How to Spot an Undercover Cop & Unmarked Police Cars

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Spotting an undercover police officer isn't as hard as you might think, provided you know what you're looking for. Unmarked police vehicles can often be recognized by features like municipal plates, clusters of antennas, and dark tinted windows. When you're scrutinizing a could-be cop in person, look out for short, neatly-groomed military hairstyles, heavy-duty boots, or baggy clothing with lots of pockets. An undercover cop might also attempt to win your trust or pump you for information in order to make progress on a case.

How to Spot Undercover Police

Undercover cops usually have short, groomed hair and baggy clothes with lots of pockets. They may ask lots of personal questions to gain your trust or look out of place. Unmarked police cars tend to have municipal plates, multiple antennas, and tinted windows.

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How to Recognize an Undercover Cop

Most police departments insist that their officers adhere to high grooming standards—higher than the average person on the street.
Hairstyle alone isn't enough to go on. It's not unusual for cops in deep cover assignments to grow out their head and facial hair to make themselves less likely to be identified. [2] X Research source

Keeping one or both hands stuffed inside their jacket pockets can also be an indication that there's something they want to be able to grab in a hurry.

Hoodies are especially popular, as they allow officers to cover their heads and remain inconspicuous.
Be more suspicious if you see the name or logo of a generic store brand on an article of clothing (such as Mossimo, Merona, or And1).

Tip: Undercover cops sometimes buy cheap clothes off the rack to wear on the job rather than risk being seen in their own. As a result, their “everyday” attire may have an awkward, unworn look.

An undercover officer's cargo pockets aren't just there for decoration—more often than not, they'll be full.
By contrast, a careless cop might also make the mistake of wearing an expensive pair of jeans with other less fancy “show” garments.

Police officers have a preference for neutral colors like black, brown, and gray, as they're much more low-profile than bright colors and flashy designs.
Another telling sign is if their shoes do not match with their other clothing and accessories. How many people do you know who rock tactical boots with a Chargers hoodie and khaki cargo pants?

If you discover that the person you're talking to is concealing a firearm, it's wise not to say anything to them about it, whether they're a police officer or not.

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Common Behaviors of Undercover Cops

There's a difference between someone who's just trying to make small talk and someone who seems like they're after something.
If you start to receive pointed questions, such as, “How old are you?” or “What do you know about the person who's throwing this party?”, consider it a red flag.

For example, a middle-aged, tattoo-less person with a clean haircut at a punk rock show might just enjoy loud music, but there's a chance he's there to make a bust, especially if you notice a distinct lack of headbanging going on.

Warning: There are no rules for what sorts of clothing, activities, or events people can enjoy. Make sure you have a valid reason for singling someone out—otherwise, you're just stereotyping.

Zero in on mismatched pairs in public places. In some cases, an undercover officer will have a partner along with them on dangerous or high-stakes assignments. Since cops don't always get a say in who they're with, the two of them may look like something of an odd couple. They'll most likely stick close to one another, but might not do much chatting, or even acknowledge each other at all.

Undercover cops that try to buy illegal drugs usually will not use them in front of you. However, there is a chance a cop could use them if they’re under deep cover.

Some people believe that if you ask an undercover officer if they're a cop, they're obligated by law to tell you the truth. This doesn't actually work in real life, and you could cause trouble by posing the question at the wrong time or place.

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How to Identify Unmarked Police Cars

In some cases, municipal plates may be stamped with the letters “MU” at the end.
Some unmarked cop cars are even required to have tags bearing the name of the local police department, or they may have the word “official” written on the bottom..

Tip: The Ford Taurus, Ford Crown Victoria, Ford Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility, Ford F-150 Responder, Dodge Charger Pursuit, Chevrolet Impala, Chevy Caprice, and Chevy Tahoe are among the most common vehicles used by police departments throughout North America.

Keep in mind that retractable power antennas may not be visible at all times.
Nowadays, more and more cop cars are being outfitted with puck antennas, which are short and round and made to blend in with the car's paint job. These can be harder to catch, but they still have a fairly distinct look that you can spot.

If you don't see a light bar on the grill, take a peek at the bottom of the rear windshield, just above the back row of seats.
It's not legal for civilians to drive cars equipped with emergency lights, so if you see them, you can be sure that there's an officer behind the wheel. [7] X Research source

The majority of civilian vehicles with push bumpers are larger models, such as Hummers, Jeeps, and pickup trucks. Police departments, on the other hand, are known to install them on sedans, owing to their superior speed and maneuverability.

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The presence of tinted windows alone isn't enough to be sure that a given vehicle is being driven by a police officer, but it can be a major tell when taken with other clues.

Community Q&A

Do undercover cops have to identify themselves? Drew Hawkins1 Community Answer

It's a common misconception that undercover cops have to identify themselves as police officers if you ask them. Cops in plainclothes do have to identify themselves if they're acting in an official police capacity such as arresting you or requesting identification. However, if a cop is undercover and on an operation, then no, they do not have to identify themselves and are allowed to lie to you about their identities.

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How can you tell if someone is a cop? Drew Hawkins1 Community Answer

Undercover cops do not have to identify themselves, so you'll have to use other clues to figure out if someone is a cop. You could check their vehicle to see if it has nondescript plates or dark window tinting that looks like a cop car. You could also check their appearance for hints. If they have short, neat haircuts and are wearing cargo pants or shorts, it could mean they're a cop. They may also try to earn your trust quickly, even though you don't know who they are, so be wary of overly-friendly strangers.

Can undercover cops drink? Drew Hawkins1 Community Answer

Yes, undercover cops who are on an assignment are allowed to drink up to 2 drinks in order to maintain their cover. However, off-duty cops in uniform or plainclothes cops who are on duty aren't allowed to legally drink. If you suspect a cop is drinking when they shouldn't be, contact your local police department to report it.