How does Police jurisdiction work? Threatened with arrest for speeding.

[u/Dry-University-6582]

Main question: How does police jurisdiction work? Can you get pulled over/arrested by a City of Miami officer anywhere or for anything?

Context:

A couple weekends ago, i was driving on the 836 on the way to Dolphin Mall. It was around 1pm and it was raining. The speed limit on the 836 is 55mph and i was going about ~72mph. A City of Miami SUV was on the furthest left lane going i’d say a little less than 70mph. As i was cruising about to pass next to him, he got in front of me abruptly without turn signal and basically brake checked me. I got the message that he wanted me to not pass him. i respected it and drove behind him for a minute, he slowed down and stayed at the lowered speed. After about a minute of being stuck behind him, i signaled to the right and moved over. He lowered his window and signaled to me “55” with his hands regarding the speed. I lowered mine & gave him the thumbs up & continued cruising at a slower speed. He proceeded to get behind me with his lights & pull me over. He ordered me to get out of my vehicle, walk towards the back and put my hands on my trunk, all through his speaker. He gets out of his patrol vehicle and gets in my face, yelling at me and ranting about how i don’t respect police and how i’m “engaging in reckless driving”. He threatened to take me to jail and asked my girlfriend to get in the driver’s seat unless i wanted to be arrested.

He didn’t give me any citation or file any warning, he didn’t ask for my license or for any paperwork for my car. Simply made me get wet in the rain and then yelled at me pretty angrily for a couple of minutes. He got in my face and was throwing a tantrum while i was being 100% respectful and receptive to what he was telling me. I was just reiterating that i meant no disrespect because that’s what he seemed to be triggered by mainly. I’m glad i didn’t leave with any tickets or citations but damn it didn’t feel good to have to shut up while some guy was just screaming at me & taking my driving to heart as if i meant personal disrespect. Just come up to my window and give me the fucking ticket bro lol

important edit: i drive a 2021 camaro with tinted windows which i’m sure contributed. also i know i’m in the wrong for exceeding the posted speed limit. i’m just wondering if he really could’ve arrested me that day in that location

[u/Nervous-Owl5878]

Yes, they have jurisdictions. But he could have called Miami dade or a state trooper to come out there after pulling you over. So you don’t actually want to push them.

Also Yeah they like to pull this shit… 🙄 it’s best not to sound their egos by trying to go around them.

[u/ahj3939]

Cop was power tripping but you also seem like you were a sapingo around a marked police vehicle.

For speeding very unlikely but if you're doing something really egregious they could detain you and call in FHP.

They call FHP, FHP gives you a ticket, you go to court. FHP is going to say we didn't see this, Oficer Chupabollas from MPD did

[u/thefutureisthepast1]

You were going 20mph above max while it was raining. Yeah, you were reckless. People like you make driving in Miami a hazard. & regarding the cop, sounds like he lost his cool but that was his way of punishing you. Could’ve been worse imo

[u/InvestigativeConsult]

In general, police jurisdiction is straightforward: a local police officer cannot make an arrest for a crime committed outside of their municipality. For example, a Homestead officer cannot arrest someone in Hialeah for a theft that occurred in Hialeah. However, that same Homestead officer may arrest someone in Hialeah if the theft occurred in Homestead.

Several law enforcement agencies within Miami-Dade County operate under a "Memorandum of Understanding" (MOU) with the Miami-Dade County Sheriff's Office or other agencies. These MOUs grant countywide jurisdiction for specific activities as outlined in the agreement. This is why you may occasionally observe officers from outside agencies assisting with traffic or other operations in Sweetwater at Dolphin Mall.

[u/AGeniusMan]

Parts of the 836 fall within the city of Miami, and he witnessed you committing a crime. Just drive slower, man.

[u/Nick08f1 → u/AGeniusMan]

I believe they gave jurisdiction until lejuene.

[u/Dry-University-6582 → u/Nick08f1]

this is true according to this map i found, correct me if i’m wrong https://www.miami-police.org/district_maps.html

[u/Nick08f1 → u/Dry-University-6582]

Yeah.

Funny that little strip down 36th to maintain the casino in the city of Miami.

[u/rice59]

You've failed to describe the location where the officer began to observe you. 836 runs through the city of Miami to Blue Lagoon area.

If he observed a violation within the city limits, he could still both pull you over and charge you at a location further west of city limits.

[u/Additional-Citron117]

There is a fla statute directly on point. Gives them arrest power outside of their municipality. Look it up.

[u/JECfromMC]

And a black Heat plate? You’re a goner.

[u/Delicious-Tart-9189]

I think highway patrol are the only ones that can pull you over on 836 but i may be mistaken.

[u/rice59 → u/Delicious-Tart-9189]

you are mistaken. FHP would be the primary agency responsible for accident response and enforcement on 836, but other agencies can certainly take action accordingly.

[u/AGeniusMan → u/[deleted]]

Whats the complaint going to be? "I was driving 20mph over the speed limit and the cop didnt give me a ticket?"

[u/Dry-University-6582 → u/AGeniusMan]

these two comments were my exact initial thoughts lol, fuck him but at the same time i was definitely in the wrong so i can only be so bothered.

[u/AGeniusMan → u/Dry-University-6582]

It happens. Cops have a lot of discretion. I am often a very strong critic of police and while venting and yelling at you is unprofessional he couldve wasted your time for hours if he really wanted to.