Police use numbers and symbols to identify each car or vehicle. These are usually displayed on the roof of the vehicle or on the rear window. They display the number and symbols on the roof to enable a Police helicopter to identify the vehicle from above.
Why Police Cars Have Markings
Police Cars have markings to show the use of the vehicle, its force code and a vehicle identifying mark or the police division to which the vehicle belongs to.
Orange Star Markings
The five-point orange star indicates that the vehicle is an armed response unit, which contains firearms. The only exception is within the London Metropolitan Police where a Circle represents a firearms unit, but they generally still have an orange star on the roof.
Orange Square Markings
The orange square indicates the vehicle is a Public order unit (riot cops).
Orange Circle Markings
The orange Circle indicates the vehicle is a general patrol unit, which includes response vehicles, traffic police and community vehicles.
Orange Triangle Markings
The orange triangle indicates a vehicle is a dog unit.
Numbers on Police Cars
These are called ariel roof markings, and they are to identify the vehicle from above, just like a number plate. It is extremely useful during a pursuit as the Police helicopter can easily track and identify Police vehicles.
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