Can you get pulled over by unmarked police cars in Arizona? What to do during a stop

If you've driven down an Arizona freeway, you've probably seen an unmarked police vehicle responding to a crash or an incident with lights and sirens on, revealing an otherwise hidden police officer blending in amongst the chaos of statewide traffic.

Metro Phoenix police departments typically have hundreds of unmarked cars in their fleet.

Arizona Department of Public Safety had approximately 280 unmarked police vehicles in their fleet, while Mesa police had 290, Chandler had 119 and Peoria 78.

These vehicles often differed in usage, with some "aggressive pursuers" like Chevrolet Camaros and Dodge Chargers available to DPS, according to Sgt. Eric Andrews.

However, most police vehicles are used for non-patrol usage, such as administrative purposes by detectives or public information officers. Other unmarked vehicles are used for traffic enforcement and SWAT units, with unmarked vehicles appearing identical to marked patrol cars, with the exception of the outside police identifiers.

But do those unmarked police vehicles have the same ability to pull you over as marked patrol vehicles do?

Here's what Arizona law enforcement told us.

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What does Arizona law say about unmarked police vehicles?

Arizona Revised Statutes Section 28, 622.01 states that it is illegal for drivers to not pull over when commanded by an unmarked police vehicle if they know police are pursuing them or if the police have evidence to prove so.

"The rights and abilities of any law enforcement officer, not just state troopers, in the state of Arizona does not change whether in a marked or unmarked vehicle," said Andrews, citing ARS 28-624 and ARS 28-622.01.

Chandler police Detective Eva Zermeno said that unmarked vehicles within the city's jurisdiction are outfitted with emergency lights and sirens, enabling officers to make their appearance known and enforce the law should they observe a crime or traffic violation.

Mesa Detective Richard Encinas said, "Despite their unmarked status, officers operating these vehicles possess full police powers, including the authority to conduct traffic stops."

Encinas added that unmarked units that conduct traffic stops are required to have their lights and sirens displayed, with an officer's police insignia.

Drivers with nefarious intentions have ignored laws that prohibited red and blue emergency lights, a concern that even has made officers concerned for their safety.

"Even me as a law enforcement, I think that about it all the time when I'm driving in my regular car, I think about what I would do, so it's a real fear, " said Pima County Sheriff's Department Deputy Adam Schoonover.

Schoonover said it was common to see these kinds of lights within car collectors and others at car shows.

Scottsdale police Officer Aaron Bolin said, "Unfortunately, there have been cases of people imitating law enforcement in the past and illegally pulling people over. Thankfully, it does not happen too often."

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What to do if you're pulled over by an unmarked police vehicle

Statewide law enforcement agencies said the best way to verify if an unmarked police vehicle is legitimate is to safely pull over and call 911. Operators are trained to handle such a request.

Andrews said drivers should handle the interaction with the same respect as a marked vehicle.

"An unmarked vehicle does not symbolize anything special or specific about the state trooper driving it," Andrews said.

Andrews said that DPS' wide use of undercover units includes traffic stops, but drivers worried about impersonators could follow some general guidelines.

"If a person is concerned they are possibly being pulled over by an impersonator, they should turn on their hazard lights, slow their speed, pull to the right-most lane possible, drive to a well-lit and populated area, like a gas station or shopping center, and call 911 immediately," Andrews said.

He added that drivers should explain to 911 operators the concerns of legitimacy, which trained operators can then verify.

Officer Kristopher Babros of Peoria police said that drivers in the city's limits do not need to roll down the window all the way during a traffic stop and have every right to ask police for a badge or other identification.

Detective Richard Encinas echoed a point made earlier on Monday by Pima County Deputy Schoonover, that residents in Arizona had a duty to ensure their own safety and remain cautious in the face of potential police impersonators.

How can you identify an unmarked police vehicle?

Andrews of DPS said the biggest indicator of a police vehicle is the number and location of emergency red and blue lights.

"Legitimate unmarked law enforcement vehicles will almost always have a large number of lights on their vehicle, usually equipped with a full or half (just on passenger side) lightbar at the top of the windshield as well as multiple lights in the front grill," Andrews said.

"A vehicle trying to stop someone with just one or two small lights at the bottom of the windshield would be suspect to me," Andrews said.

Officer Babros of Peoria police said drivers should see if a police officer is wearing a proper uniform, a ballistic vest, or are openly identifying which police department they are with.

Police prefer to use marked units for traffic stops

A Pima County sheriff's deputy told The Republic that they prefer to make traffic stops using marked units for the benefit of the public, but that in specific circumstances a detective or undercover unit would respond to a regular traffic stop.

Peoria police Officer Babros said that the department prefers to use marked police vehicles to conduct traffic stops, but that on occasion unmarked vehicles need to conduct traffic stops.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Unmarked cop cars can pull you over in Arizona. What to know