Not another!
 

We've got another one who thinks it's cool and a "tribute to the police" to drive around with police decals on his SSP:

http://www.sspmustang.org/forums/sho...6561#post46561

That thread is going to get very interesting.

You got that right.

Hmmm...he plainly marks his car with "Maine State Police" and mounts blue lights in the deck and yet, according to him, he's not an inpersonator. Explain that one to me. :headscratch: :confused: :banginghead:

Oh...it has!

I hope he doesn't come down South, he won't get far displaying blue lights and "State Police" anywhere on the car.:No no:

That is sad....in so many ways.

This is why imo, I dont give a rats ass about having the proper siren/lights/stickers on my cars. I dont mind them being painted the proper color, but I just dont have any interest in being 100% service ready. Plus, I like to drive my cars and that would seriously limit that situation. If I ever did stickers, they would be magnetic.

This brings up an interesting question. What do your cars look like in "on the road" trim? I'm planning on painting mine the NCSHP black/silver paint scheme and put the Ford Police Vehicles badge on the doors while driving on the roads. Is that a no no??

You will probably get way more attention than you want with the "Badge" shaped decals and the word "Police" prominately displayed. At that time the officer won't care about "Ford Vehicles" accompaning the display.:No no:

Save the decals for show purposes only - you will draw enough attention with the paint scheme. Post up some pictures once you get the paint done, good luck with it and enjoy your SSP.

Agreed 110%....I wouldn't put ANYTHING on the car that resembled a badge or read "POLICE"....Nothing! People are ignorant...and I am being polite.

I even had a woman look at my car with a covered light bar and out of service all over it, tag that read "EX GSP" and asked me what dept. we were from....so imagine what even more people would think if they saw the outline of a badge on the door. Granted this woman seemed like an idiot but she is what is considered general public....they aren't going to bother reading it and even if they did would probably still assume it is a legitimate police car.

+2

In addition to the advice given above, you should also check your state's laws regarding the operation of ex-law enforcement vehicles. For example, California has some very explicit code sections related to this (e.g., prohibited markings, paint schemes, lights, etc.). Here's what my permanently marked CHP car looks like when it's in transit:

http://images15.fotki.com/v337/photo...1010655-vi.jpg

http://images33.fotki.com/v1119/phot...10666vi-vi.jpg

The covers on the decals are made from magnetic sign material and KC fog light covers are used over the red spotlight and all the deck lights. Additionally, the wig-wags, spotlights, deck lights and the siren are all run through an underhood master switch which is turned off when I'm on the road. The agreement I have with the CHP to operate this car states that I must cover the decals and lights but I added the master switch for my own protection.

Michael, how do those magnets hold up at speed? I was planning on the same thing when I redo my FHP but wondered if there was any trouble with the magnet material at highway speeds.....

The magnets on my FHP held up great at speeds of 85 mph. The only thing is you need to place them on the car the night before the show and make sure it is warm so they will stick. I also placed a small piece of tape on the front end of the magnets that are on the fender, for added protection. If the weather is cold or wet, use the blue painters tape to cover the fender letters. The only thing I'm missing is a cover for the light bar.

As long as they are laying down perfectly flush with the surface, speed isn't a problem. The only way they come off is if air gets behind them. Plus the surface also needs to be completely clean and dry...I lost a lower door panel coming back from Ripon last year in a downpour because it probably wasn't that way when I put them back on.

That's kind of what I was thinking about the tape idea. My GSP magnets just don't seem like they would stay on...of course the ONLY time I want them on at speed would be at an open track event. My FHP is going to be permanently stickered and I will cover it as you guys have done yours for transport.

Thanks guys.... I do appreciate the good advice. The last thing I want to do is to lead people into believing I'm an officer and possibly ruining our public image. All of the law personnel I've spoke with are excited about it and have even offered to help. But I'm sure the tables would quickly turn once someone got offended and started complaining.

I'm still not 100% sure I want to go with the NCSHP paint scheme yet. Maybe I'll do some more Photochopping and put up a poll. I respect you guys opinions.