Class "c" (only has the emblem under the passenger side mirror) low marked MN State Patrol SUV caught on my Rexing dash cam
Lowmarked MN State Patrol SUV
- Thread starter tsquale
- Start date
Assume this is the least marked a MN police cruiser can be if primarily a traffic unit?
...And I need to mention that what we all really want to see is the video of you doing something crazy on his dash cam.
You are correct. Minnesota state statute is very specific when it comes to markings for sworn law enforcement agencies as well as security services (can't look anything like law enforcement). Below is this particular statute:
169.98
Subd. 2.Specially marked patrol vehicle. The commissioner of public safety may authorize the use of specially marked State Patrol vehicles, that have only a marking composed of a shield on the right door with the words inscribed thereon "Minnesota State Patrol" for primary use in the enforcement of highway traffic rules when in the judgment of the commissioner of public safety the use of specially marked State Patrol vehicles will contribute to the safety of the traveling public. The number of such specially marked State Patrol vehicles used in the enforcement of highway traffic rules shall not exceed ten percent of the total number of State Patrol vehicles used in traffic law enforcement. All specially marked State Patrol vehicles shall be operated by uniformed members of the State Patrol and so equipped and operated as to clearly indicate to the driver of a car which is signaled to stop that the specially marked State Patrol vehicle is being operated by the State Patrol.
Subd. 2a.Specially marked police or sheriff vehicle. The chief of police of a home rule or statutory city, and the sheriff of a county, may authorize within the jurisdiction the use of specially marked police or sheriff's vehicles for primary use in the enforcement of highway traffic laws and ordinances when in the judgment of the chief of police or sheriff the use of specially marked vehicles will contribute to the safety of the traveling public. A specially marked vehicle is a vehicle that is marked only with the shield of the city or county and the name of the proper authority on the right front door of the vehicle. The number of specially marked vehicles owned by a police department of a city of the first class may not exceed ten percent of the total number of vehicles used by that police department in traffic law enforcement, and a city or county that uses fewer than 11 vehicles in traffic law enforcement may not own more than one specially marked vehicle. A specially marked vehicle may be operated only by a uniformed officer and must be equipped and operated to indicate clearly to the driver of a vehicle signaled to stop that the specially marked vehicle is being operated by a police department or sheriff's office.
169.98
Subd. 2.Specially marked patrol vehicle. The commissioner of public safety may authorize the use of specially marked State Patrol vehicles, that have only a marking composed of a shield on the right door with the words inscribed thereon "Minnesota State Patrol" for primary use in the enforcement of highway traffic rules when in the judgment of the commissioner of public safety the use of specially marked State Patrol vehicles will contribute to the safety of the traveling public. The number of such specially marked State Patrol vehicles used in the enforcement of highway traffic rules shall not exceed ten percent of the total number of State Patrol vehicles used in traffic law enforcement. All specially marked State Patrol vehicles shall be operated by uniformed members of the State Patrol and so equipped and operated as to clearly indicate to the driver of a car which is signaled to stop that the specially marked State Patrol vehicle is being operated by the State Patrol.
Subd. 2a.Specially marked police or sheriff vehicle. The chief of police of a home rule or statutory city, and the sheriff of a county, may authorize within the jurisdiction the use of specially marked police or sheriff's vehicles for primary use in the enforcement of highway traffic laws and ordinances when in the judgment of the chief of police or sheriff the use of specially marked vehicles will contribute to the safety of the traveling public. A specially marked vehicle is a vehicle that is marked only with the shield of the city or county and the name of the proper authority on the right front door of the vehicle. The number of specially marked vehicles owned by a police department of a city of the first class may not exceed ten percent of the total number of vehicles used by that police department in traffic law enforcement, and a city or county that uses fewer than 11 vehicles in traffic law enforcement may not own more than one specially marked vehicle. A specially marked vehicle may be operated only by a uniformed officer and must be equipped and operated to indicate clearly to the driver of a vehicle signaled to stop that the specially marked vehicle is being operated by a police department or sheriff's office.
I know Georgia has a similar law. In Virginia, on the other hand, it seems like close to half the state police cars are unmarked (doubt it's actually half but it's a significant percentage).