is it true, if a policeman arrests you and he is not wearing his helmet/cap it makes the arrest null & void?

Answer 1

this is a common urban myth..it came about as a result of the introduction of the Breathalyzer law when a court ruled that an arrest made by an officer not wearing his helmet was not in uniform and therefore the arrest was illegal...the decision of the court was quickly overturned but the myth remained

Answer 2

No.

Firstly, there are circumstances in which anybody can make an arrest.

Secondly, a policeman (or policewoman) can, and often will, make an arrest in plain clothes for obvious reaons.

Members of the police force have Warrant Cards which identify they are authorised to exercise their powers. However you are unlikely in practice to get very far, other than into further trouble, if you ask a police officer to show his or her card whilst an arrest is being made.

Answer 3

There are certain things that an officer must be in full uniform to do, although a lot of officers seem to take the view that it's ok to not wear a hat if they've just got out of a car. Also, if an officer is wearing a garment over his/her shirt such as a jumper, coat, yellow high visibility jacket (not body armour though as this is protective equipment and not actually a garment), then they must wear a tie/cravat... again, this is not classed as full uniform without it. A lot of the Road Traffic Act requires full uniform to stop a vehicle, although I wouldn't advise getting lippy if an officer isn't wearing a hat/tie because it's so easy to find offences under that act, so you may find yourself going home with more than a Producer!!!

Answer 4

No, in fact in the UK anyone can make a citizen's arrest:

Private citizens have the power to make an arrest in the following circumstances:

if the crime is being committed at night
if the crime being committed is punishable by three years’ imprisonment or more
if a person is attempting to escape from someone trying to make an arrest
As a general rule the offences for which one is likely to make a citizen’s arrest will be of a more serious nature, including murder, serious assault, drug offences, sex offences, breaking and entering, fraud and theft.

Answer 5

Yeah that's the way it's always been. If the top portion of the arresting officers head is exposed during the arrest you walk, scot free, no questions asked, no ifs ands or buts even if you just murdered an entire family right in front of the officer or if you're just DUI or what ever. No headgear, no arrest,no exceptions!! And this is the law world wide. IGNERT!!!!!!!!!

Answer 6

I wouldn't risk depending on that inaccuracy. Anybody technically could arrest you as a private citizen - if anyone got off as a result of a policeman not wearing his helmet, they would glue them on!!! Good luck anyway

Answer 7

No!

But did you know that there is an unreppealed law on the statute books that says a pregnant woman may ask a policeman for his helmet if she needs to pee!! I would so love to try this one!! It would almost be worth having another baby for!!

Answer 8

No it is not true. Even a off duty policeman can arrest you just as if he wa son duty as he ios a police officer always.

Answer 9

Not true,you can be arrested even if the officer is not in uniform and is 'off duty'

Answer 10

It sounds like one of the constitutional laws that some ignorant pothead made up. I'll bet you the same moron told you an undercover cop has to tell you he's a cop, if he's asked.