That person driving is a civilian employee.

Good God people, these are Law Enforcement Workers / Helpers.  If you were in need of emergency assistance you would be damn glad that officers were coordinating on their cell phones to get you help.  If you think that they dont use thier cell phones for work purposes while on duty your wrong and should mind your business and let these people do thier jobs. 

The problem is that the "above the law" attitude creeps into all areas of life.

I know one guy and his family who buys new cars and drive for years without getting license plates.  He figures that being a cop excuses him from normal obligations.

the way i underatand it, these "assistants" do not offer emergency assistance as do regular officers.  therefore there is no reason for them to be on the phone while driving.

My comment seems kind of stupid and alone up there but it was a response to someone who posted that law enforcement officers were exempt from the law and I pointed out that the person in this vehicle is a civilian.  Apparently, the comment I responded to was deleted.

A little Google search turns up this link to the DMV's Web site, where in a Q&A it states:

Q: What other exceptions are there?
A: Operators of an authorized emergency vehicle during the course of employment are exempt, as are those motorists operating a vehicle on private property.

Too bad this is a doctored picture, and a fake. The BPD doesn't have any cars like this for civilians to drive. And the marked units have lightbars. Plus, look at the door handles. That is not a Ford Crown Victoria, what the BPD drive. 

Maybe the person driving wasn't a civilian.  Possibly a plain clothes detective?   Some of the guys who used to come to the coffee shop where I worked wore suits.  The gal who works for the Sheriffs office and gives out public information on TV wears civvies.

You'd think law enforcement would be the first to use hands free since it's a lot safer.  I used my speaker phone the other day and to activate it I have to open my phone, click on speaker, and then click another button to activate it.  How safe is that?   I just don't answer it now until I get to a place to pull over.

I remember how empty the skies were after 9/11 and how strange it seemed.  You can drive down the road now and think..wow...no cell phones stuck in ears...how weird.

This picture is not fake. We talked to the mother of the boy who took the picture and she texted the photo to us.

Looking closer, that vehicle appears to be a van.  Would they still have light bars OB?  The "Bakersfield" inside "police" is a little ragged but I chalked it up to cell phone quality.

I was just at that intersection an hour ago.  It would have to be the northeast corner showing as there are buildings on the other 3 corners.  Dang..can't remember the NE one though.

If it is real, then maybe she was calling in an emergency.  That is a very busy intersection and there could have an accident.

Nancy, by golly. I think you are right. It must be one of the crime prevention vans. Good catch. It seems I was mistaken. (Enjoy it while you can mobile)...

nine18kk, if there was an accident, don't you think the kid would have been taking a picture of that?

News Flash  on  Aug 14, 2008 at 12:34 PM  OB admitted,  yes,  that's  right he admitted in public he actually might have been "mistaken".     Welcome to the club.

sys-mom, it's not the first, nor the last time, it will happen. Kind of like it snowing in Bakersfield.

Probably worse than this lady driving a police van while on the phone, I saw a BPD officer tailgaiting very closely on Truxtun this morning. It seemed like he was in a hurry to get downtown, but it obviously wasn't an emergency situation because he didn't have lights and sirens on. Maybe he was running late. I was happy that he didn't cause an accident though.

This appears to be the same young woman I wrote about on another blog. I can assure you, the day I saw her talking on her cell phone - all the way from downtown to at least Brimhall and Coffee - it did not look like a business call. Unless, of course, BPD has started issuing pink cell phones.

laurah, the BPD does not issue cell phones to patrolman. If they want one, they pay for it themselves.

Don't civilian employees sometimes (you''ll pardon the expression) ferry vehicles around town for police officers?  I've seen Fresno County police cars being driven by civilians with "Not In Service" signs in the front window.

Fairy. That was funny.....

The only coordinating going on is where to have lunch. LOL

For God's sake people she is obviously in hostage negotiations! Why do you people hate hostages?

"Q: What other exceptions are there?
A: Operators of an authorized emergency vehicle during the course of employment are exempt, as are those motorists operating a vehicle on private property."

Doesn't say they have to be responding to an emergency, just working.

That pretty much settles it, talk away police officers. Good find Mobile, thanks.

Except the part where she's not a police officer. ;)

THIS PHOTO IS NOT A FAKE!!!!  He is my nephew who lost his father 2 years ago August 21.  His father was a correctional officer for Wasco state prison.  I guess law enforcement is in his blood.

Except the part where she's not a police officer. ;)

I'm assuming that she's operating an authorized motor vehicle during the course of employment.

This is a good reminder that we need set an example for young eyes.  Nik is a fine example of the next generation of concerned citizens.

I for one am proud of Nik and his Mom and Dad!  Of course I'm prejudiced;  I'm his "GammyGoins". 

ladymc, what does the fact that he lost his father 2 years ago have to do with this picture being a fake or not? NOTHING!

Back in the mid 70's, I worked repairing and tuning up McFarland's Police cars.  I'd take em out on the back roads an try em out, they were gutless,no power at all.  I wanted to hop em up but that wasn't allowed.   By the time I changed from 2ND to third gear in my 57 Chevy, they were just a spot on the rear view mirror, from third to fourth ? couldn't see them at all.

McFarland's WERE SO BAD OFF THAT I COULDN'T EVEN GET THEM TO BURN ON A POWER BRAKE TAKE OFF.

Yep,,, many of people other than Officers drive those cars.

It's a Van.

Crime prevention

"THIS PHOTO IS NOT A FAKE!!!!  He is my nephew who lost his father 2 years ago August 21.  His father was a correctional officer for Wasco state prison.  I guess law enforcement is in his blood."

Ummmmmm.....first of all a CO is not a LEO.  They have a modified POST academy, the aren't sworn,  and don't carry badge and gun outside of the fence.  Guess you could call them glorified baby sitters.  But then as a side note, I have said we should call our schools "Day Penal Institutions" as they would received more monies that way.