What are the rules of engagment for policemen in unmarked cars or

[Baitball Blogger]

who are out of uniform?

It doesn't make sense that ordinary people would have to yield their rights to just anybody who comes out of the dark and tells them to "halt!"

In fact, if the 911 call was recording when Zimmerman confronted Trayvon, what exactly did he say to convince Trayvon that he was a legal authority?

[Meiko]

1. He isn't a legal authority

Block watch people have no authority to pursue or detain, they are not police officers.

[Kaleva]

2. And that is stressed in their training.

Training that Zimmerman ignored that night.

[Baitball Blogger]

3. This is the angle that his defense his taking.

They're going to say it was Trayvon who made the wrong choice by defending himself, instead of submitting to Zimmerman's authority.

I don't know why that always makes me think of that cannibal, Dahmer, and that young Asian who almost got away from him. The police were the ones who handed him back to Dahmer. That's how strong and sick this urge is to respect "authority" figures. That's what's wrong with this picture. People should be given the benefit of the doubt.

[AndyTiedye]

4. His Gun Did the Talking

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. Usually undercover present a badge

That establishes their identity.

Also most off duty cops I know tend to get distance and call for help. A cop does not like to confront a potentially deadly situation without backup.

Even undercover at work get help when the bust happens.

[Baitball Blogger]

7. Then why would Zimmerman assume that Trayvon had to submit to his authority?

It just doesn't make sense.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. Because Zimmy is not a cop

And has seen way too many movies. He had as much authority as I do. The difference is I know that.

[TheKentuckian]

6. Since they should be banned, I'd guess the rules are

take your chances at all times.

One day the unmarked car is a Zimmerman nutjob or a rapist or a robber and you comply and get fucked up the next an identical Crown Vic is not complied with and you get fucked up.
Even worse are the totally random unmarked cars any predator or fuckwit with blue and red lights puts their prey into an automatic disadvantage. No one should be expected to put themselves into such a compromising position for their bullshit speed traps.

[Baitball Blogger]

8. This is where my thoughts are too.

In a scenario where a white man approaches an ethnic person, we're suppose to submit?

What if it were the other way around? Would white people be required to submit if it were a black man?

I didn't think so.

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. For the record Zimmy was driving an SUV.

Not a crown Vic.

[TheKentuckian]

11. and for the record I never said Zimmerman was driving a Crown Vic, it was an example.

I went on to complain about cops having unmarked cars of all descriptions.

I've seen folks pulled over by minivans and SUV's...why? Bad practice. All the police should be clearly identified.