Private use of official cars ?

[churchmouse]

I agree in theory. Up here though the trend has been towards cars that are not easily identified as police cars. That kind of negates much of that benefit.

I have seen more SUV's and such in the outlying areas as well.
Still.......perks of the job.

 

[churchmouse]

I only get jealous because I want to taze someone too

Good thinking.

 

[Birds Away]

They have one of the crappiest jobs I can imagine. Now they have to worry both on duty and off whether some jackwagon wants to become famous by shooting a cop. They should get a take home car, free gas and a big bump in pay IMHO.

 

[lovemachine]

Does your position change if the Officer pays for the ability to use the car off-duty?

Yes. With the crap LEO's have to deal with, you shouldn't have to pay extra for that ability.

 

[GlockRock]

When I was hired (January 05) I was told my take home car was valued at $5,000 a year. I could use it off duty as long as I stayed within surrounding counties. My starting salary was $22,500. I was single and used it to run errands and go to the grocery store. Once I got married I didn't use it as much because it's dirty. Think about all the nasty people that have pissed and **** in the seat where my wife would sit. Plus every time I'd use it I'd come across a wreck or something. Not worth the hassle to deal with it when I'm off duty. When my current Sheriiff came in office January 2015, he made off duty use in county only and no family members can ride with us. I have no issue with it.
I've never agreed with guys squad car being their only vehicle. We had a couple of guys that didn't own any other vehicles and would show up to work with 2 car seats in the back and a booster up front. They'd never transport prisoners because of the car seats. Police presence is a positive thing, until it's abused and cost taxpayers more than it's worth.

 

[SMiller]

Just the thought of having to make contact with every vehicle on the side of the road would be enough for me to drive something else.

 

[Kutnupe14]

Just the thought of having to make contact with every vehicle on the side of the road would be enough for me to drive something else.

Ding!

 

[jsharmon7]

I understand the rub when folks see police using municipal vehicles to work part-time jobs but it really does serve two roles. If a business wants to pay an officer part-time there is usually a good reason. If the privately paid officer is serving a purpose for the business then it's probably easing the run load for the guys who are working their regular shift since they don't have to respond for service. It's very similar to the recent thread about the crime issues at Walmart. If Walmart pays part-time wages to an officer to sit at the store in a marked vehicle then it's easing the run load for the on-duty folks and everybody wins. As far as construction zones, it helps with the safety of the workers and it doesn't end up with road crews yelling at the local police about dangerous drivers.

I also agree with the "part of their pay" argument. I never drive mine off-duty but one of my extra responsibilities at my department may require me to get out of bed at 2am and respond to an emergency. Should that issue arise I already have my car and I can be there quickly.

 

[UTL]

I've recovered 2 stolen vehicles in the past year, Off duty in a marked patrol car. I noticed something wasnt right in both situations and ran the plates, they came back stolen. I call the local PD and have them come make the stop. Not only that people drive like they are the nicest of people on the interstate when a marked car is around. No one hardly ever sits in the left hand lane with a marked cruiser behind them. As for using the vehicles off duty, I can sit at a construction site with the car running for 8 hours and it uses about 6.00 in gas. Wear and tear is a non issue as after 3 years they are sold for 1500.00-2000.00 anyway with around 110kish miles.

 

[GlockRock]

I understand the rub when folks see police using municipal vehicles to work part-time jobs but it really does serve two roles. If a business wants to pay an officer part-time there is usually a good reason. If the privately paid officer is serving a purpose for the business then it's probably easing the run load for the guys who are working their regular shift since they don't have to respond for service. It's very similar to the recent thread about the crime issues at Walmart. If Walmart pays part-time wages to an officer to sit at the store in a marked vehicle then it's easing the run load for the on-duty folks and everybody wins. As far as construction zones, it helps with the safety of the workers and it doesn't end up with road crews yelling at the local police about dangerous drivers.

I also agree with the "part of their pay" argument. I never drive mine off-duty but one of my extra responsibilities at my department may require me to get out of bed at 2am and respond to an emergency. Should that issue arise I already have my car and I can be there quickly.

I agree with the take home car completely. I've been called out a ton because of my responsibilities and position on my Dept. We have 11 road officers for the county. It's pretty common to call out off duty guys for backup. Having all my gear ready to go is invaluable.
What I dont agree with is unlimited use of the vehicle at the expense of taxpayers when the get very little to nothing in return.

 

[KLB]

I have seen more SUV's and such in the outlying areas as well.
Still.......perks of the job.

Don't get me wrong, I have no issue with them taking the cars and using them. It just doesn't help as much in that one way in some places at it used to.

 

[Frank_N_Stein]

I agree with the take home car completely. I've been called out a ton because of my responsibilities and position on my Dept. We have 11 road officers for the county. It's pretty common to call out off duty guys for backup. Having all my gear ready to go is invaluable.
What I dont agree with is unlimited use of the vehicle at the expense of taxpayers when the get very little to nothing in return.

Ask the lady whose arm was amputated (aka ripped off) during a crash on the interstate if she got anything in return from the off-duty officer that applied the tourniquet.

 

[GlockRock]

Ask the lady whose arm was amputated (aka ripped off) during a crash on the interstate if she got anything in return from the off-duty officer that applied the tourniquet.

i get it. there are times when it is great to have an off duty officer show up at a crash. My argument is for the officers that haul their entire family in their cars and would t stop for anything. I've seen it several times.
BTW, I carry a tourniquet in my POV with me.

 

[JettaKnight]

My Dad and his crew used to get all twisted up about this.
It just turns out to be jealousy that someone is "Getting" something they aren't.
Things like "I have to pay for my car why pay for theirs" kind of thing.
Well, so do I but I see no issues with it.
I think I saw something a year or so ago that it costs each tax payer (tax payer not welfare leach) about $2 annually for this perk. I could be way off on this.
Anybody...???
Beuller........Beuller.....

QFT

 

[Denny347]

I pay to drive it off duty, I will use it as I see fit...family with me or not.

 

[Gabriel]

I understand the rub when folks see police using municipal vehicles to work part-time jobs but it really does serve two roles. If a business wants to pay an officer part-time there is usually a good reason. If the privately paid officer is serving a purpose for the business then it's probably easing the run load for the guys who are working their regular shift since they don't have to respond for service. It's very similar to the recent thread about the crime issues at Walmart. If Walmart pays part-time wages to an officer to sit at the store in a marked vehicle then it's easing the run load for the on-duty folks and everybody wins. As far as construction zones, it helps with the safety of the workers and it doesn't end up with road crews yelling at the local police about dangerous drivers.

I also agree with the "part of their pay" argument. I never drive mine off-duty but one of my extra responsibilities at my department may require me to get out of bed at 2am and respond to an emergency. Should that issue arise I already have my car and I can be there quickly.

Agreed. I don't drive mine off duty either ( I can get errands run faster in my personal vehicle since I'm not constantly stuck behind someone going five - ten miles an hours under the speed limit because they are afraid of getting pulled over for speeding), but I am on call all the time and have my vehicle at home with my equipment in it ready to go.

 

[Tryin']

I work for a tiny department. Those who have take-home units use them for a variety of things, including off-duty details. When in the hiring process, this use is specifically named as a benefit and is approved by the town board. Being such a small department, everybody is on call at pretty much all times. If you're in a department vehicle, you must have your radio, ID, and a firearm in case you are called upon to perform police duties. Use is restricted to the State of Indiana, and "unofficially" restricted to "please put gas in the car if you use it off-duty". No one seems to have much of a problem with it except for a few members of the community who want to see the entire profession of Police Officer completely abolished.

 

[hoosierdoc]

Once in a while I take an ambulance home from work. It's awesome to have the lights and sirens but once in a while people seem REALLY eager to get me to drive over to them. I mean jumping, waving, pointing, all kinds of motions. One even made a choking gesture when I kept driving. Yeesh, just let me drive and stop threatening me.

 

[Frank_N_Stein]

Once in a while I take an ambulance home from work. It's awesome to have the lights and sirens but once in a while people seem REALLY eager to get me to drive over to them. I mean jumping, waving, pointing, all kinds of motions. One even made a chocking gesture when I kept driving. Yeesh, just let me drive and stop threatening me.

Not helping!

 

[Gabriel]

Once in a while I take an ambulance home from work. It's awesome to have the lights and sirens but once in a while people seem REALLY eager to get me to drive over to them. I mean jumping, waving, pointing, all kinds of motions. One even made a chocking gesture when I kept driving. Yeesh, just let me drive and stop threatening me.

Just do what I do and wave back.