Document - Historical information/data - Law requiring PD vehicle markings - 1/27/1960 . �-
LUTHER M. STALLAND FE 6-8361
ATTORNEY AT LAW
1745 RAND TOWER
MINNEAPOLIS Z, MINN.
January 27, 1960.
Board of Supervisors
Eagan Township
Route 1
St. Paul ll, Minnesota
Re: Markings on Township
Police Cars.
Gentlemen:
I have been questioned by Constable Charles Lulling as to whether the
cars of the two Township constables must be marked in view of the new
law in this regard adapted by the 19,59 Legislature. The applicable
section provides as follows:
"Section 1. All motor vehicles which are primarily used
in the enforcement of highway traffic regulations by any
police department, highway patrol, or peace officer shall
have uniform colors and markings as provided herein. The
commissioner of highways by rule or regulation shall
establish uniform colors and markings for such motor
vehicles which colors and markings shall be bath distinct-
ive and contrasting in appearance so as to distinguish
such motor vehicles from other motor vehicles and make
thew easily identifiable. 4
Section 2. Section 1 shall apply to those motor vehicles
used primarily in traffic law enforcement purchased subse-
quent to the effective date herein and also subsequent to
the effective date of any rules and regulations that the
commissioner shall establish pursuant to the purposes ,set
forth in Section 1-ft
The Commissioner of Highways pursuant to the foregoing statute has
promulgated the following regulation which is applicable to the
situation in Eagan Township:
2. r Private motor vehicles when temporarily used as
described in Fart I and only whale being so used, shall
be equipped with removable white covers for the door
panels. Such white covers shall be displayed on both
front doors and shall display thereon either the identi-
fying shield or emblem as described in d of part I or the
lettering as described in e of Part I.
d. Any such motor vehicle may display, and when used shall
display on both front door panels, an identifying shield or
emblem of a color in contrast to white, which shield or em-
blem shall not be less than 12 inches in width and not less
than 15 inches high. The identity of the governmental sub-
divisionpa
._Z be displayed on such shield or emblem. If not,
then the identity must be displayed as in e below.
Any such motor vehicle not displaying an identifying
shield or emblem as described in d above, shall display on
both front door panels the words, "Police", "Highway Patrollt,
or "Sheriff", whichever is applicable, and shall have dis-
played on both front door panels in words, the identity of
the agency concerned. All such words shall be in block print
and the lettering shall be not less than two and one-half
inches high, one inch wide and have a three-eighths inch
brush stroke. The lettering shall be of a contrast color
to white."
Secondly it is my opinion that the two private automobiles used by the
constables in Eagan Township should bear the white placard With the
appropriate markings in accordance with the above regulation and that
these may be ordered andpaidfor by the Township with the understanding
that they will remain the property of the Township and simply used by
the constables during their tenure of office.
'Your ery tr
and.
LMS/eg