There are 6 different parking citations that you are able to handout in the game. These citations can be given to any parked vehicle. Most of the citations seen in game are pretty universal and can be easily understood as almost everywhere as theses types of citations.


Throughout the map there will be designated areas that requires vehicles parked in that designated area to have a parking permit (besides you). Generally these are private parking lots, reserved for the residence or employees of the corresponding building. Although normally these private parking lots aren't patrolled by law enforcement. Law enforcement can be called to take action (in the game there is a potential to receive a call to tow a car without a permit)

These areas can be identified with the following sign:


Every vehicle past the posted sign and in that parking lot is required to have a displayed parking sticker. The sticker will normally be on the driver side of the front windshield. As shown:





This violation has a wide scope when it comes to being issued. A no parking area could be defined as anywhere that a car is not supposed to be.

Any park of the car being on the side walk obstructing the flow of pedestrian traffic:


Obstructing bus lines / stops:

There are other orientations that a vehicles can be in that will fall into this category. However, there not all shown.





Personally never seen a Handicapped Space in the game. Their normally have their parking space lines be coloured blue and towards the front of a building or parking lot.



Pretty self explanatory, in the game it's uncommon to see it spawn in without the call.

Here is a car blocking the entrance of a parking lot:






This is most likely the worst type of parking violation as it creates a barrier between firefighters and a water supply. Obviously is can cause issues and delay firefighters from attacking a fire. Vehicles are not allowed within a couple feet from a fight hydrant. Most of the Hydrants in the game have red curb markings to identify where not to park.

If your feeling adventurous you are able to play as a tow truck operator. The two trucks in game are wreckers not flat beds which makes things more fun for you. Wreckers grab use hydraulics to lift up to pairs of wheel while letting the other two roll on the ground.


Use the Left or Right arrow keys to fully extend out the the hook part of the truck:

Proceed to use the Down or Up arrow keys to lower the lift system to the same height as the wheels your trying to attach to:


Reverse until the bar is able to touch the wheel:


Press j or whatever the attach key is. What will happen is two pairs of hooks will extend out and grab the wheels. This is what the hooks look like:

After it's attached, you are able to drive off with it. Make sure to use the up or down arrow keys to lift it up off the ground.


Drop off vehicles at the impound lot behind the police station. Once detached the vehicle should disappear:




Congratulations you successfully towed a car! You can now tow to your hearts desire.

If you're feeling a little more risky try towing cars from an angle:

Traffic stops are essential for police work. From the basic speeding ticket to a full blown shootout, traffic stops are very dangerous and you should always keep your head leveled when pulling a car over. Flashing Lights is very unique when it comes to police simulators due to it's dynamic situations. In the game when engaged in a traffic stop, there is a chance the driver will come out with a gun or flea. So you better be ready for anything.


Here's a list of offences that would justify a car being pulled over and action can be taken. These could be observed, scanned on the radar, or with a ALPR (Automatic Licence Plate Reader) Notification. Both ALRP and radar will be explained in the section for the MDT (Mobile database terminal).

• Speeding
  
• Documentation error
  
• Vehicle is swerving
  
• Active Warrants
  
• Checkpoints

In a patrol car go up behind a car, press Ctrl unless you changed the key to something else. You will here a blip and your lights will turn on. Wait for the car to fully stop and on the side of the road.

Alternatively you go in the trunk, grab a traffic vest and hold down right mouse. Once aimed at a car hold down left mouse and the car will pull over.




Now comes the dangerous part, talking to the driver. However, before actually approaching the car a good habit to get into is checking the name and plate through the database search. This should give you some sort of idea of who and what your going to be dealing with.



The rest of the traffic stop is up to your discretion. You are free to write a ticket or let them go with a warning. Ask them to exit the vehicle or conduct a alcohol test on them.

Here's a list of the available actions you can take. You do not have to take all of the actions listed for the offence, this is just telling you what you can and can't do from the game's perspective.

Some indications of a drunk driver can be the driver weaving back and forth. Not being able to maintain their lanes. Ending up in places that they shouldn't be and crashing. Please note that it's hard to spot because the ai is naturally bad at driving. This is especially true for multiplayer as there is a lot of issues with syncing up the cars.

The legal limit that a driver can not pass to continue driving is 0.08%. This blood alcohol level can be checked by doing an alcohol test. The following screen shows a driver clearly over the limit:



This is what a drunk fleeing pedestrian looks like:





Although uncommon it's still something to keep in mind. There will be a chance for when a traffic stop turns violent, or the driver will flea then turn around and start shooting. All of these situations are what to look out for as you are the most exposed to gun fire while on the side of the road.

Moment captured before I consumed a couple bullets:


Always find cover first, this isn't like a typical first person shooter. You will not survive a whole magazine and magically have your health regenerated. Make each bullet count, you only carry enough ammo to completely reload twice.

At any given moment you might be presented with a situation that requires you to arrest someone and actually bring them to the police station. This guide will primary focus on doing the transport yourself and not calling an another unit to come pick up your suspect. As well as discus suspect behavior.


It's as simple as taking someone into your custody for a crime committed.

1. Handcuff
   
2. Frisk
   
3. Place in the back of your vehicle
   
4. Drive to station and drop off

It's not necessary that you have to place someone in handcuffs to bring them to jail. All it does is prevent them from drawing a weapon but they are able to run away in cuffs. So make sure to pay attention to them. As it is right now in the game, suspects will be compliant once you frisk them.

Frisking the suspect is necessary for each arrest, the game will not allow you to drop them off without searching. Frisking the suspect also removes all their weapons preventing them from using it.

Although not recommended, the game gives you the ability to transport 2 suspects legally (unless your driving the van which in that case it's 4) and an additional illegal way of transporting the suspect. It's a good practice to not place more then one suspect in the same car. This is doesn't include the van due to it's two cages in the back.

This section of the guide will go over some essentials of dealing with situations involving firearms. Each call is unique and partially dynamic which is a reason why FL stands out in comparison to other police sims.


When you arrive on scene one of many things can happen to you.

• Suspect runs away
  
• Suspect freezes
  
• Suspect immediately shoot at you
  
• Suspect shoot you behind a barricade
  
• Suspect starts running and shooting at you

Suspect running away as rolling up on scene:


Suspect barricaded:






Suspects that are barricaded can purposefully place themselves inside buildings or create physical objects putting themselves out of a direct sight of an officer's gun.

Because the developers of flashing lights don't intentions currently to add hostages, most of your barricaded suspect scene will be dealt with making physical entry to the home and clearing it while taking your time. There is no one's life in direct danger and the game's AI isn't capable of building addition barriers.

Suspect firing from second floor window:


Couple things to keep in mind when dealing with such situation.

1. Take your time and think it through. You're doing no good being a dead body
   
2. Repetition is key, the more you do the more knowledgeable you get
   
   • Practice clearing houses
     
   • Practice different aiming stance (around corners, facing up, stairs, etc)
     
   • Knowing your gun
3. Different entry methods
   
4. Identify all possible escape routes for the suspect (is there a backdoor?)
   
5. concealment and cover

Windows can be shot out and entered through. Shoot the window, walk up to it and jump:


Doors can be opened up using the battering ram and aiming it at a door. It is also possible to hit it with your body not positioned in front of the door making it so you aren't instantly shot when it opens:

Lethal force, anything that can cause death.

Non-lethal force, anything that will not kill your suspect. Pose high enough threat but life isn't in immediate danger. Depends on the severity.

Hands on, resisting officer commands or running away.


Use of force scale:

• Lethal force
  q is for weapon wheel, number hotkeys also work.
  
  Force compliance with a gun, just aim at them there is chance of them giving up:
  
  
  
• Non-Lethal force
  Taser estimated max distance:
  
  
  
• Hands on aggressive / resisting
  To tackle someone, run towards them and once close enough to see the bubble to interact with them click it and you will fling yourself to them and the will fall down then comply:
  
  
  
• Verbal
  
  Just talk to them, ask them about their day. Maybe ask if they would like some tea or coffew.