Joseph J. Hawk, Jr
Pittston Township Police, Pennsylvania
Side mirror lights offer great warning power and high visibility lighting at a 'different' angle. They are a safety plus for the responding officer, especially in the ever-crucial intersection, where you need to be seen. However, for the officer that is on the traffic stop they may not be so safe. Picture this: You are working the graveyard shift, you pull over a vehicle for a minor infraction. As we all know, we have no idea what is going through that driver's mind. Are they ready to run? Worse yet, are they willing and ready to try and take your life? You activate your emergency lighting (including your side mirror lights) and they pull over waiting and watching for you to get out.
The mirror lights are great in doing what they were designed to do. However, may pose a serious problem on traffic stops. That driver's side mirror light is an indicator that you exited your patrol car. It moves with the position of your driver’s door. Whether they plan on taking off after you exit your car or doing you harm, this just may give them that tactical advantage. My suggestion is to talk to whomever you have to, not to get ride of mirror lights all together but have them put on a separate switch, a kill switch when the vehicle is in park or an over ride when your take downs and/or side spot light is activated just to name a few. I believe that if you present this as an officer safety issue, your department should have no problem with the change. Stay Safe my fellow Brothers and Sisters!
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