It’s not fun to get pulled over for lawful violations, and that’s why it’s best to comply with the posted speed limits and all other traffic laws. Also, it’s good practice to watch for police officers, which will keep you more alert.
Of course, you have to deal with also figuring out where unmarked cop cars are. Thankfully, educating yourself on how to spot unmarked police cars is not too complicated.
In this article, I will provide you with information on how to specifically identify unmarked police vehicles along with signs that you might be facing an undercover patrol officer.
After reading this article, I will provide an important disclaimer about looking for undercover cops, because I intend to keep you safe in all situations.
How to Spot Unmarked Police Cars?
Even though unmarked police cars are not marked specifically as police cars, they still have municipal or government issued license plates and could lack registration or inspection stickers depending on the state.
Additionally, they tend to use a certain few types of vehicles and there could be police transport equipment on the vehicle.
#1. License Plates.
Even if it isn’t marked, the cop car is still registered to the township or county, and so it will still have municipal license plates.
Also, one tell-tale might be the registration or inspection stickers. In some areas—depending on where you live—the car might lack these valuable stickers, which might make the car look out of place.
However, all of the stickers could be the same as passenger vehicles as well, so this indicator alone won’t tell you anything.
#2. Vehicle Make/Model.
Back in the day, all police departments used Crown Victorias as cop cars. Thus, it was simple to find undercover cops delegated to an area.
That’s not the case today, and it has been that way for quite a while. Many police departments will utilize a fleet of different vehicles, each designated for an assigned purpose.
In fact, it is common to find your local police department utilizing minivans, pickup trucks, and even military grade vehicles like small tanks. That said, there are still vehicles that have become popular with almost all police departments.
You can identify unmarked police cars with these models:
- Chevy Tahoe PPV
- Dodge Charger Pursuit
- Dodge Durango Pursuit
- Ford Police Interceptor Utility (similar to a Ford Explorer)
- Ford F-150 Police Responder
You should always be especially careful with these vehicles. Also, once you get familiarized with the vehicles used by your local agencies, you can be more cognizant when traveling in your hometown area.
#3. Specialized Equipment.
The undercover cop car may be unmarked but will look to have special equipment. How much it looks like a police vehicle will depend on the function it serves.
Depending on how closely you look, the undercover cop car may or may not have police lights somewhere on the car either on the side mirrors or on the grille. The windows are also typically tinted dark.
In addition to the police lights, the cop car may have a push bumper which looks like a cage around the front. An older police car would have a big antennae on the top, but that is not necessary today.
The undercover police car could have absolutely no equipment in it. This is typically seen when the undercover police officer needs to conceal themselves to blend in to infiltrate a particular situation or group.
How to Spot Undercover Cops?
#1. Strange Couples.
Cops often work in pairs, even undercover, which is why it is important to see how the couple works together and acts in relation to one another.
If you see two people that look strange or uncomfortable together, this is a warning sign.
Police officers usually work with two different people types in these situations with opposing skills.
For this reason, you may also be presented with a significant age gap so the couple can work together off of each other’s experiences. Or it could be a cultural divide. Either way, the couple can look strange.
#2. Out of Place.
The couple may look out of place, and an individual undercover cop may not be in an unusual location. For example, if a well-groomed older man is hanging out at a rap concert, something could be wrong.
Sure, there is always a chance this man loves rap music and supports rap artists, but it is unlikely. This is when you have to apply the rules of discernment and follow your gut instinct.
#3. Asks Weird Questions.
If you’re in a situation that would be of interest to cops, be cautious of someone who may be suspiciously looking around. For example, if you’re at a protest or political event, a cop could easily be undercover, in the crowd.
These cops aren’t just going to come out and blend into the crowd and observe – they will be collecting information. Listen to the discussion around you, and the questions you’ve been asked, for example, and use common sense.
#4. Physical Appearance is Off.
You can learn a lot by how a person looks. If a police officer is assigned temporarily, it’s unlikely they will change much how they look, but will still be recognizable as a police officer.
This is why a police officer’s hair can tell you a lot about a person. There is frequently a department grooming policy, and the officer will have short military-like haircuts.
A lot could be learned from the dress code. If you are at a protest, most people will not try and identify themselves by wearing identifying clothing. They will be wearing nondescript clothing.
Undercover police will not always understand that and will board the event wearing shirts and garments with writing, even sport apparel. If you see people wearing apparel with their favorite teams, get extra vigilant.
Undercover police will sometimes wear equipment, thus wearing cargo pants or cargo shorts.
You could even see a gun outline in their clothes. Lastly, look at their shoes. military-type boots are another indicator. If it is a mil not other type of boot with the apparel I’m talking about, that would not be good.
Warning About Looking for Undercover Cops
What I’m telling you is all for informational and entertainment purposes only. There really is no exact science to identifying an undercover police vehicle or undercover police officer. In fact, police officers can be trained to blend in with a crowd better than you can.
Also, just because someone seems to be undercover police officer does not mean they actually are an undercover officer.
Do not simply assume the retired military looking guy at your protest is an undercover police officer. The retired military guy could be an individual that has a heart for the message of the protest. He could even be someone that is undercover security hired by the organizers so everyone remains safe.
More than anything, if you are engaged in some type of illegal or controversial behavior, there’s a pretty good chance there are undercover police officers around you. Just assume that everything you are doing right now is being monitored. Possibly even recorded.
Beyond monitoring, there really is not anything you can do about people being undercover police; just make sure you are implementing the laws. Even if they are people around you committing something illegal, just remain out of it.
Remain out of trouble and you will have no worries about agents or undercover police.