By Shaun Nestor
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.
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.
| READ MORE FROM SHAUN NESTOR: 9 ways to build the future of policing without erasing the past
