[ds968]

Not me fortunately, but there seems to be an urban myth out there that sheriff cars can't, or won't stop you for traffic violations and give out tickets. WRONG ! My co-worker was ticketed for speeding on the highway ( and not by a lot.. 10 mph over ) last month, and my friend just got a ticket yesterday for "failing to make a FULL stop" at a sign, before turning right .. ( Lame ! ) But anyway both were Sheriff cars.. so don't ignore them thinking they're not "Police" or "Highway Patrol" and they don't have jurisdiction or legal right to issue citations..

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[banditsc]

Around here if you leave the city limits it's all policed by Sheriffs. The Sheriffs can also police within the city also, since their county wide. So yes, don't challenge a Sheriff to a race at a light.

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[flash]

technically both are correct

here's the way it works:

each agency has jurisdictional areas - they are designated and specified by their local governments - they are assigned to patrol those specific areas - they are instructed to focus on those

HOWEVER, they are all sworn peace officers, and have the authority to enforce anywhere in california - this began back in the days of the berkeley riots - a law was passed so that other agencies could come in and help out when there were insufficient forces locally

the bottom line is that you have to watch out for all of them - they won't generally nail you out of their assigned patrol areas, but if something bugs them enough, they can and will - they might have to explain it to their watch commander though

here's the other tidbit you may not realize - the FIRE DEPARTMENT are also sworn peace officers - that's right! - they can give you a speeding ticket too - lol - i'd just love to see the big engine chasing somebody down on the freeway though

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[kodomokid]

What I would love to see is a sheriff (any cop for that matter) pulling over a city cop for not making a full stop at light or stop sign or for using their lights and siren just to get through an intersection. Or even getting caught by a red light camera! That would be real justice.

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[flash]

i meant to mention that this is the case in california - not sure about other states

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[4matic]

I got a speeding ticket from a fish and game officer.

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[flash]

lol - i got one from a park ranger about 20 years ago - i was on the turbocharged motor cycle and he wanted to nail me for flying without a pilot's license

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[cosimo]

Speaking of sheriffs, I saw one at an on-ramp to the Dulles Toll Rd. He was waiting to bounce. Luckily for me there were cars in front of me as I like to take ramps with some gusto. Hey isn't that why they made them with curves. They also use radar regularly in the Virginia countryside. They know when there is Driving ED or races at the local track (WVA) and line the highway back to Wash, DC. Also one other trivia to note, USPS trucks or vehicles can park anywhere they want to.

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[gryphon]

I, too, have been stopped by local Sheriffs, but not ticketed. I have found them to be really decent guys who do something other cops don't always do--apply judgment to the situation instead of blindly writing you a ticket.

One instance with a Sheriff was when I was stopped doing well over 100 on a sport bike, but on a deserted section of rural highway after midnight. He asked me why I was going so fast and I told him, truthfully, that I was trying out my new toy I purchased the same day. We chatted about life for a few minutes, and he then let me go with a "suggestion" to slow down a bit.

A sad ending to the above story is that this same officer, who's name I remembered, was gunned down by a druggie a few years later, on the same highway. I made a point to attend his funeral.

Tom

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[ds968]

<!--quoteo(post=74754:date=Jun 30 2009, 11:59 AM:name=4matic)-->QUOTE (4matic @ Jun 30 2009, 11:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I got a speeding ticket from a fish and game officer.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif[/img] now that "officer " has some serious power trip / authority ego issues to work out.

<!--quoteo(post=74765:date=Jun 30 2009, 01:37 PM:name=gryphon)-->QUOTE (gryphon @ Jun 30 2009, 01:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I have found them to be really decent guys who do something other cops don't always do--apply judgment to the situation instead of blindly writing you a ticket.
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A sad ending to the above story is that this same officer, who's name I remembered, was gunned down by a druggie a few years later, on the same highway. I made a point to attend his funeral.
Tom<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

That's my impression as well. There are always exceptions to the rule of course..
---------------------------------
Sad story, it seems like this happens mostly to decent people, while a-holes manage to keep going, and going..making others lives miserable without any bad luck circling back to them..

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[gryphon]

The "good" news I forgot to mention, is that the druggie also stole the officer's hand gun and it was found in his trunk when he was stopped. I think that may have aided the prosecutors a bit in getting him a life sentence.

Tom

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[flash]

ds - that's because people fail to become a part of the solution, and therefore become a part of the problem - if you see something, report it - don't let it go

by the way, that is the law here in california too

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