Originally posted by Trell
So does that mean he is not alowed to put his lights on to respond to any off these issues? Sounds like a dept problem to me, if he is responding to something that just happened I would think he would be alowed to speed up. But you never know..
But that does not give him the rights to drive crazy just for fun, with out his lighs on when he is not responding it any one.
Maybe i am wrong, But i would want cops to actualy have to follow the laws when everything is normal.
So what are the rules?? Are cops alowed to speed?, I see them speeding all the time here with and with out there lights off,
I guess we should just accept ******* cops and agressive cops, and bend over and kiss there ass? Becasue the police dept cant seems to find good cops?
Rolling light & siren, "code 3", is covered by state law & dept policy, all states / depts differ... You can call the community relations officer at your local PD and ask about their code 3 policy.
knowing that; technically, yes, that officer in Cali can use his descrition to roll code 3 to these types of calls and be covered by state law. However, department policies are much more restrictive, local governments do everything, including risking your safety, to avoid liability.
Generally policy says you cant roll code 3 unless "authorized"; by a supervisor directly, or the dispatcher who relays the the supervisors ok. An officer can always ask for permission, but its denied 9 out of 10 times. Departments vary on code 3 regs, LAPD will automatically ok code 3 runs on bank robberies and rapes in progress... my Dept did not. We rolled automatic code to injury accidents / medical emergencies, and thats about it.
My dept policy strictly stated that unless authorized code 3 by a supervisor, you shall obey any and all vehicle codes; ergo stop at stop signs / red lights, no speeding etc. Even as a burglar is in your home, the cops are technically supposed to follow every traffic rule or risk getting in trouble.
It also depends on department activity, I worked in East LA where calls relating to shootings, burglaries, assaults, attempted murders, rapes were common, no way the city wants the liability of police cars rolling code 3 with any regularity. In Beverly Hills where such things are rare, they'll assign 2 or 3 units code 3 to felonies in progress.
The reality is I drove that Corvette Engine Caprice like a NASCAR from hell, unauthorized code 3 100MPH in reverse on the sidewalk to back a fellow officer. The "P-pack" Chevys were re-chipped 5.7 liter vette engine rockets with Eagle GTs, heavy duty suspension, oil / tranny coolers.. they hauled balls.
But for you people... I got there when I got there. How fast I drove depended on what I thought my chances of catching the bad guy were. The closer I was, I flew... across town?, eh.. not worth the risk to my job. Some nights I got 20 or more calls, rushing to all of them all the time is guaranteed career disaster.
Rolling code 3 can actually be a pain, people simply do not pull to the right, and it is strictly 100% forbidden to pass on the right while rolling code; they will suddenly decide to yield as you pass, crashing into the unit. Its often easier to just roll, using the occasional lights & siren to clear intersections... which is against policy, but its done.
