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Cops Like It - 2015 Acura TLX SH-AWD Long-Term Road Test
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Cops Like It - 2015 Acura TLX SH-AWD Long-Term Road Test
Our long-term 2015 Acura TLX is back on the road after a long stay at the body shop. It doesn't exactly cut a dashing figure on the road, but its gets the attention of the police.
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To phrase it politely, that's appears to be your perspective but not something you know. It might be good to look up the California Vehicle Code (CVC) or actually talk to a CHP officer about what can and can't be done at a checkpoint (as they're more versed in the CVC than the county sheriffs or local departments that don't deal with traffic violations as a primary duty). In California the checkpoints can be used as a brief stop to check for sobriety and license. If I recall correctly they also have to be set up with a minimum of two alternate routes around the checkpoint, they can't chase you down if you decide not to go through, and have to be advertised in advance.
If you're drunk or don't have a license and get pulled out of the checkpoint, sure, the officer may start writing you up for other violations (especially if you're not being cooperative). But California isn't supposed to be using checkpoints as a means to write tint tickets, no front plate or other minor violations. If you or your kids aren't properly secured you'll probably get sited for seatbelt use as it's a safety thing but the checkpoints aren't there for exhaust or emission tickets or any other small infractions. If they did use them for that there's also a good chance the agency would lose federal grant money for the overtime details and the ticket being thrown out.
A lot of people feel the same about the roadside CARB smog checkpoints where you used to always hear the "tuner" crowd complain on the internet of being stopped and sent to the state ref. Current policies make them completely optional. If you get stopped and say you don't have time, guess what? You're magically on your way. If you do volunteer CARB only collects data on the year/make/model so they can develop a better database of problem vehicles and to help validate if the current smog regulations and testing policies are working correctly. The law enforcement officer at roadside checkpoints is there primarily for the safety of the technician and isn't there to write you up or force you to have your car tested.
If you hear otherwise it was either way in the past, the agency/department wasn't complying with code and regulations, or quite likely, the person telling the story was only conveying their side and the actual events of what happened differed significantly.