In States with Cell Phone Laws, Question?

[DawnCt1]

Are the state and local police exempt from following those same laws? Here in Ct the fine is sizable and increases with each incident. In the last three weeks I have seen several police officers talking on their cell phone, smiling, nodding, looks like a social call to me. When they are on official business, would they not use a radio? Would they not have a bluetooth built into the car? Just wondering.

 

[monorailsilver]

I don't know what other states rules are but it really bugs the $*!^ out of me when I am driving down 95 or Rt. 9 & see a cop chit chatting on the phone.

About 1 month or so ago I saw a cop on 95 in Orange talking on his phone & get got off at the rest stop there. I had my camera but it was in the back of the car otherwise I would of taken a picture (my dh was driving).

His phone would not of taken a good picture & I don't even know if mine takes pictures.

 

[noodles]

I have been told in Washington State they are exempt.

 

[DawnCt1]

I have been told in Washington State they are exempt.

They should be exempt for official business, but I have seen some conversations that are too long and too animated to be considered "work".

 

[akcire]

Ugh....this is the story that really gets me. This Illinois State Trooper was driving at 126 miles an hour, talking on his personal phone to his girlfriend while sending email on the in unit computer. He went over the median, killed two girls (I think the family was on Oprah), and is now suing the state for disability.

Seriously, there should be a special kind of hell for people like this.

Here is one of the articles:
http://www.chicagoduilawyerblog.net/2010/10/former-illinois-state-trooper.html

 

[AshleyW]

You never know, they might be talking to the Command Desk or Dispatch back at the station. I work in Dispatch here, and a lot of officers will call in if they need to give us information that is too sensitive (social security numbers, sexual assault information, etc) to go over the radio. While they're on the line with us, sometime's they'll give us updates about previous calls we sent them on - and yeah, it probably looks like a personal phone call, because they're laughing their butts off. But with some of the calls we get... the updates are hilarious.

 

[MickeySP]

There are things that are to sensitive to be put ot on the air. Remember the news media listens to radios to. So do you want the media at someones house to let them know about their loved ones accident, fatal or other misfortune before they can be notified?
Or responding to a silent alarm when the bad guys have scanners? Or a home invasion?
These things happen - alot more than the general public knows.

There are abuses in every walk of life but cell phones can be a vital tool of notification when needed.

So if I smile because of something a coworker says while I am being told of something that makes the whole conversation casual. As far as too long, have you ever coordinated a STOP team or divers or SERT - when you have multiple agencies involved there are no short calls.

However texting is a HUGE no-no!!!

 

[BillSears]

I think the general rule of thumb for police officers is:

It's only illegal if somone is willing to enforce it.

And no police officer will ever pull over another officer for a traffic violation.

 

[MickeySP]

I think the general rule of thumb for police officers is:

It's only illegal if somone is willing to enforce it.

And no police officer will ever pull over another officer for a traffic violation.

This is so very not true. BTDT so I KNOW it is not true. If a superior sees an officer violating a rule they are very often asked to do a to/from explaining their actions.

 

[onelilspark]

This is one of my biggest pet peeves. There is no reason I can't talk on my cell (I use a headset, not really a big deal for me) and a cop can. Unless his lights are flashing and is on his way to a call, he needs to pull over or use a headset like the rest of us...and if he is on his way, he still should be using the headset. I don't particularly care if it's for official business or personal, but if it's important enough for it to be law, then everyone needs to follow it, no exemptions.

 

[DawnCt1]

You never know, they might be talking to the Command Desk or Dispatch back at the station. I work in Dispatch here, and a lot of officers will call in if they need to give us information that is too sensitive (social security numbers, sexual assault information, etc) to go over the radio. While they're on the line with us, sometime's they'll give us updates about previous calls we sent them on - and yeah, it probably looks like a personal phone call, because they're laughing their butts off. But with some of the calls we get... the updates are hilarious.

I understand that to a point. One can give their own SS# while driving down the road, but if they are giving someone else's SS#, then they are probably reading it from something.....like a computer screen while driving?

 

[DawnCt1]

This is one of my biggest pet peeves. There is no reason I can't talk on my cell (I use a headset, not really a big deal for me) and a cop can. Unless his lights are flashing and is on his way to a call, he needs to pull over or use a headset like the rest of us...and if he is on his way, he still should be using the headset. I don't particularly care if it's for official business or personal, but if it's important enough for it to be law, then everyone needs to follow it, no exemptions.

I agree. I have a blue tooth through my car. I use it a lot. It is far less distracting that having a conversation with a passenger in the seat next to me.

 

[MickeySP]

There are times when info & assignments need to be non-radio. Lights & siren are not always used for a reason, sometime surreptious arrival is key. Sometimes time is of the essence and pulling over is not an option - kidnaps, medicals, armed home invasions where a Mom & children are raped & killed - this is REAL life.

If I give out the address of that over a radio, the media gets it, they are there before I can get a team together to set a perimeter, what do think happens? If you think this is not true - you are naive.

A road stop, is done with a pull over, but not all things cops respond to are a simple roadside stop.

Okay I am done with this because I see the handwriting on the wall, it is a non-arguement. It was really not a question to which an answer was expected but a chance to diatribe the evil of cops & cell phones.

BTW that Tpr in IL should not only not get his pension he should be in jail.

 

[okeydokey]

There are times when info & assignments need to be non-radio. Lights & siren are not always used for a reason, sometime surreptious arrival is key. Sometimes time is of the essence and pulling over is not an option - kidnaps, medicals, armed home invasions where a Mom & children are raped & killed - this is REAL life.

If I give out the address of that over a radio, the media gets it, they are there before I can get a team together to set a perimeter, what do think happens? If you think this is not true - you are naive.

A road stop, is done with a pull over, but not all things cops respond to are a simple roadside stop.

Okay I am done with this because I see the handwriting on the wall, it is a non-arguement. It was really not a question to which an answer was expected but a chance to diatribe the evil of cops & cell phones.

BTW that Tpr in IL should not only not get his pension he should be in jail.

That's exactly what it is.

 

[daughtersrus]

Are the state and local police exempt from following those same laws? Here in Ct the fine is sizable and increases with each incident. In the last three weeks I have seen several police officers talking on their cell phone, smiling, nodding, looks like a social call to me. When they are on official business, would they not use a radio? Would they not have a bluetooth built into the car? Just wondering.

In IL, they are exempt. They are also allowed to use their computer while driving.

 

[AshleyW]

I understand that to a point. One can give their own SS# while driving down the road, but if they are giving someone else's SS#, then they are probably reading it from something.....like a computer screen while driving?

Yup, a computer screen. That is how our officers get their assignments. We read it to them quickly over the radio, and then it gets sent to the computer in their car. Their maps of the city are also on the computer, which they look at while driving.

It's not much different than looking at a personal GPS (or a map or directions or anything like that) while driving.

 

[Colleen27]

I think in a lot of places they would be exempt since cell phones/direct connect type services have all but replaced traditional radio dispatch. But just like anything else dealing with any significant number of people, there will be those who don't care about the intent of the exemption (to allow work-related communication) and see it as carte blanche to chat away on personal calls as well.

 

[mdsoccermom]

They should be exempt for official business, but I have seen some conversations that are too long and too animated to be considered "work".

Really? Do you have a chart which states at what time period a phone conversation shifts from work to personal? I would also like to know the right level of animation for a work conversation.

Unless you have been involved in law enforcement, I wouldn't make judgements about what they are doing.

 

[Heidict]

I think they are exempt here Dawn. I remember looking this info up a while ago because it bugged me also.

I can understand them having to use a cell phone while working and I know that some of those calls are personal. I'm not stupid. What really gets me ticked is that some of them don't wear seatbelts, don't use their blinkers, turn on red when the sign says you can't (yes, I know some may be on a call) and of course the ones who tailgate you when you are driving the speed limit.

 

[dvcblt93]

I think next time the OP sees this, she should get out of her car, tap on the cop's window, and when he rolls it down just ask....."Excuse me, are you on a personal call?"