DMV Investigators Authorized To Make Traffic Stops

Utica, NY (WIBX) - Motorist Listen up! Police Officers are not the only law enforcement officials authorized to make a traffic stops. Investigators with the Department of Motor Vehicles can pull a driver over as well.

Jennifer Donovan, Public Information Officer with the Department of Motor Vehicle explains that the investigators are Peace Officers in accordance with the New York State Criminal Procedure, and they have the authority to enforce any violations of the Penal Law and the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law.

Donovan said, "That means that they do have full authority to pull someone over, however, because they are often in unmarked cars--they have radios in their cars--what they will do is contact local police so that they can pursue in unmarked cars." She says the DMV investigators carry badges but they do not wear uniforms.

DMV Peace Officers normally do not make traffic stops, "However, if it's a drunk driver, they're weaving in and out of the road, they pose an imminent danger to the rest of the motorists on the road, they will pull them over themselves even though their cars are unmarked," Donovan said. Yesterday, Utica Police reported that they assisted a DMV Investigator after pulling over a suspect on Court Street in Utica.

The suspect, 30-year-old Michael Romanowski was subsequently arrested and charged with, Criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree, Aggravated unlicensed operation in the third degree, Uninspected motor vehicle, Uninsured motor vehicle, and Unregistered motor vehicle. Romanowski is accused of stealing dealer plates from the Town of Whitestown to operate the Astro van he was stopped in.