In States with Cell Phone Laws, Question?

[DawnCt1]

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.

All of the above. There is enough technology in a police car to equip it with factory installed blue tooth. If we can't hold a cell phone in our hands traveling at the speed limit, why are cops any more capable often traveling at higher speeds.

 

[DawnCt1]

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?"

If he is parked, he is obeying the same law that I am compelled to obey.

 

[AshleyW]

All of the above. There is enough technology in a police car to equip it with factory installed blue tooth. If we can't hold a cell phone in our hands traveling at the speed limit, why are cops any more capable often traveling at higher speeds.

I don't see the difference between holding a cell phone in their hand and holding a W/T in their hand, which is what they've always done, prior to cell phones.

 

[tvguy]

All of the above. There is enough technology in a police car to equip it with factory installed blue tooth. If we can't hold a cell phone in our hands traveling at the speed limit, why are cops any more capable often traveling at higher speeds.

It's an officer safety issue. A flashing light on a blue tooth on an officers ear at night makes him stand out when he or she is out of his vehicle. Plus they already have an ear bud in one ear for their portable radio, they need to keep the other ear free.

California exempts Police, Fire and Ambulance crews from the hands free law.

 

[pixiewings71]

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.

I don't agree that this is simply a chance to diatribe the evil of cops & cell phones at all. In CA it's illegal to talk or text while driving, you can talk only with the use of a blue tooth device or while pulled over and stopped. I absolutely 100% feel that if it's the law for me to use a hands free device then it should be the law for officers to use them as well. In most instances they are driving faster with one hand then I ever have with both, IMO it's more dangerous for officers to not use blue tooth units then it is for anyone else not to use them. Of course I support the no talk/text laws but I still feel that everyone should be subject to the laws, not just civilians. And yes, I know quite a few people in law enforcement (both civilian and military), they agree with me, they use blue tooth devices while driving.

All of the above. There is enough technology in a police car to equip it with factory installed blue tooth. If we can't hold a cell phone in our hands traveling at the speed limit, why are cops any more capable often traveling at higher speeds.

ITA! Every police car should be equip with blue tooth, it should absolutely be standard in EVERY car. Especially all the brand new ones out there.

I don't see the difference between holding a cell phone in their hand and holding a W/T in their hand, which is what they've always done, prior to cell phones.

You're right, it's not different but holding a walkie talkie wasn't any safer then holding a cell phone is. In the past the only option was a walkie talkie, now we have much safer options and they should be utilized.

 

[tvguy]

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.

Yes, we in the media do listen in, but the number of private citizens with scanners far out number us in the media. And if you go to radio reference dot com you can listen to almost any police or fire agency in the nation on your computer. Also most police cars , fire trucks, and ambulance have scanners in them so overlapping and bordering agencies can hear what is going on. The later is the reason while agencies don't encrypt or scramble their signals.....an outside agency rolling onto a scene NEEDS to know what is going on RIGHT NOW, (things like shots fired) they can't wait for the sheriff dispatch to hear something on their radio, then notify the fire department over a hotline, and then have a fire dispatcher relay that information over their radios.

While police are exempt here from the hands free law, all confidential information here is sent over the in car computer terminal, not cell phone. Police here mostly use cell phones to talk directly to reporting parties while enroute to a call.

 

[mrsltg]

What really gets me ticked is that some of them don't wear seatbelts,

Here's the why on the seatbelt issue. The buckle on the seatbelt sits against the gun which is very often on the right hip. It's uncomfortable to say the least. More importantly, though, is the need to be able to exit the car quickly and not deal with a seatbelt. Yes, those extra couple of seconds can make a huge difference.

In response to the OP, here they are not supposed to be on the phone while driving unless they are on official business. When I call DH and work and he is driving, he will tell me to hold on while he pulls over. He does use his signal and does obey traffic laws.

 

[C.Ann]

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

Well that is certainly a fine example of why (laws or no laws) they should be paying attention to what they're doing - performing their job - and not mixing it with their personal lives..

How awful..

 

[ctinct]

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.

My personal pet peeve in general, but especially so for police officers. I was behind one the other day, and after the first two, I started counting. We made nine of the same turns. He didn't use his blinker for a single one.

 

[DawnCt1]

It's an officer safety issue. A flashing light on a blue tooth on an officers ear at night makes him stand out when he or she is out of his vehicle. Plus they already have an ear bud in one ear for their portable radio, they need to keep the other ear free.

California exempts Police, Fire and Ambulance crews from the hands free law.

A flashing light on a blue tooth? I have blue tooth right through my vehicle. I talk into a speaker in front of me and here it through the speakers in the car. Its readily available technology.

 

[tvguy]

A flashing light on a blue tooth? I have blue tooth right through my vehicle. I talk into a speaker in front of me and here it through the speakers in the car. Its readily available technology.

Probably not a good idea for police, as others have noted confidential information is often given over the phone, stuff you don't want folks near the patrol car, (or handcuffed in the back seat) to hear.
Also, at the start of every shift every officer would need to "learn" their phone to the patrol car that their assigned to for that night's blue tooth system.

 

[CajunDixie]

A flashing light on a blue tooth? I have blue tooth right through my vehicle. I talk into a speaker in front of me and here it through the speakers in the car. Its readily available technology.

So if the phone goes through the speakers in the car, what happens when there is a dispatch? It can't be and either or deal.

 

[pixiewings71]

Probably not a good idea for police, as others have noted confidential information is often given over the phone, stuff you don't want folks near the patrol car, (or handcuffed in the back seat) to hear.
Also, at the start of every shift every officer would need to "learn" their phone to the patrol car that their assigned to for that night's blue tooth system.

Well obviously an officer would need to use discretion in giving information out. If he's got ANYONE in his (and I'm just using a general his, not dissing the female officers out there) vehicle, especially handcuffed in the backseat, there is NO reason to give any personal information via phone! And that would make absolutely NO difference whether the officer was using a blue tooth or simply holding his phone by his ear, if someone is in the backseat they can still hear the officer speaking on his phone. If the patrol car is in motion people outside the vehicle can't hear the officer's conversation, unless his windows are down and he's screaming so I don't feel your "argument" (I know you aren't really arguing, just pointing out your opinions, that's why I put argument in quotes) is very valid. As for having to program your phone every time to the blue tooth in the car, again, not a valid point. I have a blue tooth unit that's programmed to my phone, I can take it into ANY car I drive and I do not have to program it again. I agree that the PP's suggestion of using the car's speakers would make it necessary to program the blue tooth/phone but if you have a seperate ear piece that you keep with you then there is no need to reprogram anything. And to suggest that the small blue light on the ear piece could cause problems to the officers, I think that's ridiculous, that small blue light can be in anyone's ear, in anyone's car so again, that invalidates that reason not to use them. and yes, officers here (and other emergency personell) are exempt but I do not agree with that at all. As I said earlier, the officer heading to a call is driving much faster then I am, I'm not allowed to use my phone without blue tooth but he is? IMO his situation is much more dangerous then mine is.

So if the phone goes through the speakers in the car, what happens when there is a dispatch? It can't be and either or deal.

I would imagine that dispatch can send a message thru the car speakers or thru the computers that all police vehicles have. I would also imagine that if an officer was on the phone and the call was going thru the speakers that any dispatch call would take precedence and the officer's phone call would cut out. But I don't know, I'm not a police officer or dispatcher so I really have no idea.

 

[tvguy]

As for having to program your phone every time to the blue tooth in the car, again, not a valid point. I have a blue tooth unit that's programmed to my phone, I can take it into ANY car I drive and I do not have to program it again.
I WAS REFERRING TO A BLUE TOOTH SYSTEM BUILT INTO A PATROL CAR, WITH EACH OFFICER HAVING THEIR OWN INDIVIDUAL CELL PHONE, AND NOT NECESSARILY HAVE THE SAME CAR EVERY SHIFT. THE SYSTEM WOULD HAVE TO BE PROGRAMMED EVERYTIME ANOTHER OFFICER WITH HIS OWN CELL PHONE GOT IN
And to suggest that the small blue light on the ear piece could cause problems to the officers, I think that's ridiculous, that small blue light can be in anyone's ear, in anyone's car so again, that invalidates that reason not to use them.
NO OFFENSE, BUT THAT'S HARDLY RIDICULOUS, IT'S A SERIOUS SITUATION THAT COULD PUT AN OFFICERS LIFE IN JEOPARDY. IN THE PITCH DARK, SEARCHING FOR A POTENTIALLYARMED SUSPECT WHO IS HIDING, THE OFFICER'S POSITION WOULD BE INDICATED BY THAT LIGHT EVERY FEW SECONDS. THE ELEMENT OF SURPRISE IS A TOOL THE OFFICER NEEDS

.

 

[livie1205]

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

Are you freaking kidding me?! How the heck would YOU know (in another car) what they are speaking about? There are LOTS of things they talk about on their phones and not on the radio, I cant tell you how many times my dh had his bosses tell him "hey call me on your cell" there are good reasons for that...just because you do not know does not make it wrong! Do you have a clue about L.E. other then trying to fight a ticket? They also use the computers in their car...they can not stop to do that all the time, sometimes they are following a map or getting info about a call they are going to that they HAVE to know before they get there.
Now I know you are not going to come on and say "ok maybe I jumped the gun" but you are just plain wrong.you can give whatever reply I dont care but you are wrong....and I dont just say that to alot of people.This is a very touchy subject...tell a wife of a LEO how her dh may be wrong for using that phone to find out if there is danger where he is going or walking in to(that they dont want the news to know yet) ..see what kind of response you get....you just got mine.

 

[livie1205]

Well obviously an officer would need to use discretion in giving information out. If he's got ANYONE in his (and I'm just using a general his, not dissing the female officers out there) vehicle, especially handcuffed in the backseat, there is NO reason to give any personal information via phone! And that would make absolutely NO difference whether the officer was using a blue tooth or simply holding his phone by his ear, if someone is in the backseat they can still hear the officer speaking on his phone. If the patrol car is in motion people outside the vehicle can't hear the officer's conversation, unless his windows are down and he's screaming so I don't feel your "argument" (I know you aren't really arguing, just pointing out your opinions, that's why I put argument in quotes) is very valid. As for having to program your phone every time to the blue tooth in the car, again, not a valid point. I have a blue tooth unit that's programmed to my phone, I can take it into ANY car I drive and I do not have to program it again. I agree that the PP's suggestion of using the car's speakers would make it necessary to program the blue tooth/phone but if you have a seperate ear piece that you keep with you then there is no need to reprogram anything. And to suggest that the small blue light on the ear piece could cause problems to the officers, I think that's ridiculous, that small blue light can be in anyone's ear, in anyone's car so again, that invalidates that reason not to use them. and yes, officers here (and other emergency personell) are exempt but I do not agree with that at all. As I said earlier, the officer heading to a call is driving much faster then I am, I'm not allowed to use my phone without blue tooth but he is? IMO his situation is much more dangerous then mine is.



I would imagine that dispatch can send a message thru the car speakers or thru the computers that all police vehicles have. I would also imagine that if an officer was on the phone and the call was going thru the speakers that any dispatch call would take precedence and the officer's phone call would cut out. But I don't know, I'm not a police officer or dispatcher so I really have no idea.

calls are NOT dispatched through car speakers nor can they be...yes a blue light can be unsafe for cops trying to sneak up on someone which they do.

 

[livie1205]

All of the above. There is enough technology in a police car to equip it with factory installed blue tooth. If we can't hold a cell phone in our hands traveling at the speed limit, why are cops any more capable often traveling at higher speeds.

REALLY? are YOU going to pay for that? I know people here will be going without raises this year because of budgets...so HOW do you think they should pay for this new "technology" ? maybe you should go through a citiz acadamy at your local SD or PD? It would help you better understand why they do the things they do...if your not willing to try that maybe lay off the cop bashing for a while!!

 

[donaldduck352]

I'm gonna by-pass all the posts in this thread to tell a true story.

In Fla it is against the law to talk or text on a cell.

BUT,I was doing work at a deputy's house and her boyfriend,another deputy,called her on the cell and she had the cell on speaker.I heard this:"I'm pulling this idiot over,when I'm done does so and so rest take credit cards....

I say it like this,if its the law,they should follow it themselves.Lead by example!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[livie1205]

I'm gonna by-pass all the posts in this thread to tell a true story.

In Fla it is against the law to talk or text on a cell.

BUT,I was doing work at a deputy's house and her boyfriend,another deputy,called her on the cell and she had the cell on speaker.I heard this:"I'm pulling this idiot over,when I'm done does so and so rest take credit cards....

I say it like this,if its the law,they should follow it themselves.Lead by example!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do you know this guy was not sitting on the side of the rd running radar? Did he say hey Im driving and pulling someone over? ok then.

 

[donaldduck352]

Do you know this guy was not sitting on the side of the rd running radar? Did he say hey Im driving and pulling someone over? ok then.

Don't know,don't care.How many times have you seen a cop doing a rolling stop.We do it=A TICHKET every time...

Like I said,LEAD BY EXAMPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They are the law,then they should follow the rules they enforce..Simple,too the point and said...