Police Bullying Tactics?

Question

I was receantly stopped while driving. They asked me a serious of questions regarding the car, but one of the started asking how much I pay for my insurance. I didn't see what it had to do with him and after been asked 50 questions or so I told him it had nothing to do with his inquries as soon as I said that, his eyes lit up and he threated to "go through the whole car and turn it upside down" if I got cheeky. Can the police really make threats like that or is this officer walking past his depth?

I think your right because they didn't search the system for insurance details as the guy on the radio was taking very long in just accessing the dvla database. While I was with them they referred to him as an "idiot"

Next time I'm stopped, I will just bring out my camera phone, is it legal to do so or can I get arrested for that or have my phone confiscated?

Since Tony Blair came into power it looks as though police have gained unrestrcited power, including blowing the head of a innocent public train passenger.

Should I just let it go or report this to the IPCC?

Answer 1

Why where you stopped?

If the questions where unreasonable for why you got pulled and If you got his name or number, Report him.

Answer 2

The officer may have been trying to establish that the car belonged to you if he was suspicious, especially if there was a problem with the DVLA computer.

The threat to 'turn the car upside down' was not valid. He can search you and the vehicle if he has reasonable suspicion, but cannot detain you in order to find a cause for suspicion. He can however, question you in case any answers you give will answer his suspicion without a search becoming necessary.

Examination of the car under the Road Traffic Act can only be done by a specially authorised officer, although any officer can see whether the lights, tyres etc are in order.

It seems that the officer was immature if he was making such a threat, and he should have had the maturity to deal easily with cheek (if any). In the long run, you will be doing him a favour if you speak to his supervisors about the incident.

Answer 3

He was looking for a reaction from you, and he got it! If the datbase is running slow, an officer can ask you any question he likes if its to do with why he has stopped you. In this case its the insurance, he would see your refusal to answer as "stalling". His question was about your insurance, why is this nothing to do with why you had been pulled over? If he was asking about weekly shopping bill, I would have understood.

I think you should make a complaint.....why not, everyone else does, Who cares about the genuine reports regarding serious matters that will be delayed whilst they look into this case. Dont worry about the cost, the taxpayers will sort that out for you!
Oh.... yes they can turn the car upside down(not literally), I imagine that you were less than helpfull at the roadside and this is the reason they had to question you so much.

Answer 4

Perhaps the Officer thought that you didn't have insurance, or perhaps he just wanted a good deal on his insurance. If you report it to the IPCC they will pass it to the Professional Standards Department of the Police Force concerned. If you felt that the Officer was out of order then you could report it to an Inspector at your local Police Station and then it will be dealt with as Local Resolution. The Officer would most probably get a ticking off.

Answer 5

First of all the officers have every right to ask you as many questions as they want in relation to ascertaining whether the vehicle is being lawfully driven by you. Any question about the cost of insurance is a test to see if you are answering consistently or making it up as you go along. Don't forget many people drive around without insurance.

Likewise you do not have to answer their questions, however a lack co-operation is seen in a negative light, with the possibility that you have something to hide.

Personally speaking I treat people as I find them. If they are clever or rude for no reason then I am more inclined to be extra thorough and less inclined to give advice for any offences I come across.

I am aware however that some officers are overzealous, however these are few and far between.

Answer 6

1. The Police are perfectly entitled to ask you about your insurance. They do have a data base but it doesn't record every single driver. So Q & A's are perfectly reasonable.The one about the cost is a further indication of whether you are telling the truth. By the way do you hold vehicle insurance? many drivers don't.

2. Was it exactly 50 questions, did you count them? you don't say what they were. I suspect your answers to them made them suspicious you were committing further offences. I notice you didn't put "if I got cheeky" in speech marks, does that mean they are your words not his. Like all these type of accounts, this is your side of the story. In addition, its likely they considered searching your car in relation to their suspicion you had committed other offences. Again perfectly legal.

3. I haven't heard the term 'walking past his depth' was he a deep sea diver as well, you don't say.

Lets face it, a lot of people who slag Police off on Answers are either criminals whose livelyhood Police have interfered with. Or cool liberal minded trendies who can suddenly change to being very grateful towards Police officers when they are in danger or are victims of crime.

Answer 7

Hello passonknowledge,

I believe theoretically he has the authority to tell you he can do this and actually do it.

However, I believe he well overstepped the mark with some of the questions he asked. As long as you had your insurance and RFL, it is no business of his where you got it or how much you paid.

I am wondering if this was a new 'rookie' copper who was still getting his feet wet and decided to try to 'show off' to his partner.

Then of course there are a few policemen who once they don their uniform, they think they are god.

If you consider it worthwhile, why not report this and make an official complaint about the way you were treated and interrogated.

Poseidon

Answer 8

In the United States, we are required to carry "proof of insurance" in the car, which is usually a small stiff card (or something similar) issued by a car insurance company. It typically has the date, your name, and some serial number on the card.
Asking you 'How much you pay for insurance' is completely redundant with the required proof of insurance. I've had cops throw me "trick" questions before on the road -- in the USA, you have the right to remain silent, something people often forget.

Answer 9

It's a question designed to catch you off guard.

If they think you don't have any Insurance, and their computers will tell them that before they even stop you, then they will challenge you if you claim that you do. Asking you how much you paid is a way of doing that.

If I were asked I wouldnt know either, as I have two cars, two policies and wouldnt know which was for which car, as it's all done through an online 'compare' site each year.

Answer 10

I kinda thought you were out of line. If an officer asks questions, you answer them (without comment). I didn't think he was bullying you at all; he was merely saying to you that you needed to respond to him. If he said (like he did) that he would go thru the whole car, then you should have said "ok". Because you got funny with him initially he may have thought you were some punk or were hiding something. These days they have "zero tolerance", so it's in your best interest to comply.

Answer 11

The police must be made to remember this:
They are employed to Serve the Public not the other way round.
The majority of these uneducated cavemen are a law unto themselves.
They have to earn respect, not demand it through using threats and intimidation.

I have no time for the majority of the police.