Unmarked cop cars are not uncommon. They have been around for decades and hide in plain sight without many knowing they are there until one finally pulls them over. A recent story about unmarked cop cars in Twin Falls stirred a little controversy in the community and it has led the Twin Falls Police Department (TFPD) to release a statement regarding those cars.

Twin Falls Police Department Responds About Unmarked Cop Cars

After Twin Falls residents began to call the TFPD they decided to release a statement regarding the unmarked cop cars in question. The following is their statement that was released on Facebook:

The cars do follow regulations and are not bending any rules or laws. For residents new to the area, this may seem unethical. In certain states (not pointing fingers to the southwest of here) it is illegal for officers to have unmarked cars. Idaho is not one of those states, and therefore it is within the department's rights to have unmarked cars.

If In Doubt, Confirm With 911 the Car is an Officer

Credit: NeONBRAND on Unsplash
Credit: NeONBRAND on Unsplash
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If you see one of these unmarked cars in your rearview mirror and are being signaled to pull over, it is always a good idea to call 911 and make sure there is indeed an officer in the area. There have been horror stories of fake cops that have pulled people over, so it is always smart to be extra safe before pulling over. If there is ever any doubt, be more on the cautious side, and explain this to the officer once they approach your window once it has been verified.

How to Know If the Car is a Police Officer

Credit: Scott Rodgerson on Unsplash
Credit: Scott Rodgerson on Unsplash
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The safest bet at this point is to assume every single car around you is a cop. Do you see that truck? I am pretty sure I was parked next to one just like that at Walmart last week and am pretty sure it wasn't a cop truck. For the record it is a really nice truck. The best thing you can do is to obey the rules of the road and you will have nothing to worry about. If you do find yourself with a heavy foot or texting behind the wheel, good luck cause these guys are well hidden. I have seen the comments about checking the license plates, but how well can you read a plate while driving 60, 70, or 80 miles per hour? At a stoplight it is doable, but while driving, I might as well hand the officer a check on the spot, cause he's already caught me before I can see him or her.

Reactions to the Unmarked Cars

The reaction to the unmarked cars has been split. Many residents are upset while others understand them and have defended them. While driving is not a true game, it is a mental and emotional game to see officers sitting on the road. We all try to slow down in the hope of not getting caught and with how well these officers are hidden, it seems to be an unleveled playing field. Kudos to them for taking the steps to gain the upper hand and have the advantage. It is hard not to tip my cap or applaud them for using their resources to their advantage. In terms of a driver in the area though, it feels like nobody stands a chance if you are hiding in plain sight.

Photo by Ryan Snaadt on Unsplash
Photo by Ryan Snaadt on Unsplash
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I stand by the comment of from their perspective the challenge seems to be gone. They will win ten out of ten times if my foot gets heavy on the pedal. While as a pedestrian the thought of pulling someone over always seems fun, for an officer doing it every day, I do question the staleness knowing you had them beat before they even started. Officers would prefer not to have to pull anyone over. In an ideal world, everyone would obey the law, but in reality, there always is at least one rule breaker.

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Obey the rules of the road and it won't matter if a cop is in front of you, behind you, hidden behind a tree, marked, unmarked, or any other scenario. As long as you drive the way you should and obey the law daily then none of it should matter. The TFPD is here to keep the residents of Twin Falls and the Magic Valley safe and to help protect us. They need handcuffs, guns, sirens, and multiple tools to do their job and to do it safely. If they require unmarked cars to protect us, then by all means they should have them and no one should question them. The only question is does it ruin their fun and challenge of trying to catch the dumb-dumbs that do not obey the rules of the road?

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