Question: Are cops allowed to run red lights without their sirens on?

[iamme]

Just curious, as I saw two last week. They were stopped at red lights, and then just took off when no traffic was there. I caught up at the next light (full of cars, so he couldn't budge), and he obviously wasn't going to any emergency. Is this legal?

Obviously, I'm not going to get anywhere by reporting an officer I see do this, but I was just wondering....

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

If they are not on "call" then it is illegal. The question is who is going to give them a ticket?

 

[Spac3d]

Good question, I have always wondered that. The cops around here arent afraid to use their lights... they see its a red light, look around, flip on the lights, go through then turn them off.

During heavy traffic they drive in the "turn only lane" for a very long time to miss traffic with their lights, when they pass traffic they get back into the roads and turn their lights off.

Would cops ever get in trouble for abuse of their power?

Spac3d

 

[white]

it should be illegal. i was almost hit by a cop that didn't have its headlights on (it was at night) or have its sirens on. i pulled up to the stop sign, looked both ways and then proceeded to go then i see this car flying at me. it didn't stop at the stop sign and was driving dangerously without lights on.

 

[roamerr]

Per Andy Griffith show --

No---

Citizen's Arrest; Citizen's Arrest!!!!

 

[Harvey]

Yes, if it is in the line of duty. Besides, you gonna give 'em a ticket?

 

[iamme]

Originally posted by: Harvey
Yes, if it is in the line of duty. Besides, you gonna give 'em a ticket?

You think the cop will be mad if I catch up to him and pretend to write his plate # down?

 

[chrisjor]

No.

remember this saying........Cops and Judges are OF the law...not above the law!!!!!!!!!!

 

[OutHouse]

yes it is legal. running lights only is a good way to get to a scene as fast as possiable without alerting the bad guys with a screaming siren.

 

[chrisjor]

or to a hot deal before it sells out! I have buds who are police and fire....don't try to play on that 9/11 "everything we do is justified" crap!!!!!!!


Also..please excuse me....if you proceed through an intersection legally, and some moron cop hits you just cause he is chasing an African American kid because he was speeding....you are entitled to compensation and that racist cop is way out of line. We have had multiple fatalities here in Cincinnati because the law thinks they can ignore traffic signals (stop signs, traffic lights) to give a speeding ticket.

 

[rahvin]

Originally posted by: iamme
Just curious, as I saw two last week. They were stopped at red lights, and then just took off when no traffic was there. I caught up at the next light (full of cars, so he couldn't budge), and he obviously wasn't going to any emergency. Is this legal?

Obviously, I'm not going to get anywhere by reporting an officer I see do this, but I was just wondering....

You should take down the license plate and note the time and call it in as a public complaint. He broke the law and he shouldn' t be enforcing it if he can't follow it himself.

 

[RGN]

Originally posted by: iamme
Just curious, as I saw two last week. They were stopped at red lights, and then just took off when no traffic was there. I caught up at the next light (full of cars, so he couldn't budge), and he obviously wasn't going to any emergency. Is this legal?

Obviously, I'm not going to get anywhere by reporting an officer I see do this, but I was just wondering....

no, the siren is another form of warning. The is a department regulated procedure, no laws exist.

 

[chrisjor]

PICK UP YOUR PHONE........CALL EVERYONE LISTED UNDER "City Of XXXXX" and report it!!!!!!! I don't care if it is the garbage collectors you get hold of....report it!!! People DIE!!!

 

[jimmygates]

Don't think it's illegal however it depends on the Seargent. If the Seargent is cool about it then he will just dismiss the report. However some Seargents take these reports seriously and will chew your @ss out.




-Jimbo

 

[rahvin]

Originally posted by: RGN

Originally posted by: iamme
Just curious, as I saw two last week. They were stopped at red lights, and then just took off when no traffic was there. I caught up at the next light (full of cars, so he couldn't budge), and he obviously wasn't going to any emergency. Is this legal?

Obviously, I'm not going to get anywhere by reporting an officer I see do this, but I was just wondering....

no, the siren is another form of warning. The is a department regulated procedure, no laws exist.

It would actually be under State traffic laws. I have never heard of a situation where it is legal for a cop to run a red without his lights on. It's too big of a hazzard.

 

[amnesiac]

Depends on the code issued.
E.g. Code 1 = normal service call, code 3= lights and sirens if necessary

If it's say, a robbery, sometimes cops will drive without lights and sirens.

 

[TerryMathews]

I was under the impression that Police Officers were obligated, whether or not on duty, to obey all traffic laws unless they are responding to a call and have at least their warning lights running. I cannot comment on the validity of this, however. And, of course, this is all hypothetical as you would have to have another police officer willing to write the first one a ticket as well as a traffic court judge that would uphold said ticket.

 

[UDT89]

does it really bother you that much?

 

[iamme]

Originally posted by: UDT89
does it really bother you that much?

No, I was "just curious".