Sen. Rogers Files Bill to Stop Police From Using Unmarked Police Cars in Traffic Stops
Beverly Cantrell - February 16, 2022 8:08 pm
An unmarked version of the Dodge Charger police cars.
TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — Senate Bill 1109 bans police departments from using unmarked cars to pull people over.
The bill was filed by Senator Cody Rogers, a republican from Tulsa.
In a press release Rogers office sent out he says, “The concern is that these vehicles are being used for revenue generation as opposed to tools for public safety on our roads.” He said, “People tend to pay more attention and have better driving habits when marked police cars are around. If we’re concerned about public safety, then we should get more of those vehicles out there.”
Tulsa FOP President Jeff Downs disagrees. “With the introduction of this bill it is something that will make the city of Tulsa less safe. In Tulsa the fatality collision rate has went up so has the amount of collisions our officers work,” said Downs.
Downs says Tulsa police typically work 45 fatal crashes a year – in 2021 that number rose to 74.
“It’s very useful to have unmarked cars monitoring and enforcing traffic laws in the city of Tulsa,” said Downs “There is no benefit to the citizens of Tulsa or to the citizens of Oklahoma, this law does nothing to improve safety.”
In a poll on twitter, when asked about their feelings on unmarked police cars 40% said the police should be able to pull people over in unmarked cars, 60% said no.
