I had a buddy get a ticket for flashing his lights to warn others that a copper was ahead. Trooper got him...
And posting again to be productive.
When I worked at the local level, I stopped someone for this. I had only the intention of giving a warning and advice (which is all I did).
The driver was somewhat polite, somewhat not. I never let any of that bother me (as long as they aren't making actual threats, which is a different story).
He questioned me as to why I would stop someone for something so stupid as to flashing lights. He didn't want to admit he was doing it to warn people about a cop sitting ahead, but we both knew what was going on.
So I (politely) asked him "Sir, do you support rapists, pedophiles, wanted felons, etc?" Of course he said he didn't.
I went on to explain that a lot of us make stops to create
legal encounters as many, many arrests for these kinds of offenders are made from simple traffic stops. I am able to make a
legal stop for the violation, ID the person, and if there are warrants, or there is just something else that needs investigating, I have the
legal opportunity to do so.
By flashing his lights and warning oncoming traffic, he could very well keep someone that is very dangerous from being stopped. This could easily lead to harm or death of someone else in the future.
So, it goes back to that if I have to
legally inconvenience some people to save others, and I'm not out there just writing citations for quota/revenue's sake, then I will do that within
reason(and the law). Also, if you don't want to be
legally inconvenienced.......obey all traffic laws or any law in general.
Now, some of you would say that's bullshit.......and to some people it is. But I think you'd be very surprised as to how many serious offenders are taken into custody because of a simple traffic stop.
I used to do this before I was in LE.......I would flash people to let them know there was someone ahead running radar. I thought I was being a buddy and helping people out. Once I got into LE, I realized this wasn't a good idea.
Next time anyone thinks about flashing their lights to warn someone........take a minute to ask yourself "who am I really helping here?" If you still decide to flash them.....totally fine (except being a violation of a few traffic laws). Just give it a little outside the box thought though.