Transportation and Vehicle Safety: Questions for a Story, bart train, unmarked police car

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I’m writing a story set in California (around L.A. if that helps) and I have several questions about the following scenario:

An off-duty police officer is driving home alone late at night after his shift. He sees a car stopped on the side of the road with its emergency flashers on because one of its tires has blown out.  There are no other cars driving on the road.

So my main question is how likely are each of the following:

1) he stops to help the person change the tire

2) he still has on his uniform

3) he’s driving his own personal car home

4) he’s driving an unmarked police car home

Some other questions:

5) If it’s possible he’s driving an unmarked car, how likely is it that the car has a dash-cam?

6) If he did stop, would he let someone at his department know that he had stopped before getting out to help, even though he's off-duty?

I hope this makes sense, and thanks in advance,

Allison


ANSWER: Hello Allison and welcome to AllExperts.

Due to your time sensitive request, I'm writing this on my iPhone while on a BART train, so please excuse my poor finger pecking!!

Ok, let me answer this in my own order if I may .....

Due to liability and availability of vehicles, the only officers that usually take home their police vehicles are motorcycle officers (90%).

Detectives, division chiefs and the like also do with some  departments as they are on call (5%).

Most Lieutenants, sergeants and officers wear uniforms while those higher in rank or detectives wear suits. Very very few officers will wear their uniform home, and almost never will  involve themselves in police activities unless such action is required for safety. They usually will never have a police radio and most of their duty equipment is at the department. To attempt assistence with this great disadvantage is never wise.

As to DashCams, many departments don't have them and those that do are in fully marked patrol cars.

Given your scenario, the officer is most likely driving his/her own car home in plain clothes and would not assist a flat tire. If he did, most of the time he wouldn't use their cellphone to advise dispatch (they will have no radio).

I hope this has helped. Please advise if you have more questions.

Terry

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for getting back to me so quick. Based on your responses I'm now thinking of having the cop be on-duty at the time he encounters the vehicle with the flat tire, so a few more questions in light of his being on-duty:

1) how likely would it be that he stops and helps change the tire?

2) if he did stop, would he advise dispatch? And what would he tell dispatch?

3) would he ask to see the driver's license and registration or would he just offer to help?

Thanks!

Answer
Hi again Allison.....

You are correct. Officers will usually either advise dispatch of a disabled motorist, or time permitting, provide aid directly. Other than CHP, most all officers will advise dispatch anytime they are off on a detail, whether it be an on-view or detailed to them.

Most officers would not directly provide actual hands on maintenance, but would assist in contacting AAA or a tow service.

Most motorist assists, the officer will not ask for ID unless they see a need to such as suspicious behaviour, paraphernalia, or obvious signs and syptoms of illegal activity.

I hope this helps Allison!

Terry