Police: Do what I say not what I do?

Question

If you’re caught speeding, you’re very likely to be fined, receive points on your licence or even banned if you’re caught going fast enough.

This may be fair enough in most cases, but what if you’re on a long straight empty road, in a perfectly serviced car, sober and in perfect control of the vehicle and the reason you’re speeding is a family emergency?

In a 2 year period I’ve seen on numerous police without flashing lights or horns sounding, speeding/doing u-turns in locations that for you & me would be deemed illegal, parking on double yellow lines with two wheels on the pavement while they pick up a meal in fast food outlets, and worse.

You or I may plead ignorance of a rule and be told ignorance of a rule is no defence, but the police are the ones who are charged with enforcing the law, so who polices the police?

Answer 1

I agree with you 100 %. I drive for a living and I see the police breaking the law all the time and it makes me very angry that there is no accountability.. There is a lot of hypocrasy amoung some police officers..Hey Janet below it looks like you havn't lost your its us and them attitude. The force ,NO not the force, the public is a lot better without people like you. LOOK AT ALL THE ANSWERS. Is everyone wrong then except you..

Answer 2

You are right that some police officers abuse the law. That is hardly an argument for breaking the law yourself. The family emergency scenario you present is unrealistic, and still unsafe. If you really did find yourself in that situation, what happens if something runs out in front of you, or the road suddenly changes, or you're distraught from the emergency and make a rash decision? You'd still deserve a ticket, even in that position. And if someone was in danger, your driving is not going to help. Call the cops or an ambulance.

If you really have a problem with the cops not following the law, then you should write a letter to your local law enforcement agency. You make a good point. If you're looking for an excuse to speed, then you're wasting your time. It is a bad argument.

p.s. The people who are saying that no one polices the police are wrong. There are different police agencies for a reason, there is the Attorney General, your legislators, and the prosecuting office. They are ALL responsible for policing the police. If no one did it, then there wouldn't be so many policemen on trial for various crimes, now, would there?

Answer 3

Gary, speed limits are there for a reason. Any person with common sense can see that.

As for the police speeding and doing U turns etc........if whilst out on patrol I see a car pass in the opposite direction, and for whatever reason I need to stop it, I would turn around and attempt to catch the vehicle up. More than likely I would need to exceed the speed limit in order to catch the vehicle. I would only use my lights if I so required them to get passed other motorists. If there were none then I would not need to use them. Likewise this could go for illegal U turns, using bus lanes etc.

Blue lights and sirens are there to warn other motorists. They do not have to be used. Likewise if you see a cop travelling with blue lights on and no siren, again that will be for a reason. They may be near to the scene and not want the offender to know.

As for parking on double yellows to collect a take-away (yes we are allowed a meal break too, although cannot refuse to respond during it) then no. we should be seen to be setting an example. Police officers in my force no longer issue parking ticket. These are enforced by traffic and council wardens. Its not been uncommon for the odd police car to cop a ticket either..... and yes we have to pay.

Answer 4

In the case of a family emergency, most officers would let it slide if you hava a valid reason since you're justified in breaking such a minor law. In the case of officers doing various "illegal" maneuvers while driving with out lights and sirens it's simple because often times, an officer won't use them if it's not necessary. While going thru a red light requires the use of lights/sirens, cutting thru a gas station or making a prohibited u-turn when there is light traffic is hardly a case where they would be needed. In my experience, police officers are just trying to do their job. Do some abuse their position? Of course, but what occupation doesn't have it's fair share of a$$holes? And since this particular occupation involves a great deal of risk, danger and responsibility but recieves meager pay and the general contempt of a significant portion of the population, I'm perfectly fine with them double parking, asking for a free cup of coffee etc.

Answer 5

you may have also noticed that policemen and policewomen oftentimes get lesser sentences and almost never get jail time for many things that civilians would.

the reason is simple; although you have the right to a trial by jury, you can WAIVE that right....why would anyone waive that right? because if you do, then a judge alone decides your innocence or guilt and sentences you, not a jury.

why does this matter? well because judges tend to be soft on cop-criminals so this is sometimes an easy out for a cop.

case in point: several years ago 3 cops were were found guilty of beating and sodomizing a minority inmate and were convicted by a jury. the verdict was overturned by an appeals judge. the cops ended up getting administrative punishments which included demotions and suspended leave WITH PAY for 3 months (i.e. they got rewarded with a paid vacation)

theres a big ole' piece of justice for you

Answer 6

You know - I have found out that, police watch those who watch them. They think that because they have a badge and a gun that they are above the law. Which is wrong. If they want to be glorified because of their position, then why not try to teach by example. WoW.... what a concept? I live in a small town and we had a police car that went without a tag(plate) light for three months, but did this stop them giving out tickets for the same thing? No.... I just wish that they would spend a few nights in jail themselves and learn what is going to happen to those who go there. I think that it should be mandatory before hiring.

Answer 7

No one polices the police. Eventually, that business has to stop. There are checks on the police and other emergency services, but it's not foolproof.

I've seen the same behavior as you have with respect to cops and ambulance drivers flipping lights on to go through red lights or to speed like mad to get somewhere. It's against their rules for sure.

However, as they all have a job description which can easily mean their own deaths in pursuing it, I'm likely to give them a bit more leeway than I would you and your "family emergencies". I'm sure that everyone has them, and I think that if a cop pulls you over while you have one, if it's legitimate, you'll get an escort, not a ticket.

They give these people privileges that you and I do not have for a reason.

Answer 8

Blue lights and sirens on a Police emergency vehicle are an option to be used when responding to emergencies. They don't always have to be used. Often only the blue lights are used to avoid the suspects knowing we are on our way.

As for driving a vehicle in the manner you described, dangerous driving has to be deemed dangerous based on the opinion of 'a person of reasonable firmness' with regard to the prevailing circumstances. In other words, if the general consensus of opinion states that the manner of driving wasn't dangerous then it would be deemed not to be dangerous in Court.

As for the double yellow line parking and your 2 year period of 'study', maybe you should get out more as you clearly have 'nothing better to do'. Why don't you take a photo and send it into your local paper like the good members of public where I work do. They don't tend to photograph other members of the public parking on double yellow lines though. Strange that...

Answer 9

the Police police the police. It happens all the time... They get radio'd the kettle's on mate hurry up or you're tea will get cold and bang goes on the siren and theyre screeching down the road burning rubber. I always wondered if i was racing up the road cos i just heard my son was knocked down by a car would i get stopped and cautioned. Yeah its wrong for anyone to speed if its highly unnecessary, but when the police do things like bully you and embarrass you and verbally abuse you in public and you try and do the same back to them you get cautioned and even arrested. Would someone say that its their given right to do that to another person. Respect deserves respect and i dont have respect for them.

Answer 10

I have a deep mistrst of authority, and ofcourse the police will do things like that because no one will police them. getting the plate number and complaining could get them in a bit of trouble (Im not sure how they would deal with it, or how corrupt they are), but it wouldnt hurt.

If you are caught speeding for a family emergency, just tell them, and say sorry it wont happen again, and look upset (if they still make you pay, they are a nasty piece of work, but that is quite likely knowing the police force). Also, if you are in trouble for anything at all, just look like you are crapping your self about getting in trouble.