8 Responses to “More On Chicago Cop – Toll Road Chase Case”

1. Dorothy on December 20th, 2007 3:44 pm

   Glad to read that the Indiana State Police follow up on reports of wrong doings.

2. Not in Indiana on December 22nd, 2007 7:56 am

   apparently whether you are in uniform or not is more important in Indiana than crime prevention. So, what is the rest of the story…or Indiana will not have any officer from anywhere willing to do anything off duty in Indiana!

3. Chris on December 22nd, 2007 9:13 am

   Hi Dorothy,

   Thanks for stopping by!

4. Chris on December 22nd, 2007 9:21 am

   Hi Not In Indiana,

   I fully support police officers, including the men and women doing tough jobs over in Chicago. (I wrote a post about Mike Mette).

   However, the rule that officers have to be in uniform or driving a marked car makes sense to me.

   It is easy enough for anyone to obtain a handgun — even with gun control laws the bad guys can always find a way to get a gun.

   Gang bangers and others with evil intent would take advantage and try to pull victims over by pretending they were undercover police officers if there was no rule regarding the need to wear a uniform while in an unmarked car.

   Citizens would always have to wonder if they were being pulled over by a police officer or by an impostor if there wasn’t a requirement.

   The marked police car or uniform rule gives a clear indication to someone who is pulled over that an officer has pulled them over.

5. daddysgyrl115 on December 22nd, 2007 6:42 pm

   i understand the rule of marked cars , but in chicago all unmarked cars and officers have 2 be identified. the cars carry M plates (municipal plates) and the officers MUST wear their badge around their neck where it is visible because they are in plain clothes at all times so there is no mistake who they are.

6. Not in Indiana on December 24th, 2007 1:39 pm

   Chris,
   Thanks for your response. Over the years there have been police impersonators regardless of laws passed. Passing a law doesn’t really a fix for the problem(s). Drivers generally have been advised to call 911 and asked to tell dispatch they have a doubt about who is stopping them or what public place they may pull over for the police while requesting that a marked car respond.
   It would also be wise for an off duty officer, to also call it in to 911 and advise them of the situation and request the on duty police to respond. To pass a law about his being in uniform or not is more likely to prevent an off duty officer from wanting to become involved due to its “lawfulness” and the ensuing problems of that circumstance.
   And, when things go wrong they can go wrong all to fast. It doesn’t take long for someone to commit a crime for which an officer may wish to prevent in a timely fashion with the least danger to the public or himself.

7. Chris on December 24th, 2007 4:55 pm

   Hi Not In Indiana,

   You’re right that passing laws doesn’t fix the problem because people who are inclined to be impersonators aren’t deterred by the illegality of their actions.

   I wonder if there’s something more to the story because it seems like the Indiana authorities are dropping the hammer pretty hard.

8. Chris on December 24th, 2007 4:56 pm

   Thanks for the info, Daddysgyrl. It’s always good to learn more about the subject.

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