can police pull over somebody outside their jurisdiction?

Question

i saw a police car from my city pull over somebody in another city

Answer 1

In California, the answer is yes.

Police officers, deputy sheriffs, highway patrol officers and all peace officers defined under California Penal Code 830.2 have jurisdiction anywhere in the state. Generally, city police departments have primary jurisdiction over all criminal offenses - including traffic offenses - that occur within their cities. City police departments often have a traffic enforcement division to fulfill this role. County sheriff's departments are generally primarily responsible for non traffic offenses that occur within unincorporated areas of a county. The California Highway Patrol is the agency primarily responsible for traffic enforcement on all roads and highways within the unincorporated areas of the state. That being said, a peace officer retains law enforcement authority anywhere in the state. For example, an LAPD officer could theoretically stop and ticket you in San Francisco. Would they...unlikely. Could they legally....aboslutely.

FYI - I am an 11 year police veteran with a Southern California sheriff's department.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

That's a real good question. In Georgia, where I police, the answer is yes. Example: I work for a city police department in one county and I live in the next county, and I have a take home patrol car. Now let's say that I'm on the way home at 3 in the morning [yes, that's what time I get off duty] and I'm behind some dude in a pickup truck that's all over the road. Given the time of the morning, one of two things in going on here. Either the guys sleepy, or he's on the way home from the local saloon. Chances are it's the latter. Anyway, let's say that I'm already out of the county I work in. If I feel that this guy is a danger to himself and others, then I'm going to light up his night like a Christmas tree. Once I get him stopped, I'll radio for the local police department or county guys to come take over. I'll have to appear in court as their key witness, but it is well worth it. It does not have to be a drunk driver either to make the stop. Most departments don't like their officers doing traffic stops out of their jurisdictions unless it's really a serious offense. Remember, police departments are all about public safety. Hope that answers your question.

Answer 4

Cops don't stop being cops just because they're out side if the city they patrol. They have the power to pull you over and make an arrest if need be no matter where they are in their state. Most won't unless you do something VERY stupid. They don't want to put up with the hassle and the paper work when their on their own time.

Answer 5

All police officer have statewide jurisdiction in the state they are sworn in. For example a LAPD has jurisdiction all over the state of California; therefore he or she can make an arrest off duty if a crime is committed in there presence.

Answer 6

yes...the police officers are certified by the state...not the city and usually do not while out of jurisdiction, unless someone does something stupid in front of them,then they are allowed and required to stop the violator.

Answer 7

If a blatant crime is committed, they will. They almost always request a car from the town they're in to respond to the scene as well, as to not create jurisdiction issues.

Answer 8

In most states, no.

It depends on what the moving violation was. But usually traffic violations are infractions, and are supposed to be handled by the agency they occurred in.
Of course, the officers may have pulled the vehicle over because it fit the description of one used in a crime.

Answer 9

Yes, they have a 24/7/365 Oath of Safety Duty while in Uniform or on any kind of duty.

Answer 10

Yes if you broke a law in their jurisdiction, and they are pursuing you into another jurisdiction.