Authority of the Federal Prosecutor's Police? Their 'police cruisers'...WTF?

Factual Questions
1

During my morning commute, the traffic was limping along at 30 MPH over a bridge where the speed limit was 45 MPH. Because lanes were shifted to the left (but not reduced on impeded in any way), I needed to get from the left lane to the far right (two lanes total).

Anyway, I was running out of time, but a few cars ahead of me would not go over 30. Finallly, a police car moves to the right…and no one passes him. The guy in front of me needed to get over to the right, too, as indicated by him looking and turning on his right turn signal/inidactor. He opts not to pass the officer, even though he could have done so with 15 MPH to spare!!!

Finally, he panics and cuts into the right lane, and now I have no right lane options, so I punch the accel, bolt up to 50, pass the police car and duck into the right lanes in a few seconds.

I notice el Copo car is actually a “Federal Prosecutor’s Office Police” cruiser (nice side logo). “POLICE” is written in mirror image on the hood. “Police” is on the back, all decals and embelms look very official. Lights, etc.

So, what does Mr. Federal Prosecutor’s Office Police Officer do? He jumps out and bolts around a number of cars and swoops up behind me like he has some degree of authority and purpose.

I ain’t buying his act (I don’t know his purpose or authority, but I am guessing he has none over me). I proceed to merge with I-95 traffic and do so at easily 10-15 mph over the speed limit. He is on my tail. I exit as I normally do and deliberately drive down roads that make no sense on a morning commute (three rights followed by three lefts sort of nonsense).

He follows me. I am actually at this point gesturing my hand as if to blow him off and visibly luaghing at this guy. I get to my office parking lot and he follows me bu then speeds away like something came up. I made a number of ‘puh-lease!’ type gestures, and was hoping this guy tried to do something. He saw me – clearly.

Even after some Googling today, I have no clue as to what authority this guy had, but I am very curious, because he acted like he had alot, and I acted like he was bluffing. I got some nerve, but that’s me.

Did I win the bluff?

2

I am assuming that you were in the US. Are you asking whether he had the authority to cite you for a traffic offense, or some other crime he believed you had committed? I think the answer is clearly yes. At the very least, he could detain you until local authorities arrived.

In general, state laws grant police officers authority anywhere in the state. So a cop from San Francisco still has arrest powers in Oakland, for example. I used to live in a small town about 100 miles north of NYC, and our area was regularly patrolled by five different police agencies. Needles to say, this often led to turf battles.

But I have no idea what “Federal Prosecutor’s Police” would be. A federal prosecutor works for the Department of Justice, and their law enforcement division is called the US Marshals Service. Of course, the DOJ also includes the FBI, the DEA, the Bureau of ATF… I guess I’m real curious to learn who that was, more than anyhting else.

3

Oops: Yes, I was driving from New Jersey, USA to Pennsylvania, USA – And so was he.

I guess I am questioning whether he could cite me for traffic violations, or even detain me.

Since I don’t recognize his vehicle, nor his authority, I can tell you right now I had absolutley no intention of stopping should he have attempted to ‘pull me over’ (which for thoses not familiar with this term is how people from the USA describe how the police put on their flashing lights and have you stop your vehicle…pulling over to the side of the road).

4

I’m often surprised by people afraid to go by a police vehicle going under the speed limit. It makes me think they have something to hide. I have often passed police going under the posted limit and have yet to be pulled over. As I don’t eyeball them I have not a clue whether they are surprised , laugh or are indifferent but if one ever pulls me over I’ll ask him (or her).

5

Unless a olice car has siren on and/or lights flashing, it’s just an ordinary car – though it does have police officer(s) inside who might be interested in you if you break the law. However, overtaking a car safely and under the speed imit is not breaking the law.

6

I spoke to a friend who went through the police academy although had to drop out due to health concerns and he stated the term for this behavior is "Black and white fever ". Sounds right to me.

7

My understanding is that while state and local police can enforce Federal laws, Federal police have no jurisdiction to enforce state and local laws, which is what traffic laws are.

8

The term “Federal Prosecutor’s Office Police” produces no Google hits. :dubious:

Periodically, some nutcase will make his own uniform & “police car”, & then do various things, some of which are unlawful.

Report this incident to the real Police.

9

I don’t know about Federal Prosecutor’s Police but there are a number of federal agencies that have uniformed police that don’t enjoy all the privledges of a municipal or state appointed law enforcement officer. For example, US Capitol police and federal prison guards are armed but don’t have the same privledges for concealed carry and powers of arrest while off duty.

I suspect the car the OP saw was a similar agency. As a matter of fact, I suspect it was actually a Federal Protective Service car.