Tracking Virginia’s General Assembly
since 2007.
HB231: Law-enforcement officer; uniform requirement for arrests for speeding.
Chief Patron
Del.
John Cosgrove (R-78)
John Cosgrove
(R-78)
Chesapeake, VA
Served: 2002–
Progress
| Introduced | |
| Passed Committee | |
| Passed House | |
| Passed Senate | |
| Signed by Governor | |
| Became Law |
Status
02/11/2008: failed house
Summary
Law-enforcement officer uniform requirement for arrests for speeding. Allows a law-enforcement officer to arrest a person for speeding without the requirement that he wear a uniform, only that he display a badge.
View Full Text »Video
Votes were cast on this bill on the following dates for which Richmond Sunlight has video: 02/11/2008.
Photosynthesis
This bill is being tracked by Fairfax Coalition of Police, VCU School of Social Work, Scott's Morning Brew, Aimee, Jason R., Mark B., M C. and Fairfax Coalition of Police.
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Bill Text
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Comments
No one should have to stop for an unmarked car let alone a unmarked cop. You can buy a badge in a junk store.
Yea. Lets add to the "there's never a cop around when I need one" syndrome. 1/3 of all cops are not uniformed. Current law prohibits them from taking enforcement action. This is a good bill.
This bill has nothing to do with non-uniformed officers charging persons with speeding (or any other traffic violation). It only deals with officers using RADAR or similar devices. Any cop can still arrest (detain an individual for speeding, “a traffic infraction”) based on pacing a speeder in a vehicle with a calibrated speedometer.
Recently we have had several arrests in the state after "plain clothes impersonators" made traffic stops. One man from Annandale Virginia actually had grill lights installed for his impersonations.This is bad legislation that could have deadly consequences. This Delegate needs to stop putting up every horrible idea his cop friends come up with, out as legislation.
While I respect Randy Royer's concern, both current law and this bill do not prevent a non-uniformed law enforcement officer from making a traffic stop. Current law does prevent a law enforcement officer from issuing a speeding ticket while not in uniform. Most police impersonators don't stop motorists with the intent of writing them a ticket -- so I don't think this bill would affect them in any way.
If this law was changed, I am confident that Virginia's chief law enforcement officers would ensure that speed enforcement would continue to be done by uniformed law enforcement officers -- however in the rare circumstance that a non-uniformed officer observed a violation, he would be authorized to take enforcement action. This would be a welcome enhancement to the safety of the highways of the Commonwealth.
Some idiot without a police uniform pulls me over he better approach shooting, because my .45 will be in my hand when he walks up. I see a weapon and he is DEAD. Anyone dumb enough to do such a thing has it coming. Women have been raped on traffic stops, several times by actual law enforcement officers. In one case a sheriff killed the victim to cover up his crime. I carry a gun to protect myself from any attacker, including corrupt, dishonest cops.
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