I was driving last night around 3 am, and one of those white police forensic trucks were parked on the side of this empty(but well lit) downtown road. He was standing in the road holding a flashlight to me as I drove by. (I also had both the interior lights on inside my car because I was looking for something)... what was this all about? Checking for seatbelts, maybe?
Also, do you have to turn off your engine if a cop pulls you over?
2007-06-22 22:54:16 · 9 answers · asked by hippiechild 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
A PD forensic truck isn't going to pull you over for a seatbelt violation. They were probably looking for someone who was supposed to be in the area, and he was trying to get a look at you to see who you were.
It's a wise idea to turn your engine off when you have been pulled over. It's not a law, but you should do it anyway.
2007-06-22 22:59:36 · answer #1 · answered by dh1977 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, police assigned to forensics often enforce seatbelt laws. You're all over it! SINCE it was 3 am when that seatbelt-law enforcing forensics cop shone his flashlight into your already illuminated vehicle, we can only assume that he was trying to momentarily blind you. The forensic cops often do this as a joke. They are funny guys!
As for the engine part of your question ...
Not ONLY do you have to turn it off, but you have to physically remove it from the vehicle. Did you do that?
2007-06-23 07:06:17 · answer #2 · answered by Just_One_Man's_Opinion 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The officer might have been looking for something such as evidence from a case. I am unsure if he was checking for seat belts because I do not know what state you live in. Officers in some states are not allowed to pull a person over for not wearing a seat belt. Ohio is one state that that officers can not pull a person over for a seat belt violation. They can cite you for not wearing one though.
My advise regarding the engine. Do what the officer tells you to do during the stop. All officers will not conduct a stop the same. Though one thing applies to all officers ...safety.
2007-06-23 06:13:02 · answer #3 · answered by sabenha2 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Could have been looking for a particular suspect or people who match the description of a suspect they are looking for. Could have been checking seatbelts as well....If the officer asks you to turn off the engine theres probably a good reason for it..(ie ...cant hear you from engine noise or he believes you may drive away)..Better off just turning it off if asked....
2007-06-23 08:16:27 · answer #4 · answered by Masonic Knight 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
considering it was the forensics truck i would say there was a death of some sort be it homicide or suicide. he was probably shinning the light at you car so your eyes would look at the light instead of possibly seing the body. The deceased should have some dignity. I personally have done the same thing, when we are waiting for the coroner after a fatal accident at night.
2007-06-24 20:27:49 · answer #5 · answered by eng98ine 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The police sometimes use the forensic vehicle as a D.U.I. check point vehicle. They could have used as one of the guide lines checking for seat belt violations, and checking to see if there were any obvious signs of intoxication. As for shutting your vehicle off, this is your choice. BUT if you're instructed by the cop to shut your vehicle off, well I'd take the request serious and shut my vehicle off.
2007-06-23 06:05:28 · answer #6 · answered by GRUMPY 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it's a 24 hr job. you are lucky not to have received a ticket for the interior light being on
2007-06-25 08:55:35 · answer #7 · answered by cheri h 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i usually shut my truck off, that way the officer has one less thing to worry about~~ like the chance that i would drive off, turning the truck on would be his clue!
2007-06-23 06:31:33 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
making sure you are safe.Yes.
2007-06-23 05:59:34 · answer #9 · answered by Zavier Tymil Waters 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋