How to Shop Police Lights and Sirens by Category

Police vehicle lights are organized by mounting position first (roof, windshield, perimeter), then audio.

Police Light Bars: Full Size and Mini LED Light Bars

A roof-mounted police light bar is the primary warning device on a marked patrol vehicle, giving 360° coverage plus takedown and alley functions. Full-size light bars in the 47-55 inch range fit Charger, Tahoe, and Interceptor Utility rooflines, while mini bars from 12 to 27 inches are better suited for supervisor vehicles, pickups, and low-profile installs.

Visor Light Bars and Dash Lights for Police Car Interiors

Interior police lights mount behind the windshield, keeping the roofline clean and the vehicle harder to identify from a distance. Split visor light bars mount to the sun visors, while 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 head stick bars sit on the dash or rear deck, or can be directly mounted to a window or windshield.

Grille Lights, Surface Mounts, and Hideaway Police Strobe Lights

Perimeter warning comes from grille and surface mount heads fitted in the grille, bumper, fender, or under the mirror. Hideaway police strobe lights can be installed inside existing headlight and taillight housings so that they stay invisible until the lights are turned on.

Police Sirens, Speakers, and Switch Boxes

A police siren amplifier generates the wail, yelp, phaser, and air horn tones, with a built-in speaker to project the sounds. Additionally, a switch box gives the operator single-panel control over every light and tone on the vehicle.

Traffic Advisors, Running Board Lights, and Tailgate Warning Bars

Rear-facing warning matters most when the vehicle is stopped on the side of a road. Traffic advisors sweep traffic left or right, running board lights fill the side blind zone, and tailgate warning bars cover the rear face of an SUV or pickup.

Police Light Colors: What Red, Blue, White, and Amber Signal

Emergency light color is regulated at state and local levels, and the rules are strict.

• Red and blue police lights: The standard combination for sworn law enforcement in most US states. Red reads as "stop" from the front; blue carries further at night and cuts through fog.
• Blue police lights: Reserved almost exclusively for police and sheriff vehicles. Many states prohibit civilian vehicles from displaying blue at all, including inside the cabin.
• Red police lights: Used by police, fire, and EMS. Front-facing red is the most widely recognized emergency signal in the US.
• White: Not a primary warning color. White is used for takedown lighting ahead and alley lighting to the sides, as well as to complement and add contrast to primary warning colors.
• Amber: Generally permitted for traffic direction and rear warning
• Green: Used in some jurisdictions for command post vehicles

Confirm your state statute before installing red and blue lights. Displaying police light colors on an unauthorized vehicle is a criminal offense in most jurisdictions.

What SAE-Certified Police Lights Actually Mean

SAE-certification is a measured photometric claim, not a marketing badge. Two standards apply: SAE J595 covers directional devices such as grille lights and dash stick bars, and SAE J845 covers omnidirectional 360° devices such as beacons and full perimeter bars. Both use the same three intensity classes:

• Class 1: Required for vehicles with right-of-way authority at highway speed, and the correct class for active patrol
• Class 2: Suited to secondary roads and work zones
• Class 3: For stationary or slow-moving equipment away from public roads

SAE also sets the flash rate window. Compliant lights operate between 60 and 120 flashes per minute. A police strobe light outside that window is out of spec, no matter how bright the lights are when turned on.

Marked vs. Unmarked: Undercover Police Lights

Unmarked patrol vehicles need full warning output with no visible hardware when the lights aren’t being used. Hideaway strobe kits install inside the factory headlight or taillight housing and show nothing until they are turned on. Interior visor and dash bars mount behind the glass, leaving no roof profile. Magnetic and portable police lights run off a 12VDC lead and transfer between authorized vehicles in seconds.

Police Lights by Vehicle: Interceptor, Silverado, Ram, and Motorcycle

Light bar selection should always be based on roof width, windshield rake, and grille opening.

• Ford Police Interceptor Utility (Explorer): The most common US patrol platform. A 47-50 inch bar fits the roof, and the steep windshield takes a split visor bar cleanly. Interceptor packages typically add grille mounts and a tailgate bar.
• Chevrolet Tahoe and Silverado: The wide roofline suits full-size bars, and the tall grille accepts 6-, 8-, and 12-LED surface mount heads.
• Ram 1500 and full-size pickups: A mini or full-size roof bar plus a tailgate warning bar, since the bed blocks any rear deck light
• Dodge Charger and sedans: The shallow rear deck suits low-profile dash and deck bars; the narrow grille suits compact 3-, 4-, and 6-LED heads.
• Police motorcycles: Compact, vibration-tolerant modules and low-draw sirens rated for constant engine vibration

How SpeedTech Police Lights Are Built

• 12V and 24V compatibility: Works with standard patrol electrical systems
• TIR and MultiColor Linear optics: TIR concentrates output into a controlled high-output beam; Linear modules give an even, wide illuminated face.
• Dual Memory pattern control: The unit stores two of the last selected patterns and colors and returns to the same patterns on the next power cycle.
• MultiColor modules: Two colors in one head, so a single grille light runs red and blue without a second module
• Super Takedown and Brake Light series: Secondary clear or secondary red output built into the same head
• Sealed weather-resistant housings: Rated for continuous exterior mounting through rain, road salt, and vibration
• Plug-and-play harnesses: Standard connectors, so most surface mounts and dash bars install without cutting factory wiring

Shop Police Lights and Sirens In Stock at SpeedTech Lights

SpeedTech Lights is a US emergency vehicle lighting manufacturer in Buda, Texas, supplying law enforcement, fire, EMS, tow, and municipal fleets for over 21 years. Every product carries a 5-year warranty and SAE-certified performance. Departments buying on government purchase orders get agency terms and net billing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Police Lights and Sirens

What color are police lights in the United States?

Most US police vehicles run red and blue LED warning lights, with white for takedown and alley lighting and amber for rear traffic direction. Blue is reserved for law enforcement in most states. State statutes set color authorization, so verify your jurisdiction.

Are police lights legal on a personal car?

In most states, no. Red and blue emergency lights are restricted to authorized emergency vehicles, including interior dash lights, visor lights, and roof bars. Volunteer firefighters, EMS responders, and some municipal operators may be permitted to run amber or green. Check your state vehicle code before buying.

What is the difference between police strobe lights and LED police lights?

Strobe lights were originally described as gas discharge tube lamps, which drew heavy current and had a short service life. Modern police strobe lights are LED units that reproduce the same effect electronically, with lower current draw, programmable patterns, and multi-color capability from one head.

Do I need a light bar, or are grille and dash lights enough?

Marked units working traffic at speed generally need a roof light bar for 360° coverage plus directional, takedown, and alley functions. Unmarked units, supervisor vehicles, and detective cars are usually built from interior visor and dash bars plus grille and hideaway mounts, with no visible exterior hardware.

What SAE class should police lights be?

Class 1 is for any vehicle with right-of-way authority on highways and primary roads. Class 2 and Class 3 suit slower or stationary applications and are not appropriate for active patrol.

Are portable and magnetic police lights as bright as a permanent install?

Both portable and magnetic lights use the same LED modules and optics, so peak intensity is comparable. The trade-off is coverage and mount security: one portable unit covers fewer warning zones than a permanent build, and a magnetic base is only as secure as the steel under it, which is why it’s best for temporary or backup use.

🛒 Shop Police Lights & Sirens at SpeedTech Lights

SpeedTech Lights carries a full range of SAE-certified LED police lights, sirens, speakers, and control systems for marked and unmarked law enforcement vehicles. All products are physically stocked in-house for 1-2 day processing. BBB A+ Rated. Free shipping on orders $100+. Government purchase orders accepted.

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