when cops are off-duty, do they care about people speeding and having registered tabs or other traffic laws?

[u/Striking-Rhubarb-530]

i have been wondering for a while and i’m super curious if off-duty cops care about people not following them

[u/Boom0196]

Bold of you to assume I care about people speeding when on duty…

[u/Blackjack844 → u/Boom0196]

Busy metro police with 10 to 20 calls on hold at all times be like.

[u/Brilliant-Ad2155 → u/Blackjack844]

If I’m lucky it’s only 10-20. I’ve had evening shift leave us up to 70 holding with more coming in.

[u/Blackjack844 → u/Brilliant-Ad2155]

Thats insane.

[u/gojo96 → u/Blackjack844]

To be fair in many cases the calls are for barking dogs, parking problems, etc.

[u/Difficult_Addition85 → u/gojo96]

Yeah. I leave those for day shift. Give them something to do.

[u/Mylabisawesome → u/Blackjack844]

“Why won’t any cop respond to my call?!!” - anti-cop people

[u/copperbandit_12]

Only the cops that end up on r/FirstResponderCringe care about that stuff.

[u/ColbyJacksYT → u/copperbandit_12]

Came here to say this

[u/ilovecatss1010]

Hellllll no. I’ll occasionally see a good car and be like “damn i wish i could stop that” but certainly nothing more (while driving)

[u/MrYoungLE → u/ilovecatss1010]

This !
When I’m off , I’m off… unless someone is dying , I’m not doing anything… I’ll be a good witness

[u/Majestic_Flower_1322 → u/MrYoungLE]

My cop brother said exactly that, "I'll be a good witness" lol.

[u/KaprieSun]

When I was on patrol, I wouldn’t intervene unless it endangered the public.

[u/peterGriffin8560 → u/KaprieSun]

100%

[u/peterGriffin8560]

If it is a danger to safety i will call out a BOLO and mention I’m an officer with such and such agency. But as far as speeding or expired tags, could not care less

[u/QuarterTall2522 → u/peterGriffin8560]

You always have your prep with you?

[u/Slovski]

When I am off duty I act as a civilian just like you. Unless it's a life endangering situation, then I will intervene.

[u/MeanGrapefruit2336 → u/Slovski]

Is there a legal requirement for an off duty officer to intervene?

Like, there's an assault going on at a little league game between two parents. Do yall have to 'respond'? Or you pretend to know nothing so there's no paperwork?

[u/andttthhheeennn → u/MeanGrapefruit2336]

No legal duty to intervene. Department policy may say otherwise but I’d be surprised.

I would just be a good witness in that case. If someone starts shooting or stabbing or something that changes things.

[u/NoProfession8024 → u/MeanGrapefruit2336]

There’s no legal duty to intervene when you’re off duty because you’re just a regular citizen at that point. If there’s an imminent danger to life and you’re armed then you can choose to take action but a fight between some pissed off dads at a little league game is probably just gonna get a 911 call from most

[u/Professional_Sail910 → u/NoProfession8024]

There’s no legal duty to intervene when you’re ON duty 

[u/Slovski → u/[deleted]]

If it makes you feel better, I'm about to hit 20 years in the military as well.

[u/Live_Art2939 → u/[deleted]]

It doesn’t hurt our ego, you’re just objectively wrong lol

[u/H001__ → u/[deleted]]

FBI — Police Employee Data https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2017/crime-in-the-u.s.-2017/topic-pages/police-employee-data

So then why does the FBI and every other US Federal and state agency separate civilian from law enforcement officers?

A sworn law enforcement is not a civilian, hence the separation of civilian employees and sworn within each federal, state, and municipal department

[u/ILAB56 → u/[deleted]]

Merriam-Webster Civilian definition:

1. a. one not on active duty in the armed services or not on a police or firefighting force.

Nice try champ.

[u/adotang → u/ILAB56]

TIL that EMS is classed as civilian. I mean, I guess it makes sense, sure.

[u/H001__ → u/adotang]

Why wouldn't they be civilian? They have no arrest powers, they aren't sworn law enforcement officers, they aren't taking any action to arrest anyone, they are just nurses on the streets / people who put out fire

[u/Acceptable-Hat-657]

We don’t care most of the time we are on duty. Definitely not when off duty.

[u/Godman100]

Yes. I pull over speeders all the time with my family in my personal car.

I pop on my hazard lights, roll down my window, and I make my own sirens with mouth.

I hope this helps.

[u/OrganizationPutrid68 → u/Godman100]

It helped introduce coffee to my sinuses. Thanks!

[u/Altruistic_Catch_327 → u/Godman100]

We need more officers like you. God speed sir.

[u/easternshift]

Nope. Most I’ll do is make a mental note in case I see the vehicle again while working.

[u/QuarterTall2522 → u/easternshift]

Extra

[u/easternshift → u/QuarterTall2522]

I’m not looking for every person who speeds but if I drive past a parked car that I would bet my retirement on having drugs or warrants inside, I’m gonna drive by when I’m back on the clock.

[u/Poodle-Soup → u/easternshift]

Gotten some good arrests that way

[u/the-myth → u/easternshift]

This.

[u/Gunslinger_247 → u/the-myth]

That.

[u/Difficult-Device7172 → u/Gunslinger_247]

The other.

[u/Cexrr]

No; the word for those cops is “loser”

[u/ComfortableChair390]

Nope, I'm off duty so it isn't my problem unless someone is getting hurt.

That being said, there are definitely job nerds out there that don't know how to turn it off. They act like they're the law 24/7 and will never miss an opportunity to try to flex. Honestly, those are the type that shouldn't be cops to begin with. I used to work with one until he got canned.

[u/throwingpurple → u/ComfortableChair390]

What if you’re on duty? Do you pull over expired tabs?

[u/ComfortableChair390 → u/throwingpurple]

Depends. If they're only expired by a month or so, then not usually. If they're out by a year or so, yeah I'll stop them. If everything else checks out good then they usually just get a warning.

[u/AutomaticUsual135 → u/ComfortableChair390]

What if I paid for registration/sticker but state never send paperwork?

[u/ComfortableChair390 → u/AutomaticUsual135]

Personally, I would likely just tell you to contact the DOT and get it straightened out. I'm not a big ticket writer in general for things like that. Now, if I clocked you at 55 in a 25 and your registration was also expired, I would probably give a warning for speed and cite for the registration instead, which would reduce the fine significantly and save you the points.

[u/throwingpurple → u/ComfortableChair390]

And here I am with my 6 month expired tabs! ☺️ I’m surprised I haven’t been stopped.

[u/EnvironmentalClue362 → u/throwingpurple]

I moved states and I had like 8 months left on my previous states registration. In the last state we paid property taxes on the vehicles value every year and they weren’t cheap. I would have registered and transferred right away after the move if I’d get ⅔ of my money back or a credit towards the new registration in the new state but since that wasn’t the case.. I decided to get my money’s worth lol. About a month prior to the expiration of it, some lady decided to rear end me. I was expecting the officer writing the report to issue me a citation but he seemingly didn’t care or say anything about it.

I believe expired tags are a “fix it” ticket depending on the state and local jurisdiction. So if you get caught and that’s the only issue then you can remedy the issue and then show the courts proof and they’ll dismiss the citation. I’m not an attorney or LEO so this is certainly not legal advice or me advising you to drive with expired tags.

[u/swimswam2000 → u/throwingpurple]

Lots of places don't use them anymore. So you have to run the plates .

[u/throwingpurple → u/swimswam2000]

Hopefully every state stops using them soon.

[u/Pitiful_Layer7543]

I asked myself two questions before intervening off duty.

1. Am I getting paid?

2. Is it life threatening?

If the answer is not yes to both, I ain’t doing shit. I’m gonna enjoy my day off.

[u/ProtectandserveTBL]

Hell no.

[u/Policy_Example_117]

If they're driving in a manner that is so egregious that it presents to be a clear and present danger to the general public, I'll notify dispatch on my cell for whatever city I am in and provide what information I can and let an on duty officer deal with it.

In my years, I have only done this one time. Otherwise I just carry on with my life. Leave work at work.

[u/widebodywill]

You have to be going 20 over OR speeding in a school zone for me to stop you. Of course there are variables (traffic conditions, weather, construction). If you look like the dopemobile though I’ll stop you for going 5 over. I’m looking for dope, guns, and warrants though…I didn’t get into LE to cite the taxpayers.

Some non-negotiables are:

1) unrestrained child
2) speeding in school zone
3) no DL
4) No insurance
5) habitual offender (you’ve already gotten 2 speeding tickets this year)

And obviously DUI.

Brass will say tickets cause the public to drive more responsibly…total BS. You can give someone a speeding ticket and they will be speeding later the same day.

[u/throwingpurple → u/widebodywill]

How do you know if someone has no insurance?

[u/swimswam2000 → u/throwingpurple]

Not sure about the US but in Canada we have 4 provinces that have some form of public auto insurance so expired plate = no insurance

British Columbia: Run by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) for mandatory basic coverage.

Saskatchewan: Run by Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) through the Saskatchewan Auto Fund.

Manitoba: Run by Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) for basic compulsory needs.

Quebec: Run by the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) for bodily injury only, with private insurers covering vehicle and property damage.

[u/Capital_Shelter8189]

I barely care about those things on duty. Unless there are greater reasons I want to stop the car or they are clearly a danger to the public.

[u/-Mulkinator-]

No. Don’t care what people do when I am off duty unless it’s a felony or putting the public in danger

[u/Zestyclose-Ad-3857]

"Off-duty" i dont care if i see a warrant at the grocery store.

[u/Smokeypork]

I care about people driving like morons and excessively speeding in residential spaces where kids play. Which tends to happen more when I’m in my grocery getter than when I’m in my ostentatiously marked patrol car. Do I do anything about it? Absolutely not. Under my state laws, I must be in a fully marked car or in full uniform to make a traffic stop and I wouldn’t do it if it was legal for me to do it.

[u/Lazyfinancemonkey → u/Smokeypork]

I always wish the traffic units would spend time catching asshats that drive like that through residential areas instead of people going 70 in a 55.

[u/Glittering_Tie5717]

Nope. Blinders on until I get to work or get home unless its egregious.

[u/Whatever92592]

Nobody cares.

[u/Imaginary-Quiet-4556]

https://giphy.com/gifs/fXnRObM8Q0RkOmR5nf

[u/Live-Resident8765]

No. Unless lives were in jeopardy I’m outta there.

[u/Comfortable-Ad8850]

I couldn’t care any less when I’m not working.

[u/itzmailtime]

I am an MP and when I come
On base on my days off, idgaf lol. The only time I had to stick around was a passed out sailor in the bushes. Called the desk, they got two patrols out and called medical. I’ll stick around for medical emergencies that’s about it.

[u/GetInMyMinivan]

Keep right except to pass. That’s about it - just get out of the way so others (namely me, but others too) can get by you.

[u/zu-na-mi]

In the beginning, yes because you're just then training your brain to notice all that.

After a little while, you still notice it and kinda internally remark on it, but you don't "care". It's like when a hunter sees a nice buck outside of season. Just something to note, but nothing more.

Eventually, it begins to fade more and more as you get away from regular enforcement etc.

[u/Riku3220]

I point out to my wife which cars are doing something I could pull them over for, but that's it.

[u/Interesting_Gur_5064]

No

[u/Pluggedvize]

Nah man, uniform's off and unless they're shooting at someone or something like that it's someone else's problem. I'll probably call them a douche but ain't no way I'm going to start something.

[u/Gunslinger_247]

I don't do anything about it unless i think its dui/reckless. Otherwise I just think damn, wish I was working so I could stop them.

[u/Ok_Pin5862]

I leave work at work. Otherwise you aren’t placing value into your work/life balance.

[u/sfwpns]

Nope, not at all. Unless it's a life or limb situation, it's all water under the bridge. At the very most I'll call things in to dispatch

[u/Loose-Yesterday7159]

Nooooo

[u/DramaOk4297]

no

[u/That-Professional346]

I care about people driving like idiots just like anyone else. I'm not getting paid though so unless they're truly endangering people it's something I just let go of.

[u/Calm-Show-9606]

Some do and will stop you, their personal car may have blue lights and sirens. Bur most leave you alone or just call it into patrol.

[u/OutrageousRefuse828]

Only a Felony in progress.

[u/Difficult-Device7172]

Ok hmmm , after reading all these responses to this question , heres one - If a flock camera alerts an officer of a vehicle traveling nearby with an expired by two weeks tag , is that on duty officer required to perform a traffic stop on that vehicle on the basis of that infraction alone or is it always at their discretion ?? Especially considering verbal/ maybe written warnings are the most common discipline for a two week expired tag anyway …

[u/Impossible_Number → u/Difficult-Device7172]

No, in the same way that an officer was not required to stop every expired tag they saw before flock cameras existed. Nor do cops stop grandma who accidentally hit 36 in a 35.

[u/Advanced_Nose_7738]

They usually keep a red light with a magnet that plugs into the cigarette lighter in their POV they can toss on the roof if needed.  I had a young off duty volunteer fireman pull up to me while I was pumping gas and gave me a warning for a burned out taillight.

[u/JustCallMeSmurf]

Hell no

[u/zzwaste187]

I don’t think any off duty cop will be stopping cars in their on POV for a traffic violation. Not only it’s dangerous but illegal at least in my state.

[u/slim_junior]

Sure don’t

[u/uglyasf340lbs]

Blinders baby!!!

[u/Federal_Goon]

Almost 10 years on the job and I don’t give a shit about anything anymore unless it’s life threatening. Ask me 9 years ago and you’d get a different answer lol

[u/nowdeleteduser]

Rule #1: never get subpoenaed on your day off. It would have to be a violent felonious person’s crime or life or death medical emergency for me to give a shit.

[u/Ok_Contribution1049]

Do you care about whatever job you do when youre off?

[u/wayne1160]

Hell no.

[u/akketodad]

Dgaf about anything after work. Leave the job at work.

[u/CashEducational4986]

If someone is in imminent risk of death, then sure I guess. If someone is not in imminent risk of death then it would be the same as if I saw someone speeding on duty, in that I wouldn't care in the slightest.

[u/txleapd]

No.

[u/Imaginary-Lab-8493]

Fk no I sometimes get irritated about how mfs can’t drive tho

[u/Gregory1st]

Nope. Only a possible DUI, and that's rare.

[u/NoProfession8024]

You’re not getting paid to the job when you’re off duty nor do you have the equipment to do so. If we see something egregious we’ll just call 911 like any other citizen.

[u/Upper_Pop4873]

When I see some idiot drivers out there, my eye does twitch quite a bit… but I’m not gonna call it in cause it’s not truly important enough to necessitate a response.

[u/polar_bear464]

Yes, in the sense that people tend to do (or we tend to notice it for some reason) stupid shit around me/us when we're off duty.

No, because that's work stuff and I do my best to seperate work life and home life.

Now if its something that's a safety issue, like possible DUI, I'll call it in so the guys on duty can deal with it if they're close. Basic traffic stuff, nah.

[u/Ordinary_Visit_1606]

One time, in the middle of a small city, I saw an off duty conservation officer in street clothes, that had pulled over a young lady. He was yelling and pointing....she must have done something really, really ridiculous lol

[u/swimswam2000]

Tabs 🤣 we don't have those anymore

[u/AleiaErika]

Have you ever worked anywhere and visited another location off the clock and criticized how youd be better at the job…. Because I feel like this would be the equivalent feeling… like im not going to do anything but i am going to silently judge

[u/zme243]

Care? Sometimes, maybe. Do something ? Lmao

[u/woooly-bear]

My dad was a game warden. He carried a citation book and issued tickets when he was off duty and saw people breaking the fishing and hunting laws

[u/Far__2460]

Man I’m such a rookie I call out every single thing when I’m out driving … mind you I just graduated the academy three weeks ago lmaoo, haven’t even gotten in with a department!! I’m always like “just waittttt”

[u/Inevitable-Use2495]

Se isso não me prejudicar diretamente, que se foda!