twodogs603 said:
Thats a good point, because there were a ton of lights on the car. And as I said in my 1st post, from an installation standpoint it looks good. Real good. But I have serious issues with what he has done-to his POV. Because as I said, its not legal in Virginia for a LEO to equip their POV like that. And any Virginia state inspection station that sees those lights and passes his car, is risking losing their inspection license.
I appreciate the info since I have heard several different things from Northern VA LEOs with Arlington, Fairfax and VSP.
The biggest and most relevant is that I do not run code in VA since I am working normally in DC (unless I am out assisting on task force stuff). And most of that is in DC/MD due to the heavy concentration of jackings and armed robbery cars along the PG County, MD and DC border. Several NVA traffic guys and auto theft folks have said that since the lenses are clear, not activated, and out of view (to normal people), then they (VA) see no issues.
The car is typically used stationary in the city (DC) for part time, etc. Almost every agency I have talked too allows their officers to use department cars for department authorized part time or of course thay have take home cars. DC has like 70 take homes for a 3800 man department. Even the bulk of ERT, K9, bomb, and Motor Officers all lost their take homes.
As for DC we have people who leased and own fully marked vehicles, including a full marked Harley. We also have a special order that covers the use and reimbursement of private vehicles while on duty.
I'm not sure about other agencies out there, but if you were to drive onto any of the MDPC parking lots at the Districts, you would see half the POVs with some form of lighting, and emergancy vehicle placards.
I have not encountered the inspection station issue yet (inspection is due next month). I don't want any favors and esp don't want them to get in jammed. If it can't pass then I will either have to remove and change the setup or more likely register the car in DC. (The EX wants the house anyway, lol)
TwoDogs,
thanks for the input because I am sure that out of all the LEOs I talk too on the street you guys here have a very specific knowledge set about lighting and related code that they may not!
LOL, and yes a quick key up on the radio and the marked units do show up quick