Would you report this?

[turnipsock]

While traveling out of Stirling, a Police car came up behind me. It sat behind me for while and eventually flashed it's lights and put on the blues. I pulled over and the police car went past me and proceeded at about 50mph (we were in a 30 mph). I proceed in an easterly direction and caught the police car as it was still doing 50mph in a 'national speed limit applies' area. We both got stuck at some road works and I took his number.

I don't think the police car was on an emergency call and was just abusing the fact he was a 'police car'.

Should I report him for abuse of his blue lights? (he was also asking to stop in an area that had parking restrictions, I think it was a panda car rather than a proper traffic cop)

 

[davidsl500]

I suppose he could have been responding to a call and then had it cancelled either that or his curry was ready...

 

[turnipsock]

I was thinking that would be the response that I would have got from the complaints desk. The fact that he turned off the lights as soon as he passed me would rule this out. He had the lights on for 10 secs max.

The fact I was sticking to the limit and he was in a hurry in the 30 zone, but not in the 60 zone, still means that he was abusing the use of the blue lights (not to mention getting me to stop outside a school where there were parking restrictions).

 

[Nencrono]

I would let that one go.

 

[SLinKyjoe]

Perhaps, if you feel strongly, it might be a good idea to pop into a station, or ring them on the non emergency number and enquire what happened as you found it unusal.

dont mention the number of the car, and offer the opportunity to suggest you may not have been exactly where you were, that way, it looks like an innocent request and not an attempt to stitch up a police man. They may decide to follow you around for a while if you were to do that. Not suggesting the police would resort to tactics like that, but why create an opportunity were they to be inclined to do so?

and dont forget, they have unmarked cars too. Of course, an simple enquiry is innocent enough and may provide you with a reason. They have no reason to tell you. But if you wanted to find out more, your local council will have representatives on the police borad, including local magistrates, they can look into it. but you are goibng to have to tell them who you are etc!

but as you were in a 30 zone at the time, they would get done just like you, unless they were responding to some incident. the fact his lights were not on is irrelevant. they may have good reason to not draw attention to themelves, hence no use of the horn, and they may have momentarily accelerated to pass you.

He wasnt in hurry later, so the idea of it being late isnt there!

they could have been making themselves available to respond if needed, and it wasnt needed.

or dont let it worry you. it didn't do any harm!

 

[television]

Maybe he was testing ?

Malcolm

 

[Apial]

I would not bother. The Police will give it zero interest. What proof do you have that can be corroborated by anyone else? They will ask you to make a statement with your evidence that you were following a police car at 50 mph in a 30 zone. Do you really want a speeding ticket too?

I was nearly involved in an accident with a police driver doing pursuit training on the road in an unmarked Senator. He overtook me on a blind bend, saw an oncoming lorry, pulled into the gap between me and the lorry in front nearly taking my front wing off. I had to brake hard to avoid a collision, and he got a blast of my horn afterwards. I than got a wave of apology.

Seconds later another white Senator appeared up my boot, desperate to catch up with the one in front. They were driving like a pair of boy racers, but I guess that is how they would have to drive to catch one. Neither car had sirens or lights on, and each had 4 or five PCs in.

I was annoyed that the training had endangered myself and other road users. Its time they used a simulator like the german police.

 

[Blobcat]

You can report it, ask to speak to the Desk Sergeant at the local station. They will probably give you the 'he was responding to a call' speech but it can't do any harm and the sergeant will most likely discuss the 'incident' at their next breifing. I would not give your details though, unless you want to. There can be some very petty people out there.
I reported a traffic car for driving with it's fog lights on in broad daylight once. Traffic Sergeant tried to tell me it was foggy out to start with, however he did eventually take the details down and speak with the officer concerned. I know he spoke with him, as I worked at Police HQ at the time and heard about it thru the grapevine.

As for pursuit training they really do push, push, push to get past everything. They also do this out of their normal force area. Simulators are good however they do need the experience of real traffic.

 

[jberks]

The police abuse their blue light??? Surely not!
I was passed some years ago by a motorway patrol car. Lights on, outside lane doing roughly 125+. I pulled into the next service station to find the car parked outside the entrance and on going in found 2 coppers sitting drinking tea!
All yours has to say is that there was a call on the radio, they responded and then someone closer responded so they stood down. Prove otherwise!
Plus, like anyone, they can be vindictive if they feel that way and you don't need that.

Just let it go. Some of the worst driving I have seen has been by panda cars, pulling out without looking, weaving etc, but I haven't forgotten the story my Mrs told me of a panda swerving in front of her at on a green light at a junction and forcing her to swerve onto the pavement, narrowly missing a lamppost to avoid him. Just as she was about to jump out and scream at him, a stolen car shot through the junction. He probably saved her life.
We're quick to critisise but its not a job I'd do and I'm thankful they are there.

 

[SLinKyjoe]

We're quick to critisise but its not a job I'd do and I'm thankful they are there.

excellent choice or words.

it amazes me how many people forget what they have to do for a living. Mind you, they could certainly do with a bit of customer service training!!

 

[blassberg]

how do they switch the blue lights on?

maybe he knocked it with his "truncheon"... and thought you would rather he pass than sit behind you having turned his blues on?

 

[Blobcat]

how do they switch the blue lights on?

Switches on centre dash or above rear view mirror, depending upon model type. As they all carry the expanding night sticks now I can't see one of them swithcing on the lights.
Unfortunatley most panda drivers have no more training than the average motorist. It is the class 1 traffic officers that undertake the in depth driver training

 

[SLinKyjoe]

found this outside my office

 

[SLinKyjoe]

altho i found this inside

 

[fwb44]

We're quick to criticise but its not a job I'd do and I'm thankful they are there

Quite agree, they were there in 10 mins when I was involved (no-fault) in a shunt on the M25 late last year and were very supportive of those of us who were shaken or in shock. However they were most dismissive of the Highway Patrol Agency which had not long been launched - but last Saturday night in yet another incident, this time when we hit a deer at 70 m.p.h. between J6-7 of the M11 [notorious blackspot we gathered, wildlife reservations on either side] the H. P. A. were there in 20 mins & stayed till the recovery truck arrived, and were calm, courteous and helpful. Easy to slag these guys off till you find you need them. And what a great start on the second day of my new car ...

 

[davebox]

The basic thing to remember hear is that we are all individuals. So are the police, I know a couple of traffic officers and they are good, hard working people. I know that sometimes we come across some right idiots and like all jobs the police force has there share of those. Be honest with yourselves hear, who would you want to help you if your broken down on the motorway? I know that if a nice police officer wanted to park his car with warning lights going behind mine when I was in a vulnerable position I'd be the first to thank them.
Those same good officers would also prefer you to report an offensive officer that abuses his/her position.
I'm not a cop either, before the more pessimistic among readers ask. I just feel that on the whole our police force does the best with what it has. (and that's for another thread relating to where our government spends our money).
DB

 

[television]

found this outside my office

#16 Today, 11:29 PM
davebox
Member Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: south wales
Posts: 93



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I know that if a nice police officer wanted to park his car with warning lights going behind mine when I was in a vulnerable position I'd be the first to thank them.
).quote
DB

I bet slinkyjoe's 55 is in front of the pollice wagon.

Malcolm

 

[Stulc]

The "filth" will allway's have "their" own rule's......Iv'e seen/heard of this kinda thing too, I'd report the winker, I hate them with a passion...:evil: :evil:

 

[SLinKyjoe]

I bet slinkyjoe's 55 is in front of the pollice wagon.

Malcolm

err, thats my company car that is! and some very nice forklift truck trainer shoved some lovely scrapes down the front Offside wing. its only done 700miles too.

 

[davebox]

That's a nasty chip you have there Stulc!
The thing is, if you approach with an attitude you will get treated as the fool that they see before them.
I was stopped (quite rightly) for travelling through a village at two in the morning at excessive speed. The officer gave me a warning and that was that. The attitude was right and the situation was handled correctly.