Can a police officer from one city cite you in another?

Question

Today I was on the freeway coming home from a soccer game. I wasn't wearing my seatbelt. An officer in a city unit pulled me over on the freeway in the city I live in. I did not travel from his city but was traveling the opposite direction. He pulled me over about 4 miles out of his city. Again, I did not originate in his city.

Answer 1

Yes, he can.  Police officers are charged with enforcing all the laws of the state in which they are employed.  You violated a state law and he wrote you a citation.  Pay it and wear your seat-belt next time.

Answer 2

You ever hear of that national campaign going on about seatbelt use, "Click it or Ticket"? Seems like the states have given jurisdiction among the municipality police departments to issue seat belt violation tickets under the joint jurisdiction clause. Don't know where you originate but some law enforcement agencies are city/county combined, meaning that the cop who stopped you has jurisdiction anyway.

Answer 3

I am sure he was within his jurisdiction.Town and city police are allowed so many miles out of their jurisdiction unless in pursuit.However State police of-course can go anywhere in the state.

Answer 4

i can't give you any real factual information.  but i do hear cops on my scanner pulling over people in adjacent cities.  but not like 4 miles away.  from what ive heard is any cop can pull you over for any reason anywhere.  now is this true i dont know.  anyway wear your seat belt.  its not a dumb law its to save ur ***.  ive heard many cases in accidents where if they person wore their seat belt and didnt fly out the window or windshield they prolly would have been alive.  also the city near to me uses the freeway a lot to go across town

Answer 5

Though a peace officer is employed in a particular city or county, he is licensed by the state and remains a peace officer wherever he is within the state.

Check in the Law Enforcement section of YA for confirmation.

I once had a young man in my class who complained that an officer the fraternity had hired for an event cited him, a member of the fraternity at the event, when the officer witnessed him violating the law.  It was hilarious...well, hilarious to everyone except that young man.