Can a city police officer issue a ticket on a federal highway?

Answer 1

Local police departments often try to create revenue by writing tickets on Interstae Highways (part of the National Interstate Highway System) the problem is when "they are in for a dime they are in for a dollar" taking the ticket writing role also binds the local municipality to assuming the emergency response, snow clearing and all other maintenance and management as well as the financial requirements for that part of the highway. A local city police officer is never supposed to be writing tickets on a US highways unless an emergency matter exists; a DUI dragnet is in place; or some other formal declaration is taking place where they are assigned to that particular stretch of road. If a city cop sees a crime occur while on a federal route they can assume the role of law enforcement per the appropriate policy and take action. This is the exception not the rule--local police do not write ticlets on US Interstates without a load of headaches coming along. One clear exemption is "drug interdiction" patrols by local county sheriff's on highway patrol. If a local cop pulls you over make sure there's a real cop doing it and why not call 911 and confirm that a local cop is out patrolling the highway.