What do you recommend that people who are unsure of the legitimacy of an unmarked car/plain clothes officer do when they are about to be pulled over?

I have seen a few instances of people with fake police id's, dolled up cars, etc, trying to pull (especially women) over with the intention of committing a crime.

I have told my wife NOT to pull over for an unmarked vehicle until a marked unit arrives or she can get to a police station.

I realize that this may cause problems with actual unmarked Police vehicles, but I am not sure what else to do.

Any suggestions?

If you're being followed by a suspicious vehicle, dial #77 on your cell phone. (might be different in your area)
This is the number to report disabled vehicles, but can also be used for this type of situation.

I believe 311 is another service. It's for calls that aren't quite at the 911 level, yet warrant police attention.

For more info, look here: http://www.snopes.com/horrors/mayhem/fakecop.asp

Zombie -

Thanks for the tips, I will pass them along.

u really have to be careful with advice like, "drive to the nearest police station" what happens if ur in the county (along way away from the nearest station or substation)? or somewhere that u dont know WHERE a station is? if ur not careful u wind up on an episode of cops.

i would suggest if a pd is not nearby, driving to a well lighted, traveled, area-convenience store, mall, anywhere there are PEOPLE, lots of PEOPLE keep u safe. if u have time the phone call to a local area is a good idea; but what happens if u dont know the number. 911/311/0 will not always put u in contact with the agency of the police vehicle that is pulling u over (since jurisdictions tend to overlap). maybe ur call puts u in touch with a local agency, but, it is a state trooper/game warden/federal agency that is pulling u over (usually one doesnt know what the other is doing). i would call 911 though (not 311/411/0), if ur being pulled over by someone who you think might not be a cop, i (as an officer that is concerned for the welfare of all citizens) WOULD consider that a very dire emergency.

Kel

I was concerned about the "cops episode" possibility myself.

That is a good idea about driving to a populated area. I live in the country, and I worry about my wife for just that reason. The 911 is probably not a bad idea either, as it can be 8-10 miles before any remnants of civilization appear.

i could see where someone named zombie zero would have a hard time taking anything seriously.

i pull ppl over all the time that dont know what theyve done (and yes ive arrested them too). there is quite a time lag between agency communication. if someone in a car doesnt know who is pulling them over, how will a person behind a desk (miles away) know who it is? WILL they call all the leo agencies in the state? wat if its federal? will they call all them too???

i am a gulf war veteran (firefighter), graduated top academic from my police academy, 12 years as a police officer (u/c narcs, traffic homicide, dynamic entry school at fort blanding, swat basic out of south florida, shieldman on my team, currently plain clothes investigations, past patrol officer, theres more but i grow tired of typing); i am also a member of one of the few combat units in the USAF.

i use shorthand becuz i type a lot and it is a chore....

WAT HAV U DUN? (video games dont count)

Kel

hunterkell, I defer to your knowledge on the subject, given your position and experience. I didn't mean to suggest otherwise.

The comment I made about shorthand was meant to be light-hearted, I hope it didn't come off as snotty. 'teh intarnet sp34k' is a pet peeve of mine, but we all have our bears to cross.

Double-Z

fair enough.

i did take it as a litle snotty.

i apologize for jumping and being rude without first making sure of ur intent.

u hurt my feelings,

we try to not jump at each other too much on this website, it gets in the way of honest communication.

friends
Kel