[E91 Hoarder]

I friend of mine forwarded me a video below. Apparently, even undercover patrol cars have to be properly marked by the state law, so they could be identified as cop cars. However, cops ignore that law and continue pulling people over in completely unmarked cars. The guy in the video decided to take a fight and is begging for a ticket, so he can take the case to court. But the cop is refusing to write one out!

Anyway, read his story in the description to the video. This is very interesting subject...

[kpsingh0]

Originally Posted by BMWTF?

I friend of mine forwarded me a video below. Apparently, even undercover patrol cars have to be properly marked by the state law, so they could be identified as cop cars. However, cops ignore that law and continue pulling people over in completely unmarked cars. The guy in the video decided to take a fight and is begging for a ticket, so he can take the case to court. But the cop is refusing to write one out!

Anyway, read his story in the description to the video. This is very interesting subject...

I'm just curious at what point are they unmarked. Cause a lot of cars will have a small sticker. But you won't see it if you drive by.

[Zoomerang]

also, they normally have license plates that indicate they are driving government cars (XMPT).

[Taran.J]

Washington state unmarked cars must have a XMT without that plate only then is it "unmarked"

Resource: Pierce County Sheriff (my neighbor)

[floydarogers]

The OP and Video is incorrect. See section 3 of http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.08.065 : "Traffic control vehicles of the Washington state patrol may be exempted from the requirements of subsection (2) of this section at the discretion of the chief of the Washington state patrol." That exception has been used to license patrol cars looking for aggressive drivers/road rage.

Generally, WA State Patrol cars have "WSP" in their license - WSP xxxx or xxxx WSP.

A related issue with undercover plates became an issue over the last year or two, mostly related to the DOL giving undercover plates to other agencies (mostly feds in the TSA, FBI, etc.) There was no way to track who/why/when/etc because DOL didn't keep records good enough.

[E91 Hoarder]

Originally Posted by Zoomerang

also, they normally have license plates that indicate they are driving government cars (XMPT).

Originally Posted by Taran.J

Washington state unmarked cars must have a XMT without that plate only then is it "unmarked"

Resource: Pierce County Sheriff (my neighbor)

Originally Posted by floydarogers

The OP and Video is incorrect. See section 3 of http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.08.065 : "Traffic control vehicles of the Washington state patrol may be exempted from the requirements of subsection (2) of this section at the discretion of the chief of the Washington state patrol." That exception has been used to license patrol cars looking for aggressive drivers/road rage.

Generally, WA State Patrol cars have "WSP" in their license - WSP xxxx or xxxx WSP.

A related issue with undercover plates became an issue over the last year or two, mostly related to the DOL giving undercover plates to other agencies (mostly feds in the TSA, FBI, etc.) There was no way to track who/why/when/etc because DOL didn't keep records good enough.

@Zoomerang @Taran.J You guys are correct: the marking requirements for these type of cars are special sticker and WSP license plate. However in these case, the unmarked cop car was missing those elements.

@floydarogers. A "traffic control vehicle" is not the same as a "traffic enforcement vehicle". Traffic control vehicles are supposed to be used to control the traffic, but not to enforce it. For example, on a scene of an accident, or near a construction site. Besides that, they need to have and use the orange warning lights while performing the traffic control. Therefore, unmarked traffic PATROL/ENFORCEMENT cars do not qualify for that exemption.

[floydarogers]

Originally Posted by BMWTF?

@Zoomerang @Taran.J @floydarogers. A "traffic control vehicle" is not the same as a "traffic enforcement vehicle". Traffic control vehicles are supposed to be used to control the traffic, but not to enforce it. For example, on a scene of an accident, or near a construction site. Besides that, they need to have and use the orange warning lights while performing the traffic control. Therefore, unmarked traffic PATROL/ENFORCEMENT cars do not qualify for that exemption.

Neither "traffic control vehicle" nor "traffic enforcement vehicle" are defined anywhere in the RCWs, so your argument fails.

Sophistry in these arguments are best left to lawyers and the courts. You and I are mostly incompetent in this regard (unless you're a lawyer and admitted to the WA Bar).

I'll stop by the Bellevue WSP office some time and ask them their opinion (which won't be the final word on it, but better than you and me arguing in vacuum.)