Anyone know why police officers leave their engines running when they stop? (drivers, gas)

[SeaJay87]

Just walked by a cop car that was idling at the gas station and the cop was inside chatting up the clerk.

[Merc63]

in cae they have to quickly get in and catch someone?

[CaptainNJ]

taxpayers cover the gas

[Coldjensens]

They do not know how to turn the engine off. That is not covered in the high speed pursuit portion of the academy. When they return to the station, if no one is taking the cruiser out right away, they have mechanics who come out and perform the shutdown procedure.

[MsAnnThrope]

At a guess I would say to avoid wear and tear on the car, keeping it running is less stressful than restarting it.

[hoffdano]

Originally Posted by MsAnnThrope

At a guess I would say to avoid wear and tear on the car, keeping it running is less stressful than restarting it.

I don't believe this. Otherwise taxi drivers would do the same thing. They usually shut their cars off when they are waiting.

Starting an engine is only stressful to the starter motor and a few related parts.

I think cops aren't paying for fuel, and want the car already running if they get an urgent call.

[xlroadster]

Originally Posted by hoffdano

I think cops aren't paying for fuel, and want the car already running if they get an urgent call.

This sounds more plausible. How many seconds could be lost needing to start up the car and move?

Where I live, patrol cars also tend to back in the space, essentially saving valuable seconds as well.

[snofarmer]

Few cars stop running, but some do not restart after being shut off.
1.safety.
2. cop cars are full of electronics these days.
The battery would be depleted quickly.

[sunsprit]

gotta' keep the A/C or heater functioning so that the cabin comfort is kept under control for when they get back into it. Plus it keeps the electrical system up for all the communications gear ....

[TechGromit]

Originally Posted by sunsprit

gotta' keep the A/C or heater functioning so that the cabin comfort is kept under control for when they get back into it. Plus it keeps the electrical system up for all the communications gear ....

I would agree with that. If they shut off the car for any length of time, it might not restart with the electrical draw on the battery with the communication gear, computer, radar, police lights, etc, all running. I would also agree that it's less wear and tear on the engine just to leave it running, then to restart it 20 times a day. The only time they turn the car off is when they leave the car or when returning to the station at the end of the day.