[Curious EMT]

Well, I've had a few ?'s, and figured I'de ask tham alll at once. Thanks in advance!

1) I see many different MSP vehicles. Standard, slicktop, unmarked, and nonconventional, out there. How do they select who get what? I assume certin units automaticaly get non-conventional, but how do they decide who gets the unmarked and slicktops, or even the Dodge's as opposed to the traditional Fr and Eb Blue full-light bar rides?

2) What is the MSP policy on modifying your car? (I.E., Tint, more lights, fog lights, etc)

3) I drive in excess of 60,000 miles/year for business. Mass highways are my 2nd home. I have programed in my phone the direct number a few of the baracks, as I've called each one at least 3 or 4 times about MVA or alike in the last 3 or 4 years. Would the MSP prefer me to dial 911/*SP/*MSP as opposed to a direct barack if im positive im in that area? Sometimes I find that 911 rings forever at times,.....

4) What is the MSP policy on stoping for a DMV? Very often I will pull over when on the cell phone, becasue I need to take notes or to be able to pay more attention to the conversation, and have only once had a trooper stop, it was the only time i had my "4 ways" flashing, I have seen at least 3 fly right by, and im sure theres many i never saw because i was busy writing or whatever.

5) Are you encouraged to keep your portable in your POV when off duty? I was once told it was encouraged, just curious.

6) I've seen the Pike's roadside assistance crews out there stoping at DMV's, that ever turn into a problem? Are they trained on anything other than changing tires? Are they armed? Sounds silly, but I imagine somewhere, some tow truck operator was killed or attacked when he stoped to assist a DMV nutcase....

7) Where is vehicle maintance done? I know there's a repair facility out west, but are the cape guys driving 100 miles for an oil change?
What about gas, I have seen some filling up at local stations, paid out of pocket/reimbursed?

I know they may seem frivilous, but, curiosity has the best of me...

 

[Killjoy]

I'll try to answer your questions to the best of my ability...

1. Troopers in field division generally drive fully marked (overhead lights) or semi-marked cruisers (full paint, no overhead lights.) There are a smaller number of unmarked cruisers (civilian paint scheme, cruiser plates) in field as well for Troopers on regular patrol. As far as cruiser issue goes, it goes by what is available and seniority. If fleet had only fully marked when your number comes up, that's what you get. If fleet happens to have some semi-marked or unmarked cruisers available, the troopers who happen to go when they're available get them on a seniority basis. Specialized units like the CAT team(community action team), who specialize in motor vehicle enforcement generally get unmarked cruisers or other types of cars not likely to attract attention (Dodge Intrepids, etc.) Detective units get a hodgepodge of unmarked cars without MSP plates; (Intrepids, Taurus's, Impala's), or even confiscated drug cars of any make. Truck teams generally get SUV's or pickup trucks, but not always, and there are a number of specialized unit vehicles like vans, buses or trucks (dive teams, marine unit, etc.)
2. Vehicle modifications are allowed, if approved by fleet, and reasonable.
3. Call the barracks specifically, the 911 system often misdirects calls to the wrong barracks.
4. The breakdown lane is for emergency use only, its not a place to stop and make phone calls. I know your trying to do the right thing, but the BDL is not really a safe place to be. I've known far to many people who got smacked in the breakdown lane. Get a headset, or if you have to, stop at a gas station or plaza.
5. I have never carried a portable in my PC, nor have I ever heard of Troopers doing that.
6. The Pike as well as the field barracks have specially trained and equipped personel in "Help" vans or trucks to free up Troopers for more important calls during rush hour periods. They are not armed, they are just there to provide assistance and emergency lights, and I suppose they take as much of a chance as a tow-truck driver.
7. Maintainence is done at the Troop level (ie, each Troop has its own garage). And there is a main garage at GHQ in Framingham.

 

[reno911_2004]

Killjoy, after the last few days of certain people's BS on here, it was nice to see someone take the time to answer another's questions such a thorough way. I honestly expected the first reply to this thread to be "Who friggin cares?!" Kudos! :thumbup:

 

[Curious EMT]

Cool thanks,,, i was most curious about the 911 calls, but I appreciate it!

 

[KozmoKramer]

Killjoy, after the last few days of certain people's BS on here, it was nice to see someone take the time to answer another's questions such a thorough way. I honestly expected the first reply to this thread to be "Who friggin cares?!" Kudos! :thumbup:

Ditto Reno! Its good to be able to offer some props when they are deserved.
Killjoy :thumbup:

Curious EMT - click on the link below.
Its a question I posed a while back. There is some pretty good information here as well.
State Police Vehicle Thread

 

[Curious EMT]

Ah yes, i remember that thread!

 

[phuzz01]

One other thing about the *SP thing from someone up in New Hampshire...

Where a cell call to *SP gets directed to depends on what cell tower you are hitting. So we at NHSP get tons and tons of calls from people in Mass. reporting MVA's, reckless operators, etc. in Mass. They are trying to reach MSP and dial *SP, but because they are close to the NH border, the call hits a NH cell tower and gets routed to us. For some reason, we have even gotten calls from people in RI and CT dialing *SP. So what do you do about it, you ask?

Dial the state's two digit code. So, for example, MA in telephone numbers is 62, so if you dial *62, you will get the MSP. NH is 64, so dialing *64 will get you the NHSP.

 

[KozmoKramer]

Dial the state's two digit code. So, for example, MA in telephone numbers is 62, so if you dial *62, you will get the MSP. NH is 64, so dialing *64 will get you the NHSP.

PHUZZ - thanks for that tip! KK

 

[dcs2244]

Phuzz, I did not know that...thanks!

A note about the BDL: If you are stopped in the BDL, your speed relative to traffic is approximately -75-80 MPH(that's negative...). If you are struck, stand by for a rapid acceleration in a very short (milliseconds) period of time.

It is best to turn the telephone off and stop periodically at the service areas to check your messages/make calls.

This may seem like an imposition, but we didn't always have cell phones and the union didn't dissolve .

 

[Curious EMT]

Thanks for all your input!!!

 

[MVS]

I can't understand why anyone would stop in the BDL for a cellphone call :shock: :shock: .. thats some scary shi#.. cars zipping by at 80+mph, many doing what everyone does, talk on their cellphones. Hopefully they're paying attention... how many times have you seen someone slightly swerve off to the right or left on the highway? I've seen it many times... done it a few times myself.. :? ... I got a flat last year on the pike and I'll tell ya, I spent more time watching the road than what I was doing to my tire... When I responded to a rollover on the pike a couple months ago, it was amazing how many people don't pay attention...

Sure, if you don't value your life, feel free to stop in the BDL. Don't be surprised when you get slammed and you wake up in your hospital room (if you're lucky). I can tell you from my experience working in a Boston Hospital and Town PD(s), you haven't seen shi^ yet :twisted: :twisted: .

Rest Area/plaza = Good
BDL: Breakdown Lane = BAD!!

 

[ArthurDPage]

I agree the BDL is a very dangerous place. I work in it everyday. I've heard stories but have been fortunate except for once but that was my own stupidity. I have a safety vest for a reason and I wasn't watching my surrondings.

 

[Hartmn]

Regarding the cell calls..Call 911..not the barracks. 911 generates a GPS position report on all reasonably new phones, it is also taped abd time stamped. In the event that something really critical is happening those 2 features can save lives and be invaluable later in criminal cases.

The 911 line gets bombarded if a serious accident happens, so dont feel bad if you get a very "short and to the point" response, after the first 30 calls on the same accident, we know its there.

Call the 911 line as a general rule..

 

[Killjoy]

Regarding the cell calls..Call 911..not the barracks. 911 generates a GPS position report on all reasonably new phones, it is also taped abd time stamped. In the event that something really critical is happening those 2 features can save lives and be invaluable later in criminal cases.

Unless the 911 system directs the call to a barracks across the state...which happens frequently..

 

[SPO280]

Unless the 911 system directs the call to a barracks across the state...which happens frequently..

Actually, that never happends. Calls go to either, HQ in Framingham, Northampton or Middleboro. *SP calls all go to HQ but is not used any longer.

 

[209]

Rest Area/plaza = Good
BDL: Breakdown Lane = BAD!!

In NY they have that cell phone law and people are such dummys about it....I was on the Thruway in traffic and we were all cruising .... faster than the posted 65mph....at any rate with the traffic in front of me didnt realize it until we were passing this retard who pulled over just off the FAST LANE on a Bridge where they were inches from being in the fast lane. All we could say was oh shit. That freaking car must have shook so bad when we passed it....i know if i was in it i would shit myself.

 

[Curious EMT]

People in NY and NJ have a tendancy to pull to whatever side is closer, left or right, for
*cell phone use
*DMV
*being stoped by the police

I was frequenting DC and NJ by vehicle a lot for a while, and without a doubt I would see multiple vehicles in the high-speed break down lane for one of the above reasons. NJ drivers are by far the absolut worse drivers in the country, and I've driven in most of it. They have absolutetly ZERO driving skills. We may be a-holes here in Mass, but it does take quite a bit of ability to drive in this state. The only thing I try to avoid more than vehicles bearing that yellow license plate are the drivers with those big boxed prescription sun glasses.

 

[2-Delta]

You mean the old people with those NVD's? lol

 

[2-Delta]

How is senority determined between people of the same RTT? Based on last name, academy standings or all considered the same?

 

[Tango]

How is senority determined between people of the same RTT? Based on last name, academy standings or all considered the same?

Based in class rank..badge numbers are determined alphabetically (last name)