Cliffside Park Police patrol car CP-6 was idling while at a gas station today at around 1:45pm today. I’ve looked around the net and through New Jersey statutes but was unable to find a law prohibiting such an action. As I’ve read that many states outlaw idling at a gas station when fueling up a vehicle due to the potential for the engine to ignite vapors. Especially should they backfire. I was told by someone today that he believed it was illegal for officers on duty to turn off their vehicle but I’ve not been able to substantiate that nor does it seem likely to me. I did not notice any signs instructing the engine to be turned off as you find at many gas stations.

If anyone knows whether New Jersey has such a law and what it is please contact me personally or leave a comment.

I don’t know if it’s actually dangerous and as I said I didn’t see from the road whether or not there was a sign indicating engines needed to be off but knowing New Jersey and how anal the government is (not even allowing people pump their own gas) I wouldn’t be surprised if it was prohibited.  If it is prohibited then the cop should be following the same statutes the rest of us are supposed to. If it’s prohibited but authorities are exempted I think that’s just as unfair as officers being exempt from NJ laws prohibiting non-hands free mobile phone usage while on duty. If it’s not prohibited and not against the station’s rules I would still prefer that the officer stop the engine while refueling. There is no reason to waste fuel given that the tax payers, not the officer, are ultimately paying for that gasoline.