I'm just curious...

[Jay 02 TA ws6]

... I know there are a few law enforcement officers that are registered members on this site, and probably a few more that read, but aren't registered...

What goes through your guys' minds when you read threads such as the recent "how fast have you gone in your f-body?"? Are you hoping that the people who said in excess of 100 mph will get nailed as soon as possible, are you thinking, "wow, that's sweet"... ?

What would you do on an empty highway during the day if you spotted a fast car traveling over 100 mph the opposite direction? If the highway is empty, are you normally going to give the guy the benefit of the doubt for not endangering anyone but himself, or what?

Just kinda curious what is going through the minds of the patrol officers sometimes...

PS -- after 2 1/2 years with my f-body... I have not even been pulled over, because 99% of the time, I am driving within the law. I'll knock on wood.

[DJ Taso]

I'm in my 2nd year in getting my associates degree in Criminal Justice. :P

[Dave M]

I am not a current police officer but I have some law enforcement experience, and I feel I can speak for a lot (not all) cops when I say; when I read the posts, I'm thinking "that's sweet" (I posted a 130 mph speed) but when you're on duty, you're enforcing the law. You'd pull that 100+ speeder over, then decide from there whether he gets a ticket. If he's not a d!ck, then maybe you let 'em off. If he's giving you attitude or not taking the situation seriously, you take him down a few pegs, but that goes for pretty much for any traffic stop. There are those out there, that for them 100+ is inexcusable in any situation. And that's not at all a bad thing. That speed is excessive. I think that most look at each individual situation differently though.

Of course, if he's driving a civic with a 6 foot wing and a 6 inch tailpipe, you might just give him a ticket anyway!

[Storms Of War]

The funniest is when people think that if they're doing over 100, the cops aren't even going to try to catch them. Cop cars are slow up to 30 MPH but after that, damn! Those things take off like you can't possibly imagine. Never think you're going to outrun a cop no matter what you're driving.

[TimeLord]

I've run against both a Caprice and a Crown Vic at the track in Montreal[Napierville].

The Caprice was low 17,with 2 cops and gear on board at 78mph.

The Vic was 17,7 ,with 3 cops and gear at 75mph.

They aren't fast to accelerate,but they have radios that are faster than any of our cars.

[Detroit_Bird]

I read somewhere that the crown vic tops out somewhere around 130 mph and can't take a turn past about 100. Kinda makes it tempting when our cars can reach 150+! - then rational thinking kicks in....

[casey02ws6]

My brother is a police officer - he is a "by the book" type guy (yes he would give me a ticket). I asked him your question and his reaction is "sweet - as long as no one is around". He said he looks at the driver's history - if it's a one time thing and no one is around he would let you off with a warning.

Speaking of police cars being fast - my brother was talking about his cruiser being pretty quick. I tossed him the keys to my car and we took it out for a spin. With a big old smile on his face he says "Wow - that thing should be illegal."

[Storms Of War]

Originally posted by TimeLord
I've run against both a Caprice and a Crown Vic at the track in Montreal[Napierville].

The Caprice was low 17,with 2 cops and gear on board at 78mph.

The Vic was 17,7 ,with 3 cops and gear at 75mph.

They aren't fast to accelerate,but they have radios that are faster than any of our cars.

They aren't stock, no way in hell. My friends mom has a Grand Marquis that was owned by a cop. He set it up to be identical to a cop car and that thing screams. It's a beast. I know someone else that bought a former cop car at an auction and he raced my other friend who unfortunately own's a stock mustang 5.0. They drag raced and the grand marquis gave him a good run. I think he may have even won....... at the time i wasn't into cars enough to care. They're also some of the best damn drivers around. On top of that, they got that siren that gets everyone out of their way so traffic isn't really an issue to them.

[TimeLord]

Okay ,,one last time these were COP cars with COPS in them with the computers and guns and all the police equipment!!

I ran against these COP cars and I have given you the times they ran,,you are getting annoying arguementing everything someone says.

You said COP cars were fast,I gave you the info,if you don't want it fine.

I am done,you have too many friends and acquaintences that have done everything and know all.

Enjoy your car ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[Jay 02 TA ws6]

I think I may have just discovered the answer to my own question...

I was out on US-31 - two lane each direction divided highway - and there was no one on the roads. Let's have a little fun, I think... so from 50, I drop it down to 2nd and lay into it. I lay off at about 90 mph in 3rd, and coast back down to speed.

Well, I see a car gaining on me in my rearview pretty quickly. I take the next exit, and sure enough, the car behind me was a cop. Well, I turned onto the road, and into the Taco Bell, and he didn't follow me anymore. I think the cop probbaly just wanted to make his presence known, but I am also guessing he probably liked the show. Even though my radar detector never went off, with the long tube headers and no catalytic converters, I sound like a NASCAR, and anyone within a square mile would know I am driving aggressively.

[Craig 94 TA GT]

Regarding the police car performance, well...they do have performance compared to the average 4 banger, but not much over that. Unless it's custom, a standard Crown Vic or Caprice is not fast...exactly as TimeLord says. They are always at Sears Point's "Race the Cops" program and the fastest I've seen ran a 16.3.
However, there are some awfully quick California Highway Patrol cars here...yup, they're '01 or '02 Z28s lol.

[AmericanZ28]

I got pulled over last week by a white Z28! I was driving my motorcycle on the freeway trying to keep up with this guy that was also on a bike in-front of me. After a while, I hear sirens, and a white camaro fly's by me, and points at me while doing so. He got behind the other guy in the bike, and signaled me to pull over behind him. I had seen 2 cars just earlier that had gotten pulled over, so there must have been a Bacon Fest in the area. I know I could have easily left him in the dust had I chosen to run, but I quickly considered the possible consequences and pulled over instead. Those cars dont have the Z28 badging on them, and have a very thin lights mounted on roof making it kinda hard to spot. I asked the officer what he knew about the car, all he was able to tell me was that it was automatic, and had a Corvette engine in it. "Idiot," I thought, this guy doesnt know anything about the car. Regardless, I got a ticket for 85 in a 65 But im gonna take my chances in court with him, so wish me luck!

[Detroit_Bird]

An interesting tip-

Nearly all police issue Z28's are automatics due to departments not trusting their officers to be able to drive a stick shift adequately.

- I'm sure there are plenty of officers out there who drive a stick great, but nevertheless, I found this kinda funny

[Kevin M]

Sorry, it's a long reply...

100 mph +, well let's see. You'll probably get stopped just so I can check your license/ warrant status. Whether you'll get a ticket, once again, it all depends on the entire ball of wax. Are you:
1. Alone on the road
2. Driving solo, no passenger
3. In a car ready to handle that
4. On a straight away where you're less likely to lose it
5. Getting up there just to see, but then laying off
6. Paying enough attention that you actually see the red lights and not just your speedo.

I could go on, but you kinda see what I'm saying. I've been a street cop for approx. 14 years, and a traffic cop for about 11. I've seen alot and heard a lot of reasonings and excuses. Mostly I can pretty much tell you what you were thinking without you opening your mouth.

It's all about being reasonable. F-body guys aren't the only ones that want to see what their car can do on the road. Everything from minivans, ricemobiles, crotchrockets, and vettes want to see what they can do. If they are endangering someone else, that needs to stop. Sometimes a swift kick in the pants works, sometimes calling mommy and daddy works, and sometimes you just gotta pull out the ticket book. On the other hand, if they are only going to kill themself, a little more leeway is given. At some point we still have to stop you from killing yourself even if you don't understand why I'm "harrassing" you.

As far as cop cars. they're pretty slow. They aren't the Plymouth Furys of yesteryear. These days most are just Ford Police Interceptors, which are slightly altered Crown Vics. The alterings don't increase speed, mostly just toughen the car for abuse. Then you add the flares, extinguishers, cameras, radar, cage, shotgun, rifle, patrol bag, moble data computer, radio, lightbar, defib/ cpr equipment, and a box full of misc equipment, I'm lucky to get the car to go up a hill. The Camaros and motorcycles haul though.

Where I catch up with them is here. #1. Most people are good people and wouldn't even consider not stopping. #2. Not stopping is a super way to to tick me off. There will be no warnings if I gotta go get them. Somethings gonna happen. If they realize in a couple seconds that what they're doing is stupid, they'll probably just get a super size ticket. But if they keep going, they get jail, court, towed, suspended and sued. Plus I'll charge them with everthing I can. Contrary to popular belief, we hate to chase people. #3. If I can't catch them outright, I've got a radio and lots of help. #4. Lastly, even if they do get away, I may have their plate on my camera. I've met people at there house several times and they all tell me, briefly, someone else was driving.

Cop cars are autos because: 1. Two hands on the wheel is safer. 2. Adding extra decisions and making your body do extra things takes away from your concentration. 3. The shifting hand is usually busy operating the radio, turning on various lights, changing up the siren, and typing into the MDC.

Oh, by the way, I love my job.

[Dave M]

Originally posted by Detroit_Bird
An interesting tip-

Nearly all police issue Z28's are automatics due to departments not trusting their officers to be able to drive a stick shift adequately.

Cops are some of the best trained drivers on the road. Police cars are automatics because there are just too many other things going on during a pursuit (and everyday patrolling) to have to worry about shifting.