CHP Rumor Regarding Restored Cars
 

I decided to feed my internet forum addiction :) and join www.evooa.org, which is a group dedicated to all types of emergency vehicles. After I posted about my CHP SSP Mustang, I rec'd the following message -

I'm NOT saying that this is indeed fact, but I wanted to put this out for discussion here. I know Utah has done something similar in regards to prohibiting the use of their state emblem on former police vehicles. Has anyone heard about the CHP doing something similar?

This has little impact on the plans I have for my car, because I am making it an unmarked driver and I live 2,800 miles away. But it certainly could affect others living in California who are looking to restore their CHP car.

I'm not a lawyer or LEO but I always thought law enforcement was there to enforce the laws not make or change them. So until I see a statute in black and white I will take it as a rumor, although there might be a law on the books already and it was just not being enforced.

Try looking up the law at http://www.findlaw.com/. Any state or federal law and be found there

This is the law in OH:
2913.441 Unlawful display of law enforcement emblem.
(A) No person who is not entitled to do so shall knowingly display on a motor vehicle the emblem of a law enforcement agency or an organization of law enforcement officers.

(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of the unlawful display of the emblem of a law enforcement agency or an organization of law enforcement officers, a minor misdemeanor.

Does not address emergency lights though. We had a guy who ran around with Vol. FF lights on his mini van and was not a FF. I believe the discussion on that was as long as they were not turned on it was okay...but they were solid red, not blue and red.

My comments:

"Several months ago, word got out that the CHP is no longer giving permission to have their retired vehicles restored or replicated. This created a big stir here in Calif."

This is very old news. The CHP has in fact not been giving private individuals sanction on restorations for many years now.

"There was also word going around that if an on duty CHP officer was at an event ( parade , car show, safety fair etc.) he or she has the power to cite or impound the vehicle, if the owner could not produce documentation showing that CHP sanctioned the vehicle restoration or replication."

Any LE officer in CA, not just CHP, has the power to investigate any vehicle that appears to be out of compliance with any of the existing CA vehicle codes surrounding emergency vehicles and related equipment and they can do it anytime, not just at an event. I know this firsthand as I've been pulled over on the highway in my sanctioned restoration on several occasions.

To date, I haven't heard of or witnessed any systematic crackdowns by the CHP at events or even on the road for that matter. So far, as long as hobbists have been following the generally accepted methods of keeping in compliance with the CVC (covering lights & decals, displaying appropriate "not in service" signage, etc) and in general keeping a low profile, there has not been any major problem out here.

"They have even clamped down on the companies that replicate the vehicle emblems from what I was told."

Sounds like an unfounded rumor to me.

___________________

so is this a letter you keep in the glove box?
show us what you got!

Yes!! Please post a clear and full size document so we call all see it. :D

I too would like to see what they gave you Michael. Thankfully this isnt a problem for me in Pennsylvania. I cant imagine them towing my car off of a showfield. Im not so sure I wouldnt be going to jail with the car.

The document I keep in the glovebox is a copy of a "decal use agreement" that is approved by the commissioner. It identifies me and my vehicle and outlines the permitted manner of vehicle operation and use of the CHP insignia. For security reasons, I will not post any copies on a public forum nor provide copies of it to anyone. However, I am happy to show it to interested parties at a show or event.

GOOD RESPONSE!! But post the wording you used on the initial letter you wrote to the commissioner. Maybe we could send him a letter. Not that it matters much here in FLA but it would be a nice peace to have.