The Associated Press

COLUMBUS - An opinion from Ohio's attorney general could prevent local governments from entering into deals allowing advertising on police cruisers.

Attorney General Jim Petro advised county prosecutors this week that it would be illegal to put advertising on sheriff's department cruisers.

His office said Ohio law requires uniform markings on all sheriffs' vehicles across the state.

The nonbinding opinion doesn't specifically mention local governments, but appears to discourage villages and townships from putting advertising-bedecked cruisers on the streets.

It says the ads could allow fleeing motorists to successfully argue that they did not stop when ordered to do so because the rolling billboard pursuing them did not resemble a police car.

Petro's lawyers also said police cars used for traffic enforcement must be clearly and distinctly marked, a line that could be blurred by ads.

The opinion was in response to a request for advice from Meigs County Prosecutor Pat Story sought on behalf of commissioners in the county, 80 miles southeast of Columbus.

County Sheriff Ralph Trussell had been considering a deal to replace his aging cruisers with new, ad-filled patrol cars costing $1 each for a three-year lease.

"I never really got too excited about it. It sounded like a good deal, but I was not sure it would ever be approved. It was worth a shot," he said.

The deal was offered by Government Acquisitions, a Charlotte, N.C.-based company which has received considerable publicity about its plan to use police cars as billboards but apparently has yet to deliver its first cruiser.

Petro's opinion also suggested the company's agreement would violate state law because it would allow the company to use images of sheriffs' cars - which must include Ohio's state seal - to market products.

The state seal may be used only with the permission of the governor.