Well..... unfortunately official-type folks that control guns & whether you walk around in public or not would respectfully disagree with that opinion. Here's a few brief examples....
https://www.1015thehawk.com/2022/06...ce-paraphernalia-from-decommissioned-cop-car/ https://nslegislature.ca/legc/bills/63rd_3rd/3rd_read/b001.htm The Nova Scotia Police Identity Management Act of 2021, Chapter 8, Acts of 2021.
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes...ute&URL=0800-0899/0843/Sections/0843.085.html http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes...tute&URL=0300-0399/0319/Sections/0319.14.html Two law cites here, A) Florida Statutes, F.S. 843.085. Specifically check wording in Subsection "2". Also, Florida is so bad now that agencies have to repaint cars before sale to remove any markings or color combinations that might even remotely confuse people, under B) - Florida Statutes, F.S. 319.14 (5).
I was looking for the case from Pennsylvania that I previously mentioned so I could cite it, but I can't find it on a quick search as the Google results are always changing. I don't have a current Westlaw subscription so I can't use that resource either. It's still out there though somewhere.
https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/hernando-deputies-arrest-police-impersonater/67-300179306 Here's one from 2014 in Florida.... Based on the news report the Police Interceptor emblem displayed on the vehicle factored in to support this guy's arrest, although not the sole reason. Note this quote in part from the perp....
(NAME) said that he installed all of the police-related equipment on/in his vehicle so that "no one would mess with him."
It's a very dangerous mindset to assume blanket absolutes when you are dealing with a myriad of local, state, and some cases regional/federal laws - all of which can empower enforcement-type people to enter your life via either for a brief friendly conversation, traffic stop/temporary detention, or far worse. Should you be able to display that emblem with immunity from officialdom screwing with you? YES, it's just the placard for a specific model of vehicle made by the Ford Motor Company (which BTW assumes no liability for what you do with their product!). However... in today's reality with all the fake police impersonators wandering about the streets, there's been enough incidents to where a few bad apples have forever tainted things. That unobtrusive Ford Motor Company emblem just provides fresh red meat for someone that's eager to stop & enforce.
There's no uniform standards in passing laws, many times it's a kneejerk reaction by elected officials to a high-profile event, pile-on event(s), or even forceful public opinion (read: mobs of torqued-off citizens!) by average joes and/or the media of current & recent events. Unfortunately a lot of laws do get passed every year that won't withstand a court challenge, but that won't stop Officer Friendly from enforcing his or her interpretation & understanding of them until they're off the books, whatever motivations (and there can be many!) may be. Overzealous perhaps.... but at the end of the day you still have to take the ride if things go south for you. Snap decisions for cops to start the process take seconds, but can have lifelong ramifications. Over a stupid little stick-on emblem.
That old quote from the movie Wargames sorta fits here...
"A strange game. The only winning move is not to play".
Eric
I've had elected officials that have both worked with me and for me, and have good Master friends in at least one of the same social circles you run in (in my geographical branch and one or two others). Also I've run a forum board like this one for another police car brand in excess of 10 years now.
www.motor1.com
