Why Do LEO's leave their patrol cars running....

[Abc123]

...When they aren't in them?


I pulled up to Chipotle last night and parked next to two unoccupied police cars running in the parking lot. When I walked into Chipotle, there were 3 officers sitting at the table enjoying their "lunch".

I am sure there must be some logical explanation for LEO's leaving police cars running while they eat. So could someone here enlighten me?

 

[Abc123]

I snapped this picture when leaving.

I have noticed this several times, so figured rather than complain or assume, I'd ask for a logical explanation.

 

[CampbellCarl]

They aren't required to pay for the gas that the unit uses and saves all of time it takes to turn a key...

 

[Abc123]

They aren't required to pay for the gas that the unit uses and saves all of time it takes to turn a key...

LOL. I thought about going the city with my complaint, but I'm afraid I'll just paint a target on my head. Cops/ government employees are a gang that band together.

But there must be a logical explanation for this. Right?

 

[was thatguy]

I'm thinking logged cruising time?

 

[JRS1939]

Not sure where you live but their are idling laws in many large cities where it is illegal to idle more than just a few minutes. ...

 

[CampbellCarl]

LOL. I thought about going the city with my complaint, but I'm afraid I'll just paint a target on my head. Cops/ government employees are a gang that band together.

But there must be a logical explanation for this. Right?

Guessing that the practice goes back decades when cars would vapor lock or starter solenoids wouldn't crank when hot.

I guess they won't have a chance when some of the new technology is purchased...like the engine off at traffic lights kinda technology.

 

[koenig]

I met my cousin for lunch once and she was on duty. She left the suburban running. Explained that she was on call if they got an emergency situation, she'd need to drop lunch and go. Left it running because it eats up seconds on a speedy call. Plus the car might not start right away eating more seconds. So they leave it running.

 

[CampbellCarl]

Not sure where you live but their are idling laws in many large cities where it is illegal to idle more than just a few minutes. ...

Remember that all laws are not applied to LEOs...cell phone, lap top use and now idling laws.

 

[shintoooo]

Could be because of all the electronic components they have that's tied to the cars batteries. If they turn off the car, the battery might die?

 

[Forensic]

Could be because of all the electronic components they have that's tied to the cars batteries. If they turn off the car, the battery might die?

You googled it to huh?

 

[shintoooo]

You googled it to huh?

Nope, I just used my brain

 

[Abc123]

Guessing that the practice goes back decades when cars would vapor lock or starter solenoids wouldn't crank when hot.

I guess they won't have a chance when some of the new technology is purchased...like the engine off at traffic lights kinda technology.

Ok but LEO's are no longer using the Model T.

I met my cousin for lunch once and she was on duty. She left the suburban running. Explained that she was on call if they got an emergency situation, she'd need to drop lunch and go. Left it running because it eats up seconds on a speedy call. Plus the car might not start right away eating more seconds. So they leave it running.

While that may be an excuse, it's seems far from logical.

I know for a fact that LEO agencies don't skimp on vehicle maintenance and/or repairs. Those cars run in tip top shape. I'd be interested to know how many lives have been lost due to a patrol car that didn't start in the past 20 years?

 

[BajaMike]

Don't forget they have laptops and lots of radio equipment always running inside the units. Some cars may also have radios relaying the traffic to and from their hand held units. Shut the car off it may not start.

I spent 15 years working on and managing ambulances. We never shut our units off while on call (although ambulances have a lot more electronics than police cars)....radios, cardiac monitors, air conditioners. The only time we shut them off was at a hospital or a base station where we had 110 power connectors to charge our batteries and run our air conditioners and other equipment.

 

[koenig]

Ok but LEO's are no longer using the Model T.



While that may be an excuse, it's seems far from logical.

I know for a fact that LEO agencies don't skimp on vehicle maintenance and/or repairs. Those cars run in tip top shape. I'd be interested to know how many lives have been lost due to a patrol car that didn't start in the past 20 years?

She just said something about every second counts and the car might not start. Guess they train based off old experiences.

 

[sirbob]

I'm thinking logged cruising time?

I'm going with this one ...

 

[Old Texan]

Need the A/C to keep the backup donut supply from melting......

 

[VoodooMedMan]

Varies on department. The electronic thing is the biggest as far as I know. But that's becoming outdated with better technology. A few years back when you got in the car and turned it in it would take forever for the MDT and such to come back on so they could work the calls. Now that those things are basically modified laptops the. They don't eat so much power and can run off their own battery during lunch.

So unless the car and electronics are from yesteryear then it's probably either old habit or it has to do with weather. One for comfort as who wants to get into a hot car while already wearing all that gear and vest covered by a polyester uniform or a cold car in freezing climates. Or from the picture above I bet you get in and it takes a few minutes to defrost the window if not left running. So hot call and you are sitting and waiting.

Has nothing to do with logging. Yes theirs GPS and stuff in those cars but the officers have to log and account for their time. How long the car is on isn't tracked.

Not a cop though so if I'm wrong let one of them in here shame me.

And some departments do frown on leaving them running but every city different.

 

[Classic Daycruiser]

...When they aren't in them?


I pulled up to Chipotle last night and parked next to two unoccupied police cars running in the parking lot. When I walked into Chipotle, there were 3 officers sitting at the table enjoying their "lunch".

I am sure there must be some logical explanation for LEO's leaving police cars running while they eat. So could someone here enlighten me?

In Arizona, the inside temperature of a car can get above 200 degrees F. Computer screens get messed up, as well as computer equipment need cool air to run the fans properly.
In the winter, keeping warm could be a problem.

 

[Dettom]

Could be because of all the electronic components they have that's tied to the cars batteries. If they turn off the car, the battery might die?

Bingo. You guessed right. All that equipment, once you turn it on, is a serious drain on batteries..

 

[Abc123]

Need the A/C to keep the backup donut supply from melting......

 

[Abc123]

Bingo. You guessed right. All that equipment, once you turn it on, is a serious drain on batteries..

If this is the case, why isn't every police vehicle always left on? Wouldn't it be unusual for only some officers leave their cars running if battery life was a pressing issue for LEO vehicles. LEO's always follow their training. Right?

I am related to the person who's department services all of the LAPD Ford vehicles. I will be asking them if this is really an issue.

 

[Shady]

I saw the same thing at the Fort Mohave Safeway on Saturday morning, I was wondering why the LEO's left their cars running while they were enjoying their morning Starbucks.

 

[Cole Trickle]

You guys understand that cops get breaks and lunch like normal people right?

I always thought they did it to keep the car cool or to save on boot up time for the computers in the event of an emergency.

I don't see what the big deal is wither way....

 

[t&y]

You guys understand that cops get breaks and lunch like normal people right?

I always thought they did it to keep the car cool or to save on boot up time for the computers in the event of an emergency.

I don't see what the big deal is wither way....

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha... If my assumption that you are being sarcastic is wrong, please let me know.

 

[VoodooMedMan]

You guys understand that cops get breaks and lunch like normal people right?

I always thought they did it to keep the car cool or to save on boot up time for the computers in the event of an emergency.

I don't see what the big deal is wither way....

Ummm. Look who posted it. Some people have an axe to the grind against cops. Seems the threads always start from the same posters.

 

[t&y]

...When they aren't in them?


I pulled up to Chipotle last night and parked next to two unoccupied police cars running in the parking lot. When I walked into Chipotle, there were 3 officers sitting at the table enjoying their "lunch".


I am sure there must be some logical explanation for LEO's leaving police cars running while they eat. So could someone here enlighten me?

Why do we leave our cars running... There are many answers to that question. But I think the main one is we need to give people like you something to cry about.

 

[t&y]

I'm thinking logged cruising time?

I don't know of a department that logs the engine hours as their "cruising" time. We actually call it "unallocated" time and the people that pay that write the checks according to our contracts understand that our unallocated time in laymen terms means that is the time we are "patrolling" the area looking for crimes in progress or on many occasions just being a presence in the community. Some departments require their officers to account for every minute of their shift... meaning if you are just driving around a neighborhood you would create a log entry or call for service for doing just that. It really depends on the department.

But again.... I am not aware of one department that uses engine hour time as cruising time. Common sense would indicate a simple check of the mileage would be more accurate for "cruising" time..... but what do I know.

 

[OCMerrill]

Ummm. Look who posted it. Some people have an axe to the grind against cops. Seems the threads always start from the same posters.

Big lifted 2WD trucks on 37's don't was any resources do they NGE? LOL.

Many of those cars have dual Alternators for a reason besides they are all mostly Fords and everyone knows it's just better to leave a Ford running then hope it will re-start.

 

[Cole Trickle]

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha... If my assumption that you are being sarcastic is wrong, please let me know.

I wasn't being sarcastic. I have alot of cop friends and they work a very tough job that 90% of the population wouldn't be able to handle.

 

[Abc123]

You guys understand that cops get breaks and lunch like normal people right?

I always thought they did it to keep the car cool or to save on boot up time for the computers in the event of an emergency.

I don't see what the big deal is wither way....

I understand that, but I "normal person" doesn't leave my car running while I go into a restaurant for a meal.

Ummm. Look who posted it. Some people have an axe to the grind against cops. Seems the threads always start from the same posters.

Really? I have an axe to grind? I am asking a legitimate question.

I could say the same as you about the same people being so pro-let cops do whatever they want. lol

 

[Abc123]

Why do we leave our cars running... There are many answers to that question. But I think the main one is we need to give people like you something to cry about.

It saddens me that people with your mentality are hired and paid with my hard earned tax dollars to enforce laws.

 

[t&y]

I wasn't being sarcastic. I have alot of cop friends and they work a very tough job that 90% of the population wouldn't be able to handle.

I think we are misunderstanding each other here. By breaks you mean cops can stop to eat on duty, NOT we get to shut down and ignore our job for a lunch break like most people with regular jobs..... right?

 

[Abc123]

I wasn't being sarcastic. I have alot of cop friends and they work a very tough job that 90% of the population wouldn't be able to handle.

So do garbage men.

 

[t&y]

It saddens me that people with your mentality are hired and paid with my hard earned tax dollars to enforce laws.

Tell me what tax you pay for my job that I don't.

 

[Abc123]

Big lifted 2WD trucks on 37's don't was any resources do they NGE? LOL.

Many of those cars have dual Alternators for a reason besides they are all mostly Fords and everyone knows it's just better to leave a Ford running then hope it will re-start.

I know your being a lil facetious. LOL

I'm not trying to get into a pissing match here. I am asking a legitimate question. Have I said anything negative about the police in this thread?

 

[was thatguy]

I don't know of a department that logs the engine hours as their "cruising" time. We actually call it "unallocated" time and the people that pay that write the checks according to our contracts understand that our unallocated time in laymen terms means that is the time we are "patrolling" the area looking for crimes in progress or on many occasions just being a presence in the community. Some departments require their officers to account for every minute of their shift... meaning if you are just driving around a neighborhood you would create a log entry or call for service for doing just that. It really depends on the department.

But again.... I am not aware of one department that uses engine hour time as cruising time. Common sense would indicate a simple check of the mileage would be more accurate for "cruising" time..... but what do I know.

Hey I don't assume to know, just guessing. I put a question mark... Don't taze me bro!!:yikes

 

[Abc123]

Tell me what tax you pay for my job that I don't.

Tell me what tax you pay for my job?

 

[t&y]

Hey I don't assume to know, just guessing. I put a question mark... Don't taze me bro!!:yikes

No taser, those are scary and kill people. I was thinking more along the lines beating the info into you with my ASP:skull

 

[t&y]

Tell me what tax you pay for my job?

I'm not the one bringing up taxes paid to the state. You seem to think it's relevant for the discussion, so what tax do you pay that goes to public safety that I as a police office do not pay myself?

 

[was thatguy]

No taser, those are scary and kill people. I was thinking more along the lines beating the info into you with my ASP:skull

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/us-top-court-divided-over-facebook-death-threats-case/ar-BBgcxnG

:yikes:yikes:yikes

 

[Reddy Too]

I snapped this picture when leaving.

I have noticed this several times, so figured rather than complain or assume, I'd ask for a logical explanation.


View attachment 379250

So quit being a pussy and ask them. But you rather act like a tough guy behind a keyboard.

 

[Abc123]

I'm not the one bringing up taxes paid to the state. You seem to think it's relevant for the discussion, so what tax do you pay that goes to public safety that I as a police office do not pay myself?

It's not and neither is your attitude.

Can you stay on track here and answer the question at hand? You are an LEO so please shed light on the subject.

Are unoccupied running cop cars a part of my public safety? If so why. Be an officer for a minute and answer my question. I am not attacking you and I'd appreciate the same in return.

 

[t&y]

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/us-top-court-divided-over-facebook-death-threats-case/ar-BBgcxnG

:yikes:yikes:yikes

Thatguy..lol.. obviously didn't use enough emoticons in his facebook posts. No wonder she took the threats seriously.

 

[Abc123]

So quit being a pussy and ask them. But you rather act like a tough guy behind a keyboard.

Wow. Name calling. I AM asking. Aren't there several LEOs on this board?

 

[VoodooMedMan]

I understand that, but I "normal person" doesn't leave my car running while I go into a restaurant for a meal.



Really? I have an axe to grind? I am asking a legitimate question.

I could say the same as you about the same people being so pro-let cops do whatever they want. lol

It's not you. It's your car. It's normal. It doesn't have all the public safety stuff going on.

And about pro cop versus not... Find a thread that I've started praising cops for doing their job. Now I can find all kind of threads started by you questioning cops. And you are always on defense about it.

Make no mistake. I've never hid it. I give your left nut to be a cop. I am currently in process for some federal agencies and some local agencies in other states. I have also said that cops are just like everyone else. Their are bad ones and good ones and everything in between. I'll be the first to call out a douchebag cop. And I can can spot the douchebaggery better than most non LEO. I also have no problem telling any cop I know that what they did was a dick move if I witness it or they are telling me something.

Just looks like you seriously have a problem with cops and always question them. If you are seriously interested in all these questions the go to your local PD and ask to schedule a ridealong. Good or bad you will have your questions answered.

 

[Reddy Too]

Wow. Name calling. I AM asking. Aren't there several LEOs on this board?

You didn't when you took the picture.

 

[was thatguy]

Thatguy..lol.. obviously didn't use enough emoticons in his facebook posts. No wonder she took the threats seriously.

yep! One smiley could of sprung him!!

 

[t&y]

It's not and neither is your attitude.

Can you stay on track here and answer the question at hand? You are an LEO so please shed light on the subject.

Are unoccupied running cop cars a part of my public safety? If so why. Be an officer for a minute and answer my question. I am not attacking you and I'd appreciate the same in return.

My attitude...lol

Are unoccupied cop cars running part of your public safety? Yes.

So back to reality. I don't care if you like may attitude or not. You have proven to be nothing more than an antagonist so why would anyone in here think your post is anything less?

 

[Abc123]

It's not you. It's your car. It's normal. It doesn't have all the public safety stuff going on.

And about pro cop versus not... Find a thread that I've started praising cops for doing their job. Now I can find all kind of threads started by you questioning cops. And you are always on defense about it.

Make no mistake. I've never hid it. I give your left nut to be a cop. I am currently in process for some federal agencies and some local agencies in other states. I have also said that cops are just like everyone else. Their are bad ones and good ones and everything in between. I'll be the first to call out a douchebag cop. And I can can spot the douchebaggery better than most non LEO. I also have no problem telling any cop I know that what they did was a dick move if I witness it or they are telling me something.

Just looks like you seriously have a problem with cops and always question them. If you are seriously interested in all these questions the go to your local PD and ask to schedule a ridealong. Good or bad you will have your questions answered.

It's not just cops and if I come across that way, I apologize. I am curious about everything and so I question everything like religion, politics, thoughts and etc.

I haven't mentioned waste, environmental impact, that cops are wasteful or made any accusations.

And for the record. I DO NOT HATE ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS. Calm down peoples.

EDIT:

I just looked at the last 100 threads I have started. 2 are about Law Enforcement. That means that less than 2% of what subjects I bring up on this board are about LEOs.