is this illegal?

[niennumb1]

As some might know I have been slowly working on a Transformers themed car, but more a legit looking car more than something slapped with the "Transformers" name all over it. I have an emblem and Decepticon lettering on my car and I'm getting tinting done today (yay!!!).

The big question I have been looking online about is regarding a certain decal I found online that is an exact replica of one used in the film in theaters now. I've been all over WA State Patrol sites to see what the legalities of this are, but really would love to have this decal on my car if I'm able:



Obviously you can see why I'm in question over it. Clearly it's not a legit police logo belonging to any affiliation. It has the bad guy logo on it stuff, but however it does still say "police" and I just need to see if it's okay to have that on my car. I'm not planning to put sirens on my car or anything, I just really love that emblem.

Well if anyone knows I'd surely appreciate it. I emailed the state patrol about it with a picture link, but I dunno when I'll hear back. Perhaps someone here knows legalities of this matter. I certainly don't want to get fined or arrested for having this on my vehicle.

Thanks!

[matt_a]

I can't say for sure because I don't know the specific laws for your area...but I HIGHLY DOUBT that you will be allowed to put that on your car. No matter what else the decal says, it says, "POLICE" and that's a great big no-no.

[ace rothstein 81]

I don't know with 100% certainty, but it definitely seems to me that this is something law enforcement agencies would have a bit of a problem with. That is, of course, assuming that you're going to have it very large and on the doors.

[OKVersa]

My thought is no. I can't see any law enforcement agency agreeing that a civilian can have a police logo on their car, even if it isn't their own agency.

But another thought....what if someone was in REAL trouble, saw your car and counted on you for help, thinking you were a police officer? You'd feel really badly that you'd misled someone - even unintentionally.

You could even open yourself up for a civil lawsuit.

It isn't worth it, IMHO.

[biggie]

I think it would be fine if you found a way to cover the word "Police" or change it to something else. But definately can't leave it as is.

[niennumb1]

I figured as such. Just had a feeling with that whole POLICE thing, heh...

I read all kinds of other stuff like people doing paint schemes and reinforced fronts that look very much like police cars, but they are okay.

We have some weird laws, but I would understand the whole police thing.

The decal is about 8.5 inches by 7 or 6 inches.

It's funny people produce stuff like this to purchase for consumers. A true high grade decal for cars, yet it could be highly illegal to drive with.

I recently bought a jacket at Hot Topic that had the same insignia on back:

These must be okay to wear if they're selling them at clothing stores. I know there's always been that concern that you can't wear Police stuff because you can get in trouble for impersonating an officer of the law.

Anyway it is weird. Hopefully I don't get arrested for having a Transformers jacket, LOL!

[matt_a]

Hopefully I don't get arrested for having a Transformers jacket, LOL!

You might...by the fashion police!

[Ever Victorious]

That sticker is most definitely illegal in WA... for one, looking too much like a legitimate police decal, and second, because it is reflective. Only certain vehicles are allowed to have reflective writing or decals on them, mostly emergency vehicles and DOT vehicles.

The jacket, however, is quite legal.

[KimberKenobi]

KSP told me I could make my entire car reflective if that was my wish ;oD

You may luck out and just need to cover where it says "POLICE" with a magnet unless you are at a show or hanging out with other car peoples, so keep the faith and check with your state...

If no dice, then you could see about having a custom design made incorporating the transformers logo...

[Ever Victorious]

Nein is also from WA... so the laws I stated above apply to him.

A custom sticker would have to not incorporate the word "police", and can't be reflective.

[KimberKenobi]

You V owners have to stop ending up in WA... this is creepy...

Well then, only thing to do is to make a custom decal then! ;oD

Those are fun to design and draft out!! (I did my propeller myself ;oD)

If the laws are such, you may want to stay away from the 'badge' shape of that decal as well... maybe do a diamond or circle instead.

[PB]

LOL Remove the Police and you will be safe.

[Ever Victorious]

And the material cannot be reflective. Serious no-no in this state.

[07Vsdn]

i say legal. i just saw on CMT a guy and his friend drive a general lee charger followed by a hazard county sheriff's car on the interstate to tennessee (forgot the starting point). fully marked with red and blues.

to impersonate a police officer you have to take actual police action.

merely putting a police sticker on your vehicle is not impersonating a police officer.

take for instance motortrend. they were completely legal in test driving the "dodge city" police charger all over hollywood, ca. this vehicle had numerous stickers with "police" on it and also a light bar and strobes.

http://www.motortrend.com/road...rison



now, if they pulled someone over with it, they are then breaking the law.

i guess it is possible that WA state has some really strict laws but with out actually seeing the code myself i'd risk it.

think about all the fraternal order of POLICE stickers that would be illegal and all those reflective state farm insurance stickers that would be illegal.

Modified by 07Vsdn at 5:20 AM 7/19/2007
Modified by 07Vsdn at 5:22 AM 7/19/2007

[07Vsdn]

you can search the washington state code here:

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/

Looking around I didn't find any restrictions on reflective material although I did find possible restrictions on the mounting (and obviously use) of emergency lights.

I found that you are REQUIRED to have reflectors on your vehicle although these were to be red in color.

[drummernamedpat]

Even though it may be legal, do you really want to put that on your car? It is a cool idea, but the word Police, even if it was legal, will make you a cop magnet. And if you get pulled over they are not going to cut you any slack. Speaking from experience of getting out of tickets (pulled over 16-18 times, I have lost track, and only having 3 or 4 tickets) you don't want to give them fuel to write you a nice fat ticket.

Change it to something else, like "Death Squad"? I don't know, I am not really original so my ideas are just stupid. I have thought about (if I ever have the money) doing a storm trooper theme for the graphics.

[niennumb1]

Sounds like overall this probably isn't worth the headaches of going through with it, lol!

I guess i'll think of something else creative that I might be happy with. The police Decepticon emblem is definitely a cool looking decal, but not worth the trouble.

Besides I might get shot up one day cuz someone doesn't like the cops, lol!

Thanks for all the great responses and input! Moderators can close this thread if they'd like

[nfntruth]

I am surprised at some of the responses about a small decal with the word Police on it? What if it was a decal for the band "The Police"?

[drummernamedpat]

"The" Police is totally different. Besides it goes against the rock n roll gods to put that band name in writing without their permission. So there is trouble with that one too!

[niennumb1]

Well, I got my reply from the Police department today. Here's the final word as quoted by the state patrol:

"Thank you for your inquiry to the Washington State Patrol.

Unfortunately the logo would not be legal to have on your vehicle. Regardless of which logo was on the insignia, it would still be identifying you as a police officer. The Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 9.16.020 Imitating lawful brand. – states:

“Every person who, in any county, places upon any property, any brand or mark in the likeness or similitude of another brand or mark filed with the county auditor of such county by the owner thereof as a brand or mark for the designation or identification of a like kind of property, is:

(1) If done with intent to confuse or commingle such property with, or to appropriate to his or her own use, the property of such other owner, guilty of a felony, and be punished by imprisonment in a state correctional facility for not more than five years, or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year, or by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars, or by both fine and imprisonment; or

(2) If done without such intent, guilty of a misdemeanor.”

If we may be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,

WSP Webmaster"

So that's the final word as I was prety much leaning toward thinking it was very illegal. Oh well.... And police cars can use whatever tint they want on their cars.... go figure, LOL!!!!

[Martin Roy]

Worst case scenario... Just put a Decepticon logo on the side. It would still look pretty good !

[stevejonas1088]

Glad to see WHP will actually respond to a question. You correctly stated previously, about not being a good idea, cause people may shoot at you for thinking you were a cop. I work Hotel Security here in Vegas. Our uniforms look simular to NHP. On the way to or from work. I cant count how many times, I am mistaken for a cop. I stop at the store to buy cigs/drinks etc. People sometimes approach me. Even though the emblem on my arm, and my badge, clearly state Security Officer. Especially now that I am armed with a .40 cal. People clam up around me, its kinda funny sometimes though. Others its just friggin annoying having people stare at me, trying to act all hard and stuff.

[niennumb1]

Worst case scenario... Just put a Decepticon logo on the side. It would still look pretty good !

It's about a 2 month old picture (I blacked out my hubcaps and tinted windows since then) but I already have a logo on the sides:

[XterraVersa]

Just call the local DOT and ask. very simple.

[Ever Victorious]

DOT wouldn't necessarily know or care, which is why he emailed the Washington State Patrol.

[KimberKenobi]

DOT wouldn't necessarily know or care, which is why he emailed the Washington State Patrol.

Seems ironic... doesn't it? DOT not knowing it's own regulations ...

The DOT guy in my state had to look up my tint question (in re: to color tints) and call me back (and he did this before he knew who I worked with)... And he did so in a reasonable amount of time... Of course, I also have luck with the troopers...

I think the current logos look good... are you thinking of maybe making them bigger? You could probably also have something similar if you had "Decepticon" decal made and did the est. date...

Just some thoughts ;oD

Good Luck with your theme car! (if you get on cardomain, you need to join my theme car group, it's actually pretty small and sad, but it's there ... )

[XterraVersa]

DOT wouldn't necessarily know or care, which is why he emailed the Washington State Patrol.

I guess some states keep them separate. I work for the DOT here & we set all the regulations & the State Patrol enforces them. So either can tell you about the legality of modifying your vehicle.

[Ever Victorious]

Perhaps your DOT is defined differently in your state.

Ours fixes/builds roads and runs the ferry system. They have nothing to do with creation or enforcement of laws. Ask a typical DOT worker if it's legal to cross a gore point and they'll say yes... but in reality it's a $492 ticket, and can also get you slapped with negligent driving.

Legislation is done by our (drumroll...) Legislature, and enforcement is done by the police agencies. Foremost responsibility of law enforcement on the highways is the Washington State Patrol. Hence, why they have to know the laws better than anyone else.

[KimberKenobi]

Well... just for the sake of argument... That's like saying you can ask any law enforcement employee about the Kentucky Revised Statute...

Sure, if you're asking a DOT employee who works on construction/building/maintenance, they won't have any idea about DOT regulations, but there's a reason why things are considered DOT approved and not DOT approved...

Some state workers are just state workers, but it is highly likely that if you call your DOT (Department of Transportation) and tell them that you'd like information about what is legal on vehicles, they will connect you with their DOT officer and that individual(s) would be able to assist you. I agree that DOT encompasses a lot of territory, but I doubt that it is really that different in Washington... I mean, it's still DOT and DOT is a department which sets regulations pertaining to transportation, takes care of the roads, etc.

I just thought of a better analogy... I work for the Department of Corrections. I work specifically for Probation and Parole... have a question about being probated, being paroled, being revoked, transferring through ISC, etc., I'm your chick! Want to know about what'll happen to you in prison, what prison programs are available, etc. I am not your chick. But both fall under DOC. As does the complete code of KRS. As me about statutes? I could look it up. Ask my secretary, she'll pass you on to me. As the jailer at the prison, they probably will say they're not sure because they don't strictly deal with the statutes on a daily basis - but they are just as much a part of the DOC.

I'm sorry, I'll cease my threadjacking... I'm just wanting to say that this is what makes sense to me and from my point of view, each state is different, but there are some ways in which all 50 are set up alike and I believe that this is one of them.

I'll be online tomorrow for further comments ;oD

[damnedkero]

did i was the only one that saw the movie or the logo at the start of this post...and imagined a tiida transformer???