be it Massachusetts State Police or local police departments, I am always treated fairly and with respect. Sure, Pittsfield PD have what appears to be a habit of using their light bars as traffic control devices, but I can't say that if I had the power, I wouldn't do the same... Hell - a local cop fixes my car in Stockbridge and he's one of the best mechanics and constitutionally sound people I know. I think people need to lighten up out there on the coast. Take a deep breath and chill...

For whatever it's worth most of the ones out this way are decent, too... it's just that 1% that does lame things once in awhile.

I guess you could say I also "applaud" MSP for their captain obvious speed traps on rte 2 and the like. I've never gotten a ticket from them. There is an unwritten game in play, and they seem to prey off the ones that don't know how it works.

-Mike

 

[Rick Roma]

My favorites in Mass. are the sheriff's cars. Their policy is to not make traffic stops. I had one riding my bumper on 93 at 75 mph recently and I just sat there and laughed until he got pissed enough to pass me on the right.....

 

[Len-2A Training]

My favorite in Mass. is the sherriff cars. Their policy is to not make traffic stops. I had one riding my bumper on 93 at 75 mph recently and I just sat there and laughed.....

It's not so much a "policy" as the RMV will NOT issue any sheriff's department ticket books, so they can't write any MV infractions.

Also, I am not certain that deputy sheriff's meet this definition in MGL C. 90 S. 1, as required to be empowered to write such tickets.

http://www.malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXIV/Chapter90/Section1

“Police officer” or “officer”, any constable or other officer authorized
to make arrest or serve process, provided he is in uniform or displays
his badge of office.

At any rate there would be a shitstorm of epic proportions within law enforcement in MA if any deputy or Constable were to write a traffic ticket!

 

[JFR2]

i prefer a statie to do 90 and blow me

Freudian slip!


-JR

 

[Serapis]

It's not so much a "policy" as the RMV will NOT issue any sheriff's department ticket books, so they can't write any MV infractions.

Also, I am not certain that deputy sheriff's meet this definition in MGL C. 90 S. 1, as required to be empowered to write such tickets.

http://www.malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXIV/Chapter90/Section1



At any rate there would be a shitstorm of epic proportions within law enforcement in MA if any deputy or Constable were to write a traffic ticket!

They meet the definition under the letter of the law but the RMV wont issue citation books to them.
I don't know what kind of LE you were with but deputy sheriffs can enforce chapter 90 laws anywhere within their county. Writing a ticket would require a town cruiser to assist. I know some sheriffs departments are not well respected within the LE community. Well, mostly Middlesex county but Plymouth is highly respected I think.

 

[joeendris]

In the car mags, they started calling these people LLBs or Left Lane Bandits a long time ago. The person who is going 55 in the left lane holding up everyone.
The leftmost lane is supposed to be for passing.

It's the folks that stay in the left lane at 55mph that suck. If you're scooting around another at 75, and a pretz comes up on you at 85, high beams you and is a general nuissance, while you're in passing-mode, they deserve a windshield spray...then get out of their way to let them flush out the cops

 

[Business]

From my experience on 128 if your doing 58 MPH your doing pretty good for yourself

 

[OfficerObie59]

It's not so much a "policy" as the RMV will NOT issue any sheriff's department ticket books, so they can't write any MV infractions.

Also, I am not certain that deputy sheriff's meet this definition in MGL C. 90 S. 1, as required to be empowered to write such tickets.

http://www.malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXIV/Chapter90/Section1



At any rate there would be a shitstorm of epic proportions within law enforcement in MA if any deputy or Constable were to write a traffic ticket!

They can write tickets per case law but the books have to be issued to them by an appropriate source, i.e., a local chief with close ties to a sheriff's office.

The shitstorm would only occur if the local agency and SD don't get along (think Bristol County writing cites in New Bedford). In contrast, Plymouth County has a good reputation with many of its local PDs, many of whom work closely together.

 

[Len-2A Training]

They can write tickets per case law but the books have to be issued to them by an appropriate source, i.e., a local chief with close ties to a sheriff's office.

I remember a news story a few years ago where they were looking for the "leak" as a SD had gotten ahold of some ticket books and was writing them. It was a shitstorm looking for someone to hang for distributing the books "to unauthorized persons" (in the mind of those that control the books)!

 

[Landmine]

Did you happen to catch the car number?
I live in Bedford and know a lot of the cops, and know of all of them i think. I would like to know who it was... Fat? Tall? Bald?
I could casually mention it if i am friendly with them. Cops make me wonder sometimes and finding out answers is the best.

And sheriffs car's are the best, i flat out ran a red light in front of one before.

 

[John2006]

The guy looked older and was heavy set. I didn't get the car number, but it did have "Traffic Supervisor" written on the side.

 

[Landmine]

Hmmm Bedford Ma?, black and white?
Ford crown vic?

Not bringing up any one specific in my mind.. oh well i will continue not to take any of them seriously

 

[Hikes]

If you see DB behavior from a cop whip out your cell phone camera and record it. They certainly can't get you on any "wiretapping" charges for this and you can make them accountable for their actions...or at the very least post the video

 

[Bill Nance]

I don't know how it works in Mass.

In WA if you are a commissioned officer, you have the same rights of arrest infraction etc. as anyone else in the state. -which seems reasonable to my mind. (i.e. a an Andover cop not being able to arrest you because you went to Tewkwsbury would seem a silly idea).

Usually the staties and the locals have an arrangement that unless there is something significant (i.e someone doing 30 over ) the local cops don't mess with the statie's jurisdiction. This has also been the working relationship with the CHP and local California cops. -But it's not the law.

Here's a simple suggestion to you: Obey the damned speed limits. Breaking them won't get you there significantly faster and WILL likely cost you in increased insurance costs and tickets. There is no up-side to speeding unless someone is bleeding in your car and you're racing them to the E-Room. In which most cases, the cops will HELP you get there quicker with an escort.
complaining because you were forced to go the speed limit? PULEASE.

 

[Jose]

Please tell me you're not one of those heroes doing 85 down the breakdown lane! I wouldn't mind the lane exception but for the fact it has become the new high speed lane, even when traffic does not dictate the use of it. I have always seen it as a band-aid for poor planning in future road usage.JMO

You should tell Germany that.

 

[gjones77]

Funny thing is, the speed limits in Mass are set arbitrarily low to increase tickets revenue.

In and in 2006 MassHighway traffic engineers recommended a speed limit increase. State Police vetoed the change, preferring the 99% violation rate that let them write tickets at will.

Here's a link to the study that was performed.

http://www.nmcog.org/RSA Bedford-Billerica-Chelmsford Final Draft Report w Appendix.pdf

So all of that you bitch about those doing 70 - 75 while you're dragging your ass along in the left hand lane at 55 - 60, you're actually driving in a far more unsafe manner than those that are speeding.

 

[mremski]

Hmm, I wonder if enough money and a good lawyer could use that traffic study to get out of a ticket.

 

[JCat]

Hmm, I wonder if enough money and a good lawyer could use that traffic study to get out of a ticket.

I think it possibly could, not that it's always that hard to get out of a ticket anyway. I don't know much about this, but my understanding is that MA is violating federal speed limit requirements on interstates like 95, by setting the limit lower than would be dictated by the federal requirements that come along with the interstate system. Maybe someone else knows more about that...

 

[hpm]

...Obey the damned speed limits....

Oh crap...

 

[OfficerObie59]

So all of that you bitch about those doing 70 - 75 while you're dragging your ass along in the left hand lane at 55 - 60, you're actually driving in a far more unsafe manner than those that are speeding.

I don't think that's quite accurate. The study you cite deals with a particular type of crash (median crossover) on a very particular stretch of of roadway (rt. 3 in Chelmsford, Billerica, and Bedford). Futhermore, while it does note those the 55mph speed limit may contribute to the issue, raising the limit would be far from a panecea for that particular type of accident which accounted for 40% of the crashes on that roadway. If you wish to prove your point, feel free to cite for me the other 60% of crashes and how the speed limit would lessen their frequency.

When the nation's speed limits went to 55mph in the 70's as a fuel saving measure, road fatalities arguably went down (there are some studies to the contrary). And since the mid 90's, most highways in MA went up to 65mph with the notable exceptions of 128, Rt. 3 on the south shore (only taised to 60mph) and some other curvy highways or roads wih lack of merge space like Route 1 north of the Tobin and rt. 6 on the Cape.

The other issue is that if you up the speed limits, a good portion of the speeding will increase by that value. It seems to me human behavior has to figure in to the equation--basically you set a rule to be harsher than you want the result to be because if you set it to where you actually want it to be, you'll get lesser compliance. So, say the state determines 70 mph is the max safe speed. They set the limit at 65 knowing the average person generally drives 5 mph over--thus it if it were set at 70, they'd end up with a common speed of 75mph.

I'm actually a fan of the 85% rule for speed limits on most roads. Take the free speed of every vehicle over a good period of time so you have a good sample, and set the limit at the 85th percentile of the vehicles' speed.

 

[OfficerObie59]

Hmm, I wonder if enough money and a good lawyer could use that traffic study to get out of a ticket.

You'd has be charged under 90/17 for it to be a valid argument. That's a good idea though.

 

[therick04pp]

Issues posting today, triple post.

 

[therick04pp]

Issues posting today, triple post.

 

[therick04pp]

Not knowing the situation, he could have been escorting another vehicle while trying to remain low profile. Automatically this forum jumps to the conclusion that he is a crooked cop.

As far as juridiction, depending on mutual aid agreements and whether or not he is a sworn deputy he could have jurisdiction. Any sworn officer can make a Felony arrest per se.If you ever question the validity of a police officer that is pulling your over you should drive to the nearest police station and dial 911.

This would be ok ONLY if the car was not marked and the station was within a mile or two and it was night time. If the car was marked and the lights and siren were activated for all to see, then there is no way a person could reasonably believe that it was not a sworn officer making a lawful traffic stop. A marked car (even out of jurisdiction) is still a "real police car". Not pulling over is a bad idea especially on a highly traveled roadway. Even outside of the jurisdiction, officers still have a duty to act to preserve safety. Maybe for all you know, a piece of your exhaust is hanging and about to fall off at 55 mph. That would be and could be dangerous for ALL on the roadway. Could be your spare tire is about to fall off (rear and under mounted) and it could fly through the window of another persons car. There is many many reasons it could happen. The best advise is call 911. Perfectly reasonable considering the situation and they will have some sort of "line of communication" with whomever the officer is.

 

[Serapis]

This would be ok ONLY if the car was not marked and the station was within a mile or two. If the car was marked and the lights and siren were activated for all to see, then there is no way a person could reasonably believe that it was not a sworn officer making a lawful traffic stop. A marked car (even out of jurisdiction) is still a "real police car". Not pulling over is a bad idea especially on a highly traveled roadway. Even outside of the jurisdiction, officers still have a duty to act to preserve safety. Maybe for all you know, a piece of your exhaust is hanging and about to fall off at 55 mph. That would be and could be dangerous for ALL on the roadway. Could be your spare tire is about to fall off (rear and under mounted) and it could fly through the window of another persons car. There is many many reasons it could happen. The best advice is call 911. Perfectly reasonable considering the situation and they will have some sort of "line of communication" with whomever the officer is.

Thats' why you dial 911 while you do it. Which is why I included that part.

 

[therick04pp]

Well consider my statement as "just emphasizing your AND" between continue driving AND calling 911. I would let the dispatcher advise me to not pull over unless they told me "were not sure but pull over and find out". Of course all this is dependent on having a cell phone and having service.