Would a POLICE camouflage be illegal?

[TOTO]

Well I saw this ad on trade-me - clicky... (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Tourers/auction-213556841.htm)


I couldn't help but think how this bike looks like those police bikes. This got me thinking...


1. In my opinion just as anyone can wear a cap, t-shirt that says "POLICE", so anyone should be able to wear a High Viz vest that says "POLICE" while riding bike. Am i right ?


2. Would it be illegal to put some "POLICE" stickers on this bike, some high reflective blue and yellow tape and make it a police bike look alike ?


Not in mind of stopping people or being an idiot on it, but just for the fun of it.

I recon a few "POLICE" stickers, A high viz vest and a white helmet and there will be no more "I didnt see you" situations. Also I'd imagine lane splittting will be easier :)


or is this whole thing a NO NO :nono: :msn-wink:

[White trash]

Ask officer Mikey.

From memory the Highway Patrol unit that pulled him up failed to see the humour.

[nevets]

Pretty sure its an offence to impersonate the plod in any way. They tend to get quite upset about blue lights on the front of cars/bikes too. :Police:

[boman]

I have been led to believe that putting Police or Traffic on a vehicle is a BIG nono. But I could be wrong.

:Police:

[AD345]

or is this whole thing a NO NO

yes yes

10fch

[CookMySock]

No you are not allowed to impersonate poilice.

Steve

[Rockbuddy]

if you just put the reflective tape and the high vis without the wording what could they do ???

[TOTO]

What about if all the high vis stickers were just like the police ones but there was no "POLICE" written anywhere ?

that should be fine right ?

[Ixion]

Very definately VERY illegal. And potentially BIG penalties

Land Transport Act 1998


Persons not to impersonate enforcement officers

(1) A person (other than an enforcement officer or a dangerous goods enforcement officer) may not by words, conduct, or demeanour pretend to be an enforcement officer or dangerous goods enforcement officer, or put on or assume the dress, name, designation, or description of an enforcement officer or dangerous goods enforcement officer.
(2) This section does not affect section 48 of the Policing Act 2008.


And, Police Act 2008




Personation and representing vehicle, etc, as Police vehicle
(1) A person commits an offence who, without reasonable excuse, and in circumstances likely to lead a person to believe that the person is a Police employee,—
(a) pretends to be a Police employee by his or her words, conduct, or demeanour; or
(b) assumes the name, designation, or description of a Police employee.

(2) A person commits an offence who, without reasonable excuse, uses any of the following things in circumstances likely to lead a person to believe that the user is a Police employee:
(a) a Police uniform, or item of that uniform, or a Police article:
(b) a uniform, or item of uniform, or article that closely resembles a Police uniform, or item of that uniform, or Police article.

(3) A person commits an offence who, without reasonable excuse, represents any vehicle, craft, or other conveyance as being in the service of the Police in circumstances likely to lead a person to believe the vehicle, craft, or conveyance is in the service of the Police.

(4) A person who commits an offence against this section is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, to a fine not exceeding $15,000, or to both.




Note the "closely resembles"

[Ixion]

1. In my opinion just as anyone can wear a cap, t-shirt that says "POLICE", so anyone should be able to wear a High Viz vest that says "POLICE" while riding bike. Am i right ?


No, anyone cannot. No, anyone should not be able to. And no, you are not right.

[Ixion]

What about if all the high vis stickers were just like the police ones but there was no "POLICE" written anywhere ?

that should be fine right ?

No, it would not.

[3umph]

I'd say it would be illegal to make a replica and be riding it... especially if you were to make it look the same as current bikes on the road...

I'd say you would get done for impersonating a police officer....

to get it done is not cheap either even on a bike as the reflective they use is not cheap...

[Oakie]

Many years ago I put a white bikini fairing thing with a windscreen thing like cruisers have, on my bike. It did look a bit like a police bike from the front and it was really noticeable how much more respect I got from other road users with that on.

[TOTO]

No, anyone cannot. No, anyone should not be able to. And no, you are not right.

Oh I see :killingme :D

You are THE MAN Ixion !!!

[P38]

Pretty sure its an offence to impersonate the plod in any way. They tend to get quite upset about blue lights on the front of cars/bikes too. :Police:

Yes I agree impersonating a police officer is an offence.

However I lived next door to a bloke in Hastings who bought at auction an ex police BMW R80 when these were sold off in the mid 80s.

Said bike came complete with everything a real poilice bike would have except the Lights and the radio gear had been removed.

The siren was still fitted and in perfect working condition. The radio aerial was also still fitted. The saddle bags still had the police decals on them.

This bike still looked like a police bike.

Was he committing an offence just by riding it on the road.... probally not.

How ever if he activated the siren an attempted to pull someone over then probally yes.

I believe he still has this bike and it's still in a similar condition as when he first purchased it.

[BMWST?]

white bike white helmet hi viz would be close enough i reckonNo need for the other stuff

[Dean]

It is blatantly obvious you cant wear a vest with "police" on it and police stickers. I thought of something TOTO, what about wearing the same colours, reflectors, vest etc but don't have police on the vest. For Instance having a name like 'Political' on the vest and bike, that way from behind a car or in a distance, cars would think you are a policeman. So technically you don't have "police" but a similar name, if police ask just say you support politics. And at first glance it looks like it is spelled "police".

[AD345]

It is blatantly obvious you cant wear a vest with "police" on it and police stickers. I thought of something TOTO, what about wearing the same colours, reflectors, vest etc but don't have police on the vest. For Instance having a name like 'Political' on the vest and bike, that way from behind a car or in a distance, cars would think you are a policeman. So technically you don't have "police" but a similar name, if police ask just say you support politics. And at first glance it looks like it is spelled "police".


What part of NO are you struggling with?

[YellowDog]

Well I saw this ad on trade-me - clicky... (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Tourers/auction-213556841.htm)


I couldn't help but think how this bike looks like those police bikes. This got me thinking...


1. In my opinion just as anyone can wear a cap, t-shirt that says "POLICE", so anyone should be able to wear a High Viz vest that says "POLICE" while riding bike. Am i right ?


2. Would it be illegal to put some "POLICE" stickers on this bike, some high reflective blue and yellow tape and make it a police bike look alike ?


Not in mind of stopping people or being an idiot on it, but just for the fun of it.

I recon a few "POLICE" stickers, A high viz vest and a white helmet and there will be no more "I didnt see you" situations. Also I'd imagine lane splittting will be easier :)


or is this whole thing a NO NO :nono: :msn-wink:
Yep, just go ahead and do it.

We could all do with a good laugh.

Best not to use the word 'Police'. They don't like it.

Try using the word 'Piloce'. There are many dislexic road users who will pay attention.

It will make a great news story after you get arrested.

My mate has made a bird table that looks coincidently like a speed camera at the front of his house.

He now gets far less hoons than he used to.

[Slyer]

Try using the word 'Piloce'. There are many dislexic road users who will pay attention.
Dyslexic. </tenchar>

[Dean]

What part of NO are you struggling with?

Whoops, i was writing the post for about 20 minutes, whilst writing it up ixion made some really good points in his posts, especially with the laws and penalties. I need to be more quick with proof reading aye :doh: Sorry

[koiwoi]

IT IS NOT ILLEGAL to put the reflective tape and colours of the Police bikes on, you are only able to be arse kicked if you have the word Police or a functioning blue light.

[SMOKEU]

What would be good is to get an ex cop Commodore, the mufti ones with those steelies and then get a few interior brake lights from a wreckers yard and stick them to the front and rear windscreen, then you'd look just like a mufti cop but since you're not using the word "police" you're not committing an offence.

[Rockbuddy]

put the reflective colours on but in a different pattern than the cops, then if they pull you for it tell then its way different than cop bikes so whats the problem

[Rockbuddy]

What would be good is to get an ex cop Commodore, the mufti ones with those steelies and then get a few interior brake lights from a wreckers yard and stick them to the front and rear windscreen, then you'd look just like a mufti cop but since you're not using the word "police" you're not committing an offence.

:rofl: we should sue the cops for impersonating civilians :rofl:

[Ixion]

white bike white helmet hi viz would be close enough i reckonNo need for the other stuff


works for me. MY bike is actually an ex-police BMW. Still white. And I wear a hi-viz vest and white helmet. So, I quietly checked out the state of play.

Any wording like POLICE, TRAFFIC, ENFORCEMENT, NZPD is a BIG nono. Pretty much any wording will get a very frosty reception.

Livery in the same colours, same pattern, also likely to end up with you in trouble. Different colours, or pattern, OK.

Blue light - absolute nono, dito siren.

Beyond that, you are OK . No offence to ride a white motorbike. And a white helmet and hi-viz is actually recommended by the police for safety reasons.

Mine is white, with some blue. I have a few extra lights (not blue) on the front. Still get a lot of folk move over for me.

My other bikes are not BMWs and not white. Still get a lot of people move over when I'm in hi-viz and white helmet. Not on the SV though. I thinka s much as anything is the riding position, upright and official like.

[Ragingrob]

:rofl: we should sue the cops for impersonating civilians :rofl:

Now THAT made me laugh out loud! :jerry:

[Nagash]

Highly recommend getting this bike and taking it for a spin...

TardMe (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Classic-vintage/auction-214266649.htm)

[BMWST?]

IT IS NOT ILLEGAL to put the reflective tape and colours of the Police bikes on, you are only able to be arse kicked if you have the word Police or a functioning blue light.

not true...if you are imitating the POLICE wether or not you actually have POLICE written is neither here nor there,its quite obvious what you are attempting to do....and it s illegal

[3umph]

not true...if you are imitating the POLICE wether or not you actually have POLICE written is neither here nor there,its quite obvious what you are attempting to do....and it s illegal

and even if it is not the same design and the overall effect is the same then you will get done as well....

why would you want to anyway...

[steve_t]

I wonder how you'd go putting red and blue decals on the bike and writing "Pirihamana" on it. You could wear your hi-vis vest etc. If the cops ever pulled you over about it, just claim your Tribal/Ancestral/Cultural rights. Would it still be illegal to impersonate a 'fake' cop?? :laugh::laugh::laugh:

For u guys that don't watch the news
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10565293

The loan car from my Holden dealer the other day was a plain old silver commodore with stock wheels... I swear people slowed down when they saw me... I would :shifty:

[FROSTY]

There was "this guy" once who for some bizzare reason used to ride an ex cop XJ750 with TRAFFICO clothing company stickers on it. -the er clothing company bit musta washed off. The local constabulary were none too amused

[FROSTY]

Any wording like POLICE, TRAFFIC, ENFORCEMENT, NZPD is a BIG nono. Pretty much any wording will get a very frosty reception.
Yea awright :innocent:

[Marmoot]

What about if all the high vis stickers were just like the police ones but there was no "POLICE" written anywhere ?

that should be fine right ?

You'll probably be alright if you make the high viz yellow/blue as circles instead of squares. the argument for court is no self-respecting police officers would ride a polkadot bike.

[thehollowmen]

There is an ex-police yamaha 800 (I think) running around Dunedin with all the decals still on. And with the tail with the red light at the end.

There is one with all the lights and equipment but not the decals in New Plymouth too.

There are also a lot of ex-USA highway patrol cars painted up, two or three at americana in Taranaki, plus a few others I've seen.

I guess you won't get in trouble until you start trouble; then you'll get it all.

[TOTO]

You'll probably be alright if you make the high viz yellow/blue as circles instead of squares. the argument for court is no self-respecting police officers would ride a polkadot bike.

hahaha bloody funny :killingme

i got no more bling left, sorry.

[adam666]

yup, got one of those. 2003 vy, fresh out the force. ex detective car, and you really dont much more than the steelies!

people are always putting on their seatbelts and giving way :p

the only down side is often means I get stuck driving the speed limit lol





What would be good is to get an ex cop Commodore, the mufti ones with those steelies and then get a few interior brake lights from a wreckers yard and stick them to the front and rear windscreen, then you'd look just like a mufti cop but since you're not using the word "police" you're not committing an offence.

[macdo]

Back in the 70s UK my mate bought an ex-Police Triumph. White helmet, black Barbour jacket, gauntlet style gloves. Used to get a lot of respect. Even got a wave from an officer, who then did a double take!!!!

I had an ex-Police Velocette LE, painted it black and yellow with flames to avoid any uncertainty.

[The Stranger]

Pretty sure its an offence to impersonate the plod in any way. They tend to get quite upset about blue lights on the front of cars/bikes too. :Police:

How does scumdog get away with it?

[madbikeboy]

To impersonate a cop,

You'd need to be ginga, eat donuts, fuck boys in leather, drive a Hyundai badly, and you'd need to be a full sized bucket of shit.

Toto, you fail on each of these points... Sorry.

[Mully]

What would be good is to get an ex cop Commodore, the mufti ones with those steelies and then get a few interior brake lights from a wreckers yard and stick them to the front and rear windscreen, then you'd look just like a mufti cop but since you're not using the word "police" you're not committing an offence.

I had a white VY Commodore which was meant to be a pursuit car - cops never had it. I did, on occasion, wear a blue shirt and enjoy myself a whole lot. One one memorable occasion, I followed a young girl (who I suspect was breaching her licence conditions) ALL the way down Tamaki Drive from town while desperately trying not to piss myself laughing (it was the ramrod straight back and the furtive glances in the rearview mirror which did it)

I suspect that if you stuck anything on the dash or parcel shelf to make the car look more like a cop car, the plod wouldn't appreciate it.

[tigertim20]

If you wanted something similar, you could do a deliberate pisstake, eg one that has similar patterns etc, but has FBI (Female Body Inspector) on it instead of police, so that it does look similar, but is clearly NOT a police bike, could be fun thinking up a theme for it too? might be coming close to that line though?

[Laxi]

either way I think youd have as much fun with the cops as the guy that used to run around in an rx7 with the plates "motsux", not illegal but always found it parked with a mot car behind it and officers stripping it to "search" it

[TOTO]

either way I think youd have as much fun with the cops as the guy that used to run around in an rx7 with the plates "motsux", not illegal but always found it parked with a mot car behind it and officers stripping it to "search" it

whats a "mot" ?

[Laxi]

whats a "mot" ?

ministry of transport, Before they merged with the police

[The Pastor]

Still do it bro

<img src='http://jpro86.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/fuck-the-police.jpg'>

[musicman]

What if one had "POLITE" written everywhere instead of POLICE? Would that still be illegal?

[TOTO]

What if one had "POLITE" written everywhere instead of POLICE? Would that still be illegal?

I'd imagine they would POLITEly pull you over...

[Gremlin]

What if one had "POLITE" written everywhere instead of POLICE? Would that still be illegal?
probably... its all about your intent and the perception you are giving to the public. If people are likely to think you are police, then they probably have grounds to make your life just that little bit harder.

You guys obviously don't have enough to do, if you want to provoke the police :no:

[PrincessBandit]

Forget the bike bro, just wear a costume in the privacy of your bedroom....


Ooops.

[sunhuntin]

saw a car a few years ago that must have been an ex cop car. was a station wagon, and still had the orange and blue colors all over it. only the words 'police' were removed. i remember thinking at the time that that car was illegal being colored like that. bet he didnt have any trouble getting through traffic though.

[peasea]

Years ago a buddy of mine had a 67 Impala sedan that we painted flat black with white doors. Another buddy made up a very genuine looking US sherriff's badge for each door. The wording around the badge was "Into State Pursuit". We then sourced a single red light for the roof which was connected using bullet connectors. Sure we were stopped quite a few times but by plucking the bullet connectors out the light was rendered non-functional and therefore a 'decoration'.

Not one ticket was issued.

Our only regret was not adding the words "To perve and inspect" on the lip of the boot lid.

There are a few b&w's getting around the country, one from Rotorua has a supercharged small block Chevy in it that does the burnouts from hell. He's a real character.......

[twotyred]

your fine as long as you don't put the word Police anywhere on yourself or your bike.

[wickle]

There is a Security car locally that painted and decaled looks very similiar to a Police car. I have been thinking about making up a replica of a Police bike and have mentioned to a couple of officers about doing it neither have said anything and I'm shore one of them owns a"Chips" bike from U.S.A plus ex Police Bikes come up on Tardme regularly

[P38]

There is a Security car locally that painted and decaled looks very similiar to a Police car. I have been thinking about making up a replica of a Police bike and have mentioned to a couple of officers about doing it neither have said anything and I'm shore one of them owns a"Chips" bike from U.S.A plus ex Police Bikes come up on Tardme regularly

If you want a Police bike that bad you could always "Join Up"!

[Tricky Ricky]

I have been led to believe that putting Police or Traffic on a vehicle is a BIG nono. But I could be wrong.

:Police:

Many years ago there were wankers who used get around on bikes done up like cop bikes one in particular had 'T'RIFFIC' on his bikenowadays it would be 'POLITE'

[Virago]

saw a car a few years ago that must have been an ex cop car. was a station wagon, and still had the orange and blue colors all over it...


There is a Security car locally that painted and decaled looks very similiar to a Police car...

I used to work for an company called Benefis. The vehicles had the blue and orange company logo with stripes way back in the '70s, long before the police adopted it. When the cops adopted the same style and colours, we toned down the stripes to be very narrow (see photo), but retained the same look.

Benefis are long gone, but I think a few of their old wagons are still around.

I had a cop sniffing around my wagon one day. I wandered over and said "We had it first - wanna make something of it?" He laughed and walked away. It was the only issue I ever had.

[Beemer]

The other half has an old R100RS and when cop bikes were white with a bit of reflective tape he found motorists would pull over to let him pass - or jam on their brakes in a panic!

Mate from the car club has a car done up like a US sherrif's car and it has the numberplate BACON! It has "to serve ..." and something else on it too, but can't remember the exact wording. Has lights on it too, and going through tunnels he flicks them on. All the cops we passed last weekend did a double-take and turned around to look at it.

[Shaun P]

Ive seen a pic of a motorcyclist wearing high vis vest with the wording "polite" on it...

[nico]

No you are not allowed to impersonate poilice.

Steve

and also why would you want to impersunate a scum highway partol how gay.:Pokey::Pokey:

[dpex]

Very definately VERY illegal. And potentially BIG penalties

Land Transport Act 1998


And, Police Act 2008




Note the "closely resembles"

I met a bloke, a while ago. He had various rings in ears and eyebrows and was covered in tats. Had a shaved head and stubble chin. Looked real cool except for his eyes (which reflected his nervous system). He smoked dope, drank like a fish, drove while under the influence, and generally joined the gathered throng in rape, pillage and burning, and was 'done' for impersonating an under-cover cop.

Which just goes to show, "They're gonna get ya, one way or another".

[Mikkel]

Considering that the police are allowed to drive around in unmarked cars you should be allowed to drive something that looked like a police car... :yes:

[NighthawkNZ]

I have been led to believe that putting Police or Traffic on a vehicle is a BIG nono. But I could be wrong.

:Police:

Change the word to from Traffic to Terrific you will be surprised how many it will fool ;)

but you are correct

[AllanB]

I'm most worried that you are even considering purchasing a bike that looks like a steroid overdosed, pregnant maggot.
:sick:

[boman]

When I was 17 or 18 heading for town, on a Friday night as you did then, I had a car come flying up behind me flash red and blue lights at me. I promptly sped up into the next gap, in the lane next to me. The car that went past was an early eighties corolla, certainly not a cop car. They proceeded to pull up behind the next car in line, with the same result, they moved over. They did this for another couple of cars until they tried it on an, unknown to them, unmarked cop car. The officer moved over out of their way, pulled back in behind them and flashed his own red and blues. They pulled over to the side of the motorway. Me and my travelling companion got off the motorway at the earliest exit, and went back the other way, to see the fun. By the time we had got back to the scene there were three other cop cars there and they had the occupants under interrogation. Suffice to say that you can do whatever you like in this world, but be prepared to face the consequences of your actions should you get caught. I would think that impersonating a cop would be a bit like playing with fire. Be prepared to get burned.

[davereid]

I used to work for an company called Benefis. The vehicles had the blue and orange company logo with stripes way back in the '70s, long before the police adopted it.

Same with the blue overalls that lots of cops wear. They are actually Security Guard overalls, and have been around for years, but dog handlers and other cops liked them as they have lots of pockets etc etc.

The guards wearing them aren't copying cops, they had them first !

A local garage (Ohau Service Center) has a 70's black and white US police car, complete with SHERIFF badges, and red and blues. You often see it around the place.

In the mid 80s traffic cops rode the Yamaha XJ750P. This bike was specifically made by yamaha for police work, and had POLICE 750 logos, which described the bike not the rider !

I guess the best way to get the bike with the flashing lights would be to join up. That way you get the uniform, the bike, and free petrol.

[MarkH]

Well I saw this ad on trade-me - clicky... (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Tourers/auction-213556841.htm)

Ride this bike with black leathers and a white helmet and you don't really look like a cop, and yet you would find that lots of motorists would give you more room and get out of your way more often.


not true...if you are imitating the POLICE wether or not you actually have POLICE written is neither here nor there,its quite obvious what you are attempting to do....and it s illegal


and even if it is not the same design and the overall effect is the same then you will get done as well....

why would you want to anyway...

I don't think you could get into trouble for riding a white bike with a white helmet. If a large number of motorists move out of your way because they think you are a cop then that is not your fault, clearly they just aren't observant enough.

You don't even need a bike to be close to what the police ride, try one of these:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Scooters//auction-170239921.htm
With a white helmet and black leathers (not even wearing a flouro vest) you would still get a lot of motorists moving out of your way. You would be amazed at the effect of even vaguely looking like a cop on the average motorist in NZ.

[scumdog]

You would be amazed at the effect of even vaguely looking like a cop on the average motorist in NZ.

True, it works for me!!:niceone::killingme:whistle::shutup:

[Cheshire Cat]

What about if all the high vis stickers were just like the police ones but there was no "POLICE" written anywhere ?

that should be fine right ?

Now, thats just cheeky:shake:

[steve_t]

I met a bloke, a while ago. He had various rings in ears and eyebrows and was covered in tats. Had a shaved head and stubble chin. Looked real cool except for his eyes (which reflected his nervous system). He smoked dope, drank like a fish, drove while under the influence, and generally joined the gathered throng in rape, pillage and burning, and was 'done' for impersonating an under-cover cop.

Which just goes to show, "They're gonna get ya, one way or another".

How do you get 'done' for impersonating an undercover cop? Isn't an undercover cop trying to look like a civilian?

[Dave Lobster]

You don't even need a bike to be close to what the police ride, try one of these:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Scooters//auction-170239921.htm


Fucking hell, THAT'S expensive. There was an 08 one with 5000km on it in Coleman's the other day for $8k.. and that was mint.

[Laxi]

, I had a car come flying up behind me flash red and blue lights at me. I promptly sped up into the next gap, in the lane next to me. The car that went past They proceeded to pull up behind the next car in line, until they tried it on an, unknown to them, unmarked cop car. .

my cousin used to trawl the takas on an old white honda with a red light he borrowed from a train tunnel, after a year or so it ended the same way