Leslie Massey
Unmarked police cars are used in Australia to police speeding and road rule violations covertly. While these cars are designed to blend in with regular traffic, there are several ways to identify them. Unmarked police cars are often equipped with traffic enforcement equipment such as number plate scanners, speed detection technology, and large antennas for communication. They may also have visible lights around the number plates and small black cylinders on the sides, which could be sirens. Additionally, some unmarked police cars have been observed with antennas installed in the front windshield or the base of an aerial without the antenna attached. It is worth noting that unmarked general duties/detective vehicles typically do not have speed-calculating equipment or license plate scanners and may be smaller cars, such as a Hyundai Sonata or a Volkswagen Passat.
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What You'll Learn
Look for visible lights around the number plate
Unmarked police cars in Australia may blend in with regular traffic, but there are a few features that set them apart. One key feature to look out for is visible lights around the number plate.
In Australia, number plates must be clearly visible and legible from up to 20 metres away, and within an arc of 45 degrees from the surface of the number plate above or to either side of the vehicle. To comply with these requirements, number plates must be illuminated with white light so that the numbers can be read at night from 20 metres away. Therefore, if you notice visible lights around a number plate, it may be an unmarked police car.
Victorian police are known to place emergency lights on either side of the rear licence plate. Most other states will also have emergency lights placed in the front and rear windows. These lights are usually in the centre of the dashboard, on the grille, or in the rear window. If you have particularly good eyesight, you may also be able to spot small rectangles in the vehicle's grille, which are the emergency lights.
Additionally, unmarked police cars may have antennas installed, which can be a giveaway. As technology advances, antennas are becoming smaller and harder to detect. Some unmarked police cars have been spotted with only the base of an aerial, with the antenna detached.
While unmarked police cars may have certain distinct features, it is important to note that they can vary and may blend in with regular traffic.
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Check the dashboard for LED lights
While unmarked police cars in Australia may blend in with regular traffic, there are some tell-tale signs to look out for. One of the most distinctive features to look out for is the presence of LED lights on the dashboard.
Unmarked police cars are often equipped with emergency lights, which may be placed in the front and rear windows, as well as on the dashboard. These lights can be a dead giveaway, especially when they are integrated into the front bumper or grille. They may also be hidden behind tinted windows, so keep an eye out for excessively tinted windows, which may indicate a police vehicle.
The placement of the lights can vary, but they are often found in the centre of the dashboard, as this allows for optimal visibility when the lights are in use. In some cases, the lights may be mounted on the grille or placed in front of the rearview mirror. Additionally, some unmarked police cars have been known to use LED light bars installed on the dashboard, providing a more subtle indication of their presence.
It is worth noting that as technology advances, the design of unmarked police cars is becoming more discreet. Antennae, for example, are getting smaller and less noticeable, making it harder to rely on this feature alone as a tell-tale sign. However, the combination of multiple indicators, such as the presence of LED lights on the dashboard, tinted windows, and the presence of multiple antennae, can provide a stronger indication of an unmarked police vehicle.
To summarize, when attempting to spot an unmarked police car in Australia, pay close attention to the dashboard and look for LED lights. While not all unmarked police cars will have them, the presence of emergency lights is a strong indicator. Remember to also consider other factors, such as tinted windows and the number of antennae, to make a more informed judgment.
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Spot black cylinders on the sides, possibly indicating sirens
While unmarked police cars in Australia may blend in with regular traffic, there are some tell-tale signs to look out for. One key indicator is the presence of small black cylinders on the sides of the vehicle, which are believed to be sirens. These black cylinders are not always easy to spot, but they can give away the true identity of the car.
Unmarked police vehicles in Australia are used for policing speeding and other road rule violations covertly. They often have more traffic enforcement equipment than undercover cars, such as number plate scanners, speed detection technology, and larger antennas for better communication. These additional features can sometimes be spotted from the outside, including the distinctive black cylinders.
In some cases, unmarked police cars in Australia have been observed with antennas installed in the front windshield or with only the base of an aerial, but no visible antenna. These cars may also have distinctive rims that are filthy black from brake dust and basic spare tyre rims. Additionally, some people have noticed hidden lights and CB radio antennas, which can be positioned on the front driver's side or rear passenger side of the car.
It's important to note that unmarked police cars in Australia are different from undercover vehicles. Undercover cars are typically used for covert operations and do not usually have the equipment needed for speed and traffic enforcement. They are often driven by plain-clothed officers and may not have the same visible features as unmarked cars. However, both unmarked and undercover police cars lack police markings and can be challenging to identify.
The presence of small black cylinders on the sides of a vehicle in Australia could indicate that it is an unmarked police car. These cylinders are likely associated with the siren system, and their discreet placement allows the car to maintain a low profile while still being equipped for traffic enforcement duties.
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Notice the antenna installed in the front windshield
Unmarked police cars in Australia are used to police speeding and people breaking road rules covertly. They are equipped with more traffic enforcement equipment than undercover vehicles, including number plate scanners, speed detection, large antennas for communication, and more lights.
One way to spot an unmarked police car is to look for an antenna installed in the front windshield. While some antennas are installed in the boot or behind bumpers to avoid detection, others are placed in the front windshield. These antennas are typically large and are used for communication. They may be accompanied by other equipment, such as number plate scanners and speed detection technology.
The placement of the antenna in the front windshield provides optimal reception for communication purposes. It allows for a clear and strong signal, ensuring effective communication between the officers in the vehicle and the dispatch center or other police units. This is particularly important in remote or rural areas where signal strength may be weaker.
It is worth noting that not all unmarked police cars will have antennas installed in the front windshield. Some may have the antenna placed in a different location, such as the boot or behind the bumpers, to make them harder to spot. Additionally, some unmarked police cars may not have visible antennas at all, especially in areas with digital antenna systems.
To effectively spot an unmarked police car, it is advisable to look for a combination of tell-tale signs, including the presence of antennas, hidden lights, and other equipment, as well as the overall cleanliness and appearance of the vehicle.
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Identify common unmarked police car models, e.g. Holden Commodore, Ford Falcon
Unmarked police cars in Australia have been around since the dawn of vehicle policing. They are used to police speeding and other road rule violations covertly. These differ from undercover police vehicles, which are used for covert operations and do not feature equipment needed for speed and traffic enforcement.
In the past, Australian police forces used locally built Holden Commodores and Ford Falcons for their marked and unmarked police cars. However, since the local industry's demise, police fleets have become more diverse.
Today, unmarked police cars in Australia can vary from high-powered sports cars to family SUVs. Some common models include:
- Holden Commodore
- Ford Falcon
- Hyundai Sonata
- Volkswagen Tiguan
- BMW 5 Series
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class
- Kia Sorento
- Toyota Land Cruiser Prado
- Isuzu D-Max
- Subaru Outback Sport XT Turbo
- Skoda Superb
- Kia Stinger
- Toyota Kluger
- Toyota HiLux
These vehicles are often equipped with technical gadgets such as number-plate recognition systems, speed detection, large antennas for communication, and lights.
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Frequently asked questions
Unmarked police cars in Australia are used to police speeding and road rule violations covertly. They can be identified by features such as number plate scanners, speed detection equipment, large antennas for communication, and extra lights. They may also have visible lights around the number plates or small black cylinders on the sides, which are likely sirens. Additionally, they may have filthy black rims from brake dust and basic spare tyre rims.
Some common models used as unmarked police vehicles in Australia include the Holden Commodore, Ford Falcon, Mitsubishi 380, Ford Territory, Toyota Aurion, Holden and Ford Utes, Hyundai Sonata, and Volkswagen Passat.
Yes, there are online communities and resources dedicated to sharing information about spotting unmarked police cars in Australia. For example, there is a Facebook page called "QLD Undercover Police Cars" where people share sightings and pictures of unmarked police cars in Queensland.
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