In the world of police work, there are very specific rules and regulations about who can do what. These limitations are in place for a variety of reasons that largely have to do with safety and ensuring efficiency among law enforcement. In general, police officers may not pull over another officer unless they are driving a non-emergency service vehicle and see some kind of violation (e.g., speeding). Police officers also shouldn’t follow each other or tail another officer without good reason. There are many reasons why this is so. In general, it’s because another cop being pulled over could potentially be a dangerous situation. The other officer might be armed and may feel threatened by the pulling officer. Similarly, if an officer feels threatened by a fellow officer, there is potential for things to escalate quickly and end very badly for either party involved. With that said, it isn’t impossible for one cop to pull over another cop under the right circumstances. There are rare occasions when it may be necessary and advisable to do this in order to keep everyone safe and secure in their jobs as law enforcement agents.
Can a Cop Pull Over Another Cop?
Yes, a cop can pull over another cop. It happens more often than you might think. Police officers are human and make mistakes just like everyone else. If an officer believes that another officer has committed a traffic violation, he or she has the right to pull that officer over.
How Can An Officer Pull Over Another Cop?
- The officer must know the other officer personally.
- The officer must know the other officer’s name and badge number.
- The cop must be in uniform.
- The cop must be driving a non-emergency service vehicle (such as a patrol car).
- The cop must see a violation (e.g., speeding, running a red light).
- The cop cannot follow another cop without good reason (e.g., they are chasing the wrong person or they feel threatened by following another officer).
When Can A Cop Pull Over Another Cop?
- When the cop is in uniform, driving an emergency service vehicle, and sees a violation.
- When the cop is in uniform and sees another officer who is not in uniform, driving an emergency service vehicle, and sees a violation.
- When it’s necessary for the officer to protect himself or herself or another person (e.g., the driver of a car that has pulled over).
- When it’s necessary for the officer to protect other officers (e.g., when one cop is being followed by another cop).
- When it’s necessary to keep public safety safe (e.g., stop a driver that may have been involved in a hit-and-run accident).
When Can’t a Cop Pull Over Another Cop?
- The cop cannot pull over a fellow cop for any reason other than a traffic violation.
- The cop cannot pull over another cop if he or she is in pursuit of someone (e.g., the officer is chasing a suspect).
- The cop cannot follow another cop without good reason (e.g., they are chasing the wrong person or they feel threatened by following another officer).
- The cop cannot pull over another officer for any reason other than a traffic violation unless that officer is driving an emergency service vehicle (such as a patrol car).
What Happens If A Cop Does Pull-Over Another Cop?
1. If a cop pulls over another cop for a traffic violation, the officer must give the other cop a ticket for that violation.
2. If a cop pulls over another cop for any other reason, he or she must write down the name, badge number, and reason that the other officer was pulled over.
3. If an officer believes that another officer has committed a crime (e.g., drunk driving), he or she has the right to arrest that officer.
4. If an officer believes that another officer is harassing him or her (e.g., by following too closely) or making threats against him or her, he or she can use force to protect himself or herself and/or others (e.g., by pulling out his gun).
5. When an officer pulls over another cop, both officers are required to complete a police report of all events leading up to the stop (e.g., name of a driver pulled over; time of the incident; location of the incident; names of witnesses; date/time of the incident).
What Are The Rules For Police To Pull Over Other Cops?
- Police must have a valid reason for pulling over another cop.
- Police cannot pull over another cop just to harass him or her or because of some kind of personal grudge (e.g., because the other cop is a woman).
- If an officer pulls over another cop, both officers are required to complete a police report of all events leading up to the stop (e.g., name of a driver pulled over; time of the incident; location of the incident; names of witnesses; date/time of the incident).
- If an officer pulls over another cop, both officers must complete a “police report” that lists the reason that they were pulled over and the actions by both officers leading up to the stop (e.g., name and badge number of an officer pulling over; name and badge number of officer pulled over; time, date, and location of incident).
What Are Some Examples Of When A Cop Should Pull Over Another Cop?
- A traffic violation is committed by an officer’s fellow officer (e.g., speeding) or by a citizen (e.g., driving erratically on the highway).
- An officer believes that his or her fellow officer is harassing him or her in some way (e.g., following too closely, making threats against him or her) but he or she cannot prove it in court because other witnesses don’t come forward to testify against him or her in court because they fear for their safety.
- An officer believes that his or her fellow officer is driving erratically on the highway (e.g., speeding, weaving) and has the authority to pull over another cop for such a violation.
Bottom Line
There are very specific rules and regulations about when and how cops can pull over other cops. This is in place for a variety of reasons, including keeping the officers safe and ensuring efficiency. If you’re unsure whether or not you can pull over another cop, it’s best to err on the side of caution and follow protocol. With that said, there are some occasions when it may be necessary to intervene on a fellow officer.
