No Unmarked Cars for Tickets

What's happening

Why it matters

1. 1

   Enhances transparency and public trust. By requiring that police vehicles and officers conducting routine traffic stops be clearly marked and identifiable, the bill aims to improve public confidence in law enforcement interactions and reduce the perception of deceptive policing tactics.

2. 2

   Reduces potential for abuse or misconduct. Limiting the use of unmarked and undercover vehicles for routine stops may help prevent situations where drivers feel vulnerable to impersonation, intimidation, or ambiguous encounters with law enforcement.

3. 3

   Clarifies police authority and intent. The prohibition on "ghost graphics" and concealed-identity vehicles ensures that motorists can more readily recognize legitimate police presence, potentially reducing confusion, unsafe pullovers, and confrontations during traffic stops.

Who cares

• New York State Police

  The bill would prohibit the agency from using unmarked or concealed-identity vehicles and undercover officers for routine stops or apprehensions of motorists for vehicle and traffic law offenses.

• Motorists

  Drivers would no longer face routine traffic enforcement by State Police using those vehicles or undercover officers.

• Police vehicle graphics suppliers

  The prohibition would cover State Police vehicles using ghost graphics, defined as low-visibility wraps or decals designed to blend into a vehicle’s original design and paint scheme.

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History

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