‘You’ll Know When We Want You to Pull Over’ — Cop Reveals Detail About Patrol Lights on Police Cars
Police Officer Craig Sroka regularly posts videos about his work in law enforcement. He also fields questions that folks may have about certain rules and protocols cops have to follow. And in a new clip, he highlighted some little-known facts about police cruiser lights.
Sroka (@csroka) begins his video, explaining that it’s actually a response to a question another TikTok user asked. They wanted to know about the different light settings cop cars are capable of. Furthermore, the officer indicates that this person had a particular question about “solid” roof-mounted lights. I.e., the blue-and-red illumination isn’t flashing: it just stays on.
They wanted to know what they should do if there’s a cop behind them with these lights on. Does it mean that they need to pull over and stop? Or if they should move out of the way and slow down to let the cop pass. According to Sroka, they don’t have to do either.
That’s because, the officer explains, this light setting is referred to as “cruise lights.” Which means that this roof-light setting is meant to let folks know the cops are simply riding around in the area. “If we want you to pull over, we’ll activate them so they’ll flash,” he says. Additionally, he says cops will pair this flashing with a siren.
“You’ll Know When We Want You to Pull Over”
As he continues to expound upon cruise lights, the officer says their utilization isn’t rooted in law. However, he has seen different departments adopt cruise light protocol. In Connecticut, where he’s stationed, Sroka says that cruise lights are catching on.
Moreover, he’s given some use-case scenarios where he’s fired up the cruise lights. “I’ve done it in Thunderstorms, I’ve done it on Halloween to be more visible,” he says. He continued, “I’ve done it in snowstorms and again it’s just to be visible,” the police officer told viewers.
He indicates that if he’s driving through neighborhoods at around 2 or 3 am, he’ll also kick them on. This is to let folks know that any cars creeping through their neck of the woods are cops. And not criminals “looking for an opportunity,” Sroka remarks.
Cop Car Light Show
Upon giving this brief breakdown, Sroka then goes on say his vehicle comes outfitted with two light modes. Although he does indicate that most cop cars come with three separate settings. Following this, his camera’s orientation flips around to show the dashboard of his vehicle. “This is my view, this is what it looks like,” he tells other TikTokers.
Before kicking on the lights, he shows the radar screen his car’s outfitted with. He dims the screen so its better seen on camera. Next, he displays the computer terminal installed in his car, along with its swivel-away keyboard. This provides him access to what he calls a “control panel.” It features two different knobs and several buttons, including one labeled “cruise.”
He hits the “cruise button” once, stating that this setting is the one “most cruisers drive around with.” Then, this clip cuts to an exterior shot of the police cruiser parked in the dark knight. Indeed, the solid blue and red lights on the roof of the car stay turned on, not blinking or flashing.
Afterwards, he walks back to the driver’s seat door of the car to engage what he says is a “second setting.” Once back in the car, he taps the cruise button again. When he does so, the button makes a beeping sound and maintains its red glow. Then, he films the outside of the vehicle again. An additional two light panels in the middle of the siren lights were kicked on, creating an unbroken beam. “It has it on all sides,” he tells viewers.
Other Cops On Cruise Lights
The Miami Police Department uploaded their own social media post letting folks know about cruise lights, too. In an August 14th, 2025 Facebook post, the officer says that their 2024 Chevy Tahoe is outfitted with this feature.
Furthermore, like Sroka, he says that more and more police units are adopting cruise light protocol. According to the Miami officer, however, he says that this is part of a sustained, widespread roll-out. One that will eventually ensure all departments keep these lights engaged at all times.
Also like Sroka, he says that keeping these cruise lights on assist in visibility. Consequently, if there’s a person in need of assistance, they can more easily see these cruise lights, the Miami cop states. Some commenters who replied to Sroka’s video stated that they were in favor of this practice.
“My personal opinion is. Police should be required to have them on when parked on the side of the road or freeway. For public safety,” one penned. Others, however, said that seeing these solid lights are a source of confusion whenever they’re on the road. “I have to tell you Craig, if I see cruise lights on. I’m still pulling over. I don’t want to chance it or misinterpret anything,” one remarked.
Another echoed the aforementioned sentiment, penning: “I pull over anyways just because it’d be so distracting.”
MotorBiscuit has reached out to Sroka via TikTok comment for further information.
