why can a police officer use excessive speed in his patrol car during normal policing duties?

Question

is it permissable to turn a blind eye when a police officer uses excessive speed in his patrol car even although he is on a routine patrol and no need to speed or no blue lights. we would loose our licence if caught speeding so why are the police allowed to speed in a 30 mph zone when on patrol

Answer 1

I have never heard of anyone loosing their LICENSE for speeding, unless they were multiple repeat offenders or if they were driving wrecklessly.

Your best bet, go to your local town meeting and bring up that question.

And how do you know for sure they are speeding? Do you have a radar?

Answer 2

They are not and I know of lots of police officers that have got points due to speeding while in a patrol car. I even know of an officer that got caught by another officer with a speed camera gun and was given 3 points and a £60 fine. They are not above the law. But they very rarely grass on each other. Wrong yes!

Its best when PC get arrested for Drink Driving. They lose their licence as well as their job. Servers them right.

Answer 3

Yea Yea, I got it when responding to a call of an armed robbery or other violent crime, Im going to turn my blue lights and siren on so the bad guy knows Im coming, where Im coming from and about how far away I am. That way when I get out of my car to check the situation out, someone can plant a bullet between my eyes. But the important thing is someone can tell my wife and kids that I only exceeded the speed limit with my lights and siren on so that I wouldnt offend the public by doing so without lights and siren. Im sure they will understand that the public peception of what I am doing is more important than being there for my family.

Sorry about the attitude I am showing here but I dont think I can keep reading yahoo questions on law enforcement anymore and see people totally rip apart the fact police risk there lives everyday to make sure you go home to your family and do the things you are protected to do.

Answer 4

Police officers are not above the law. They are supposed to obey all traffic laws whilst patrolling. In fact although I don't have a problem with them speeding in an emergency, technically they are not supposed to break the speed limit even then.

Answer 5

They are NOT allowed to exceed speed limits or ignore any road signs etc. during normal routine patrol. If you see this, and feel strongly about it, make a note of the time, date, place and registration number of the vehicle and make an official complaint in writing to the police service concerned.

Most police vehicles now have "black boxes" which record anything from doors being closed, gears selected, count the revs, etc. etc.

So if you see it happening and feel strongly about it, REPORT it.

Answer 6

I can't speak for any other state but NC but here we are allowed to speed. If we are using blue lights and sirens and when we are in pursuit of a violator, even without blue lights and sirens on. Besides you have no idea where that cop might be going or why he might be going fast. Why do people always want to complain about this? Let me ask you a question: if someone was breaking into your house would you want us to get there as fast as possible or do the speed limit???? Think about that.

Answer 7

Before I answer this i need to ask 2 questions:
1. how do you know he is on routine patrol?
2. how do you know he is not responding to a call?

I rarly ever use my lights or sirens because they make people do STUPID stuff when you come up behind them. It is a lot safer to manover around without them unless the officer deems otherwise.

A lot of calls are not lights and siren calls, but speed is of the essence. If you feel this officer is doing it without just reason, contact your local law enforcemnet agency and report it.

Answer 8

They are not allowed to break the law just as we are not. A friend was actually stopped by a Police officer not so long back and was asked to explain his actions, apparently he was speeding. Fortunately my friend had just seen that same copper going through a red light, again no lights/sirens, turn around and seemingly go round the block only to pull John up moments later. John told the police officer that if he was going to be fined/ticketed, then John would go to the station and report him. So John got a ticket from this kindly officer, which John took straight to the nearest station and complained. Another driver verified the illegal actions of the police officer. John got away with it, the officer was fined and investigated!
The moral of this story, report them immediately especially if you have witnesses.

Answer 9

sorry but this is unlawful even for the police . he/she is duty bound to follow all regular speed limits on routine calls . only in emergence's with extreme caution is a patrol car allowed to use speed as with any emergency vehicle .

Answer 10

As I've answered in other questions, they may be on covert approach to an offender at scene. There is no such thing as a routine patrol.
And how exactly do you know they are speeding anyway? Do you walk around with a speed camera shoved up your coat?

Answer 11

How do you know these officers weren`t responding to an urgent call?Police are allowed to exceed the speed limit in response to calls.Could they have been attending a call regarding housebreakers???If so then they wouldn`t have their lights and klaxon on as the offenders would hear them coming and clear off!!!!!