Can I use blue/red lights (police like) or wear "police" t-shirts in GTA?

[jackwest]

Can I use a blue and red flashing light, like a police light on a car, or wear a t-shirt that says "POLICE", in say the GTA? If not, please provide the law.

[win-star]

No, you can not.

[jackwest]

but im not impersonating anyone, much less with intent. where is the law?

[gman]

If you wear a T-shirt that looks like police issue, what is your intention doing that?

However, if you wear a T-shirt about the band 'Police', that is another story.

About red and blue light of the car,

http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90h08_e.htm

Red and blue lights to the front restricted

(14.1) In addition to the lighting requirements in this Part, a police department vehicle may carry lamps that cast red and blue lights, but no other motor vehicle shall carry any lamp that casts red and blue lights to the front. 2007, c. 13, s. 17 (2).

[cooolway]

@jcoltage
What about Just-for-Laughs gags? They dress like cops all the time. I think that if you show a fake badge, then it might be a criminal act. Also, the thing that really annoys me that when stupid rent-a-cop from Union station or the parking enforcement dress like cops to intimidate people.

[jackwest]

how is a tshirt that says police on it police issue? i've never seen a cop wear one.

i want to put blue and red lights on my bicycle. that is not a motor vehicle.

i am not impersonating anyone and noone would mistake me for being a police officer with those lights.

[jackwest]

ah screwit, there goes my plan for the weekend

[BornRuff]

how is a tshirt that says police on it police issue? i've never seen a cop wear one.

i want to put blue and red lights on my bicycle. that is not a motor vehicle.

i am not impersonating anyone and noone would mistake me for being a police officer with those lights.

Bikes fall under most of the same laws as cars. The law is very restrictive on what sort of lights you can put on your car, a main reason being to restrict flashing lights to only emergency vehicles so that nobody is confused.

When driving, you don't always have tons of time to turn around and see what kind of car is coming at you, you just see the flashing lights and you know what it is.

[_Allan_]

@jcoltage
What about Just-for-Laughs gags? They dress like cops all the time. I think that if you show a fake badge, then it might be a criminal act. Also, the thing that really annoys me that when stupid rent-a-cop from Union station or the parking enforcement dress like cops to intimidate people.
They submit a written request to Montreal Police for permission to do this, then they tell MPD where this will happen, and exactly how it will happen. Though you do NOT see it, I'm 99% sure there is a real life cop, somewhere making sure no laws are broken during filming.

how is a tshirt that says police on it police issue? i've never seen a cop wear one.

i want to put blue and red lights on my bicycle. that is not a motor vehicle.

i am not impersonating anyone and noone would mistake me for being a police officer with those lights.

Putting blue/red lights on your bike can get you charged in Toronto ... and yes, TPD bicycles DO have flashing lights.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1278/866741940_c30eb44aab.jpg?v=1190745198

[Wing Nut]

Anyone who has to ask if he can use lights that look like police lights isn't mature enough to be allowed to drive. It's obviously illegal.

[tkl]

You will break the criminal code in two sections

130. Every one who

(a) falsely represents himself to be a peace officer or a public officer, or

(b) not being a peace officer or public officer, uses a badge or article of uniform or equipment in a manner that is likely to cause persons to believe that he is a peace officer or a public officer, as the case may be,

is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.

R.S., c. C-34, s. 119.




Personation

Personation with intent

403. Every one who fraudulently personates any person, living or dead,

(a) with intent to gain advantage for himself or another person,

(b) with intent to obtain any property or an interest in any property, or

(c) with intent to cause disadvantage to the person whom he personates or another person,

is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years or an offence punishable on summary conviction.

R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 403; 1994, c. 44, s. 27.

Personation at examination

404. Every one who falsely, with intent to gain advantage for himself or some other person, personates a candidate at a competitive or qualifying examination held under the authority of law or in connection with a university, college or school or who knowingly avails himself of the results of such personation is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.

R.S., c. C-34, s. 362.

Acknowledging instrument in false name

405. Every one who, without lawful authority or excuse, the proof of which lies on him, acknowledges, in the name of another person before a court or a judge or other person authorized to receive the acknowledgment, a recognizance of bail, a confession of judgment, a consent to judgment or a judgment, deed or other instrument is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years.

R.S., c. C-34, s. 363.

Doesn't apply unless he is IMPERSONATING, PASSES OFF, ETC.

[jakeer]

Doesn't apply unless he is IMPERSONATING, PASSES OFF, ETC.

Um, no. Read the whole thing, especially 130 (b):

(b) not being a peace officer or public officer, uses a badge or article of uniform or equipment in a manner that is likely to cause persons to believe that he is a peace officer or a public officer, as the case may be, is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.

So even just standing there wearing a uniform, using flashing lights, etc. without actually doing anything will cause you to run afoul of the law, because people might mistake you for an actual police officer, whether that was your intention or not.

[sjones]

If you're 350lbs and walking around with a tshirt which says police, I think it would be okay since I would doubt anyone would be fooled.

[Flyer]

Short version: No.
Long version: Noooooooooooooooooooo.

EDIT: This reminds me of the guy who said he wanted a Crown Victoria and put the police pushbar on it. Obvious troll is obvious.

This topic is now about Top Gear.

[Fox1971]

Also, the thing that really annoys me that when stupid rent-a-cop from Union station or the parking enforcement dress like cops to intimidate people.
Are you serious? Or just seriously ignorant? First of all, the parking enforcement officers in Toronto ARE members of the Toronto Police Service. Their uniforms are issued to them by their employers with "Toronto Police Parking Enforcement" on them. The purpose of their uniform is to identify them to the public, not to "dress like cops" or "intimidate people" as you stated in your not-so-well-informed post. Furthermore, if you are mistaking a PEO for a PC then you need to get your eyes checked because they wear different coloured uniforms. As for security guards, I doubt they are wearing their uniforms to intimidate anybody either. They are just trying to earn a pay cheque like anybody else and they all have to wear what they are issued by their employers too. If that annoys you so much then move to some podunk little town up north so you don't have to see them or maybe just grow up and think before you post.

[Kranberry]

If you're 350lbs and walking around with a tshirt which says police, I think it would be okay since I would doubt anyone would be fooled.

Heh...the 350lbs reminds me of this clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9C15vkvgbXg

[najibs]

You could always do this...

http://www.productappeal.com/photos/couples_costumes/sexy_man_costume.jpg

[jstaneon]

I think OP is trying to pickup some girls by pretending to be a police officer.

Perhaps a russian or korean girl? :razz:

[mjl_toronto]

Um, no. Read the whole thing, especially 130 (b):



So even just standing there wearing a uniform, using flashing lights, etc. without actually doing anything will cause you to run afoul of the law, because people might mistake you for an actual police officer, whether that was your intention or not.

Really? I have a police tshirt from when I worked there as a civilian and I wore it all the time around the house. Why would they even hand them out if you weren't a cop? Oh well

[tkl]

Short version: No.
Long version: Noooooooooooooooooooo.

EDIT: This reminds me of the guy who said he wanted a Crown Victoria and put the police pushbar on it. Obvious troll is obvious.


+ 1

Again, doesn't apply unless he is IMPERSONATING, PASSES OFF, ETC.