I see that the debate continues.
It is important to take into considerations that BEAs work throughout the country--where it is legal--and that not every single place bears the exact same way of doing things.
Mention of a person getting arrested in California for impersonating a police officer may be considered disingenuous absent including other factors that would lead one to being arrested for this offense.
What exactly was the example person doing?
How was he/she dressed?
What color, if any, were the deck lights and were these lights a factor?
Did he/she use credentials that would lead one to reasonably believe that he/she was a cop?
Was his/her car marked? If so, with what?
These are important factors to consider in support of listing an incident to support a view or opinion.
For example, a BEA was arrested for impersonating a cop because he was pulling people over with a blue light. He got what he deserved.
In California, it is permissable to use Amber deck lights in certain circumstances, and it is even okay to display red steady burning or red flashing lights when a hazardous situation is at hand. CVC25269
There are certain pieces of equipment that fall under the safety catagory. Prisoner partitions are self-explanatory. Extra warning lights work when there is no parking and a quick approach is necessary. My dashcam has destroyed allegations after rewind and play have been put into action, and the video captured by the dashcam at night will not come out if spotlights aren't used to light the stage.
Am I to discontinue the use of the aforementioned safety equipment and liability protection equipment in favor of preserving someone's fragile sensibilties? I think not.
Of course I will concede that use of police-like vehicles is a liabililty if the user is irresponsible, and it is worth mentioning that cops in my area use the Ford Taures for marked and unmarked police work. In fact, the Chevy Impala, Ford Expedition, Chevy Camaro, Chevy Blazer (the small SUV?) Dodge Trucks, Dodge SUVs, assorted vans and etceteras are all used for police work. Does this mean that all these vehicles should be avoided for BEA work?
The key is to study and follow the applicable laws in one's area of operation. It is unreasonable to take the position that this is how we do it here, so this is how it should be done in the United States when there is no uniform code to follow for a specific element of the trade.
While appreciate all counter views, a good counter-point bears roots in common sense, rule of law, logic and history; indeed, amiguous anecdotes leave much to question.
Rex
I conclude that everyone has a different way of doing this job, hopefully everyone that is doing the job is operating within the law and not bringing the industry any negative publicity.