Got in a lot of trouble by the CHP for lights

[v6]

Long story short, i am a CHP explorer who gets to do ride a long with the officers. I asked one officer if i can have my LED lights in the front and in the engine bay. He first said yes that's fine as long as they are not red or blue. A few days later he told me that they were illegal to run while driving if they are any color, but i can use them all i want if i am parked. I did something really dumb and decided to turn them on just ONE drive on the way to work at night, and guess who pulls me over...
Same officer. He was pissed. He only told me to turn them off and keep them off. I then get called into the office by my advisor and he tells me they are demoting me from sergeant rank and the sergeant of the CHP was so mad that they sat down and "figured out" that it was illegal to even have ANY lights on the car even if they arent running.
Now this is bull. I've read through the vehicle code book and it shows they are legal as long as they are not RED. AND he told me they were legal while driving at first.... Then they all changed their minds...I bought these things for like 400 bucks and now i have to throw them away? I don't know what to do. I feel like talking to the CHP again about it and explaining how much time and effort i put into them. What do you guys think?

[AdamZ]

I am going off the Ohio Revised Code. Can you EASILY see turning signals at night with them on? In Ohio it is red and blue that are illegal for aftermarket lights.

I will try to look up California law for you

[K32 Camaro]

Originally Posted by AdamZ

I am going off the Ohio Revised Code. Can you EASILY see turning signals at night with them on? In Ohio it is red and blue that are illegal for aftermarket lights.

I will try to look up California law for you

Also I believe that you are not allowed to have the bulb showing. That may be for underbody lights though.

[SnowVert]

I'm guessing that since you are in a Reserve program, you are looking at Law Enforcement as a career. If that is the case, I would remove them without question if you still wish to have a shot at becoming a LEO. They are going to know the law much better than you do, but even if they are mistaken, they are your bosses and will have quite a bit to say about your ability to pass a background check and get hired.

Now, if you have no desire to get a job in the future as a LEO, then the worst they can do is kick you from their reserve program (which is certain to happen if you do not remove the lights). Keep in mind, none of this would have been an issue if you had followed the direction of the Trooper by not using them while the vehicle is in motion.

Good luck to you however you decide to proceed.

[Brian 1LE SS]

I think they are wrong. You can have then there but you cannot use them on the road.

[tom7322]

Here it's no red or blue front or back def no strobe. Or off ya go..
Get rid of them and consintrate on job. Not worth it!

[AdamZ]

Originally Posted by SnowVert

I'm guessing that since you are in a Reserve program, you are looking at Law Enforcement as a career. If that is the case, I would remove them without question if you still wish to have a shot at becoming a LEO. They are going to know the law much better than you do, but even if they are mistaken, they are your bosses and will have quite a bit to say about your ability to pass a background check and get hired.

Now, if you have no desire to get a job in the future as a LEO, then the worst they can do is kick you from their reserve program (which is certain to happen if you do not remove the lights). Keep in mind, none of this would have been an issue if you had followed the direction of the Trooper by not using them while the vehicle is in motion.

Good luck to you however you decide to proceed.

I didn't want to say this...but until you are hired. You're sucking everyones woo hoos. Then when you are hired...your primarily sucking your sergeants woo hoo

[jrisebo]

looks dumb anyway, take them out.

[AdamZ]

That's not nice lol

[TSSUNAMI]

This is the part of being a grown up that sucks: Doing something you don't want to do because it's the right thing to do. Completely sucks that you were initially misinformed by the CHP, sucks even worse that they busted your balls over it.

But like others have said, if you want a job in this career field, just take the lights off. You'll be in a better position to fight for your cause once you're on their team. The last thing you want to do is jeopardize your career over a set of lights. Most jobs are very political, no reason to throw yourself into the crosshairs when you don't have to.

[DRKS1D3]

People push the envelope and then get p*ssed when they get reprimanded. If the law states ANYTHING about not having LED lights on your car (regardless of color)....guess what, I'm NOT putting lights on my car. It's quite simple, why test the law?

[upflying]

Right or wrong if you want to be a CHP officer get rid of them NOW!
Maturity, attitude and obeying authority is a big part of that job.
When you apply for a CHP officer, you will disclose you are a CHP Explorer Scout on the application. First place CHP will start asking questions is the sergeant at the Chico CHP office. You need good references not sergeants questioning your decision making skills.
When you remove the lights, show the sergeant and then write a letter of apology.

[SBMARO'11]

what i heard is any other lights such as yours and under body and different colors are illegal becuase they can cuase a distraction on the road to other drivers idk some bullshit like that

[upflying]

Originally Posted by AdamZ

I will try to look up California law for you

No need, I can do that.