Police cars and filming permits

[TheFue]

Now, I know the whole Private vs. Public lands filming deal, but so far all I've seen ifs links to major City's department of filming permissions, what if I want to film on a back road, in the middle of no-where, back woods Pennsylvania, who do i see about permits?

Secondly, if I have a car I've mounted a police lightbar on, are there laws in general that would prevent me from using it in filming a scene on Private property?

 

[Harvey]

If it's in the middle of nowhere, it might be a good idea to call up whoever has legal jurisdiction in the area (state police, county sheriff's office, etc.) letting them know what you wish to do and asking them if you would need any special permits or anything. A couple of months ago I shot a scene involving a character getting stopped and searched by a cop. I called up the city police and asked for their help. They were quite friendly and provided us with a police officer/car for a few hours. The scene was shot in the back corner of the parking lot to a library and we did not need any permits as long as the police officer was with us. Obviously this won't be the case everywhere so go ahead and give whoever's got jurisdiction in the area a call and see what they say. You'll find police departments will generally be willing to help you out as long as you detail what you're after and you're reasonable about it.

As for the second query, I'd call up the local police and ask them about it.

Good luck, hope this helps.

 

[TheFue]

When you said they provided you with a local cop and car for a few hours, I'm assuming that was just to oversee the filming, or did you mean for use in the film as well?

 

[Harvey]

Both, she oversaw the filming and acted as the cop in the film as well.