Are Police Officers Allowed to Hide

[NorCalDave]

My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: CA

Several years ago a CHP officer on the Central Coast told me that they can not wait on freeway on ramps, or other "hiding" places, hoping to catch people breaking traffic laws. He said it was against their rules. I have since then moved to Northern California, and see them doing it all the time. One of them caught me making a right on red where posted not too. I didn't notice this one did NOT have the peak hours posted on it like others I've seen. It wasn't during those hours, and NO ONE was coming down the road. The officer was nice, and basically admitted to me that he was parked there on the freeway overpass just waiting for someone to go through it.

I learned my lesson, but with financial times being tough, would prefer not to contribute to their "fundraiser" if possible. Is it true that it is against their rules / guidelines to "lie-in-wait", and therefore him catching me should be nullified? I'd have to go back and look, but I do think he was parked in a "no parking" lane while he was waiting.

Thank you!

[Mr. Knowitall]

Even if the police officer was violating department procedures, that won't get you out of a ticket for a violation you committed.

[That Guy]

And no, there is no rule or policy against them hiding, or parking in the dark with their lights off... most of them might leave their parking lights on but that is at their option and only for safety reasons; not to alert you that they're there.

With that or without it, the easiest way to not contribute to their "fundraiser" is to drive within the limits of the law (like not make right turn on posted no right turn intersections)...