how can i find out if a police officer carried out a simple test before setting up a mobile speed camera?

Answer 1

Ask him under oath.

Answer 2

If you are refering to the UK, then officers should do a slight aligment check at every location and the distance check the device before going out on with it on the road, some will record this in there PNB and some will record it on a spreadsheet they may use, thought it is common practise to do the checks and record the fact they did do the checks somewhere. Its like checking our own equipment on our belts, we do it routinely.

So weigh up the facts over the consequences and seek legal advice before deciding what to do because if the officer can show they did the checks by say showing there PNB with this fact recorded it to the courts and this is your only defence then the judge may decide to up the increase the penatly you receive or charge you the court costs, as for the calibration certificate it's either yearly or six monthly but i cannot remember at this time, this is held normally by the HQ for the force but a copy can be requested.

As a matter of rule we check our devices before we take them out and if the calibration is due say two weeks from today's date we send them in to get tested and calibrated, you will be hard pressed to find one being used not in calibration date these days as we have learnt from past mistakes to check now before we take it out.

Answer 3

YOU WOULD HAVE TO TAKE YOUR TICKET TO COURT.

DURING THE PROCEEDINGS CALLED CROSS EXAMINATION, YOU CAN REQUEST TO SEE AND TO BE ADMITTED AS EVIDENCE, THE BOOK USED FOR THE CALIBRATION OF THE SAID INSTRUMENT IN QUESTION.

SINCE THE COURT WILL ALLOW THIS, YOU THEN HAVE TO PROVE THAT THE INSTRUMENT WAS NOT CHECKED THAT DAY BY THAT OFFICER BEFORE S/HE USED IT. MORE THEN LIKELY THE OFFICER DID CALIBRATE THE INSTRUMENT THAT DAY BECAUSE IT IS POLICY AND PROCEDURE TO DO SO OR LOSE ALL CASES THAT DAY.

GOOD NEWS, WE ARE HUMAN AND FORGET TO DO THE CALIBRATION FOR THAT DAY AND YOU COULD WIN?
DO YOU FEEL LUCKY?

Answer 4

You are entitled to ask when was the camera last calibrated, they must show that it is maintained properly. But if you were speeding you are wasting your and everyones time.

Answer 5

Ask to see the validation certificate for the camera for that day. Without the daily certificate any readings taken are legally challengeable in court.

Answer 6

Ask once.