By Shaun Nestor
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A conversation popped up recently about a growing trend in some agencies: patrol officers driving around with their emergency lights on steady-burn “cruise mode.”
Not flashing.
Not on a stop.
Not on a call.
Just … on.
At first, I caught myself thinking the same thing many others did: “This feels dumb.”
But I try not to stop at my first reaction. So I asked myself the harder question: “Why does it feel dumb? Is there any legitimate upside I might be missing?”
After sitting with it, here’s where I landed.
It breaks a long-standing cue for the public
In the U.S., emergency lights = pull over or yield. If we start using them for routine patrol, we dilute a signal that actually matters for safety.
It removes real tactical advantages
Stealth, observation and approaching problem areas discreetly are foundational patrol skills. Driving around lit up defeats those advantages.
The claimed benefits seem rooted more in “Idea Fairy” logic than data
I’m open to being proven wrong — but I haven’t seen any research showing crime drops or community trust increases because a patrol car is glowing blue at all times.
There are good uses for steady-burn lights … they just aren’t this
- Stationary in high-crime areas
- Visibility on traffic scenes
- Special details or events
Those make sense. Cruising with them on? Still struggling to find a compelling rationale.
The bigger issue
When policing shifts long-established norms, we need to be intentional — not reactionary — because the public takes cues from us whether we realize it or not. If agencies have data showing this trend improves safety, deterrence, or community perception, I’d genuinely love to read it. Until then, I think it creates more confusion than clarity.
I am curious where others land on this — have you seen this implemented, and has it actually helped?
Share your thoughts on this topic below.
Police1 readers respond
- In the early 1980s, my department’s cars were fitted with roof bars with flashing lights that also had a police sign (white letters on black background), which was supposed to be illuminated at night. Often at night, especially in wet weather, people would try to hail us thinking the squad car was a taxi. Most police chose to turn them off for stealth reasons. The “halo” effect occurs regardless by marked cars but doesn’t last long, ie., drivers and the general public tend to behave when they see a police car. The signs were phased out as different roof bars were introduced. Slow burn lights on the new enclosed roof bars was considered but not implemented. Marked cars with high visibility reflective markings are likely to be just as effective with better benefits for officer safety.
- Honestly, I’m a fan of steady-burn cruise lights. They make patrol cars more visible, reduce the “jump scare” factor of stealth units and help the public instantly recognize who’s in the area. With so many agencies shifting toward blackout cars, ghost graphics and Knight Rider–style light bars, policing has started to look more militant and less approachable. Cruise lights actually push in the opposite direction — they signal presence, reassurance and accountability instead of surprise enforcement. A soft steady-burn doesn’t feel aggressive; it feels like, “Hey, we’re here if you need us.” In a time when trust is everything, that kind of visibility matters.
- In the agency I retired from this began when the “I don’t want to deal with complaints” faction was promoted high enough to force it. “Criminals won’t commit crimes if they see the police coming and then you won’t get into a use of force or generate a complaint.”
- The question that hasn’t been asked is who is telling them to do this? I’m sure someone came up with this idea and put it out there to their officers to do.
- In my old division, the higher ups had us doing this at night and called it HIDE. They believed that by doing it at night in high crime areas it would alert criminals to our being nearby and make them go somewhere else to commit their illegal activities. During this we would take a smaller call load and our sister car had to pick up the slack per the captains orders. We all thought it was dumb.
- I see no benefit other that in emergency situations like a blackout when you might need to let folks know your a police vehicle if they need you.
- As a retired LEO, I can tell you that it is a dumb idea. I used to drive in ‘“stealth” mode and caught quite a few perpetrators. Why would you want to advertise your arrival to the bad guys?
- My opinion is, if your running your stationary blue lights in their solid blue, they’re still blue and they still confuse the citizens. I think blue light should only be turned on emergency call if you’re pulling somebody over, but every agency has different rules.
About the author
Shaun Nestor is an experienced law enforcement officer, leadership coach, and business strategist committed to seeing officers through their careers happy, healthy and wealthy — both in and beyond the badge. With nearly two decades of law enforcement experience and a strong background in coaching and entrepreneurship, he founded Beyond the Badge to help officers turn their expertise into impactful consulting, training, and coaching careers. Shaun regularly writes and speaks on leadership, recruiting and retention, emotional intelligence, and professional development for law enforcement. Connect with him at www.shaunnestor.com.
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