What?

[Skyryder]

One of the things I have noticed with the police is that if you agree you will usually have no problem. That's not to say you will not get a ticket. But once you dispute their version of events their attitude changes. Some years ago I was stopped for failing to stop at a compulasry stop a 250 Honda I was riding. I was running late for work and stopped/started without putting my feet on the ground. If he had been watching properly I would not have recieved a ticket but because I challanged his version he issued a ticket. What pissed me off was his comment that if I had admitted my failure to stop, "you would not have been issued with an offence notice."

Been issued with two tickets caught fair and square, no problems but some do have a sarcastic attitude and this usually occurs prior to the writing up of the offense. It's almost as if they are trying to bait you into comitting a further offense. And secondly why do they invariabley ask where you are going. Some time ago told an officer it was none of his buisness, well then my 'attitude' started. In those days I use to carry a small tape recorder so I pulled that out and asked him why my destination was of any concern of his or in what relation was my destination to the alledged offence. That stopped him in his tracks. I got the run a round with license warrent rego etc that took up to half an hour and the ticket, well that was giong to happen no matter what but at least his attitude changed and he became civil. So that was a small win.

So if you strike a snotty one just pull out the tape recorder give the time and the date, inform the officer that this interview is being recorded and may be used in evidence in (my) defence. Ask that he understands what you are doing. In effect you are taking control of the situation instead of the other way around. You will probably get the ticket but the look on their face when out pops the recorder is priceless.

But remember only use it if you have to.

Skyryder

[Ixion]

And secondly why do they invariabley ask where you are going. Some time ago told an officer it was none of his buisness, well then my 'attitude' started.
Skyryder

Yes. That annoys me too . On the (thankfully rare) occasions I have been stopped ("Just a routine check"), they always ask that (bike or car, it's not just bikes). I doubt they have any right to demand that, and it's none of their business. They always seem to do it, so it must be some sort of official intsruction.

Anyone know why?

Actually, now that I think about it, it actually pisses me off enough to write to the Commisioner and ask why, and on what authority they do it . Where I've been, where I'm going and why are my own business.

[Ixion]

They could double the Police force if they let short people in - it's discrimination I reckon.

I think they do now ?

[MSTRS:Me]

Have for ages. Would be interesting to see stats comparing arsehole cops/height. My bet is on 'short man syndrome'

[CBR97]

Ive meet some very good police persons, and ive meet some right dickheads,
but most have been ok,

They do a job that most of us couldnt handle,

[Da Bird]

Yes. That annoys me too . On the (thankfully rare) occasions I have been stopped ("Just a routine check"), they always ask that (bike or car, it's not just bikes). I doubt they have any right to demand that, and it's none of their business. They always seem to do it, so it must be some sort of official intsruction.

Anyone know why?

Actually, now that I think about it, it actually pisses me off enough to write to the Commisioner and ask why, and on what authority they do it . Where I've been, where I'm going and why are my own business.

I never specifically ask someone where they have been or where they are going, although I do ask if they have a reason / explanation for committing the alleged offence and often it is "I'm late for work / school... whatever". Definitely not an official instruction to find out where everyone is going - unless of course it is a known scumbag burglar who will raise suspicion in any case...

[Gremlin]

I suppose most of us are looking at it from one side.

Either we have done (maybe seem to have done) something wrong and the cop is punishing us for breaking rules, for us, thats bad and nobody wants to get punished, so the cop seems bad. Or, we are a victim and the cop has helped out, so the cop is a good guy.

But we have to remember, cops are human and can't turn off feelings from another accident. This might seem bad, but nothing we can do. Also, cops have seen so many bad accidents that most of us would never see. They see families getting ripped apart everyday, then they see people breaking rules and I bet they think "Somebody did that and look what happened"

Also, he doesn't make the rules, he enforces them and I bet he gets carefully measured on them as well. I think the reason we talk about the cop himself is that he is the representative or figurehead of the police and we are pissed at the police.

Ultimately, the guy is just doing his job. Respect him and only argue if he is wrong, but don't abuse him (I would). I would hope that if you were nice, he would try to be nicer... who knows, maybe a warning??

Sure, there may be bad cops, but nothing is perfect. Cops are just more public than other occupations and they are still human.

[/steps off high horse - and will be embarrassed when I have my rant... ]

[Teflon]

My step father sold his TL to a cop.

The guy came around to pick up the bike. My step father was comming home from work, so he had to pull one last mono down our street doing over the ton, right in front of us. The guy just laughed.

So they like to have fun just like us.

[Wolf]

I never specifically ask someone where they have been or where they are going, although I do ask if they have a reason / explanation for committing the alleged offence and often it is "I'm late for work / school... whatever". Definitely not an official instruction to find out where everyone is going - unless of course it is a known scumbag burglar who will raise suspicion in any case...

When we were regularly wandering the streets late at night (on foot), usually owing to the need to get something from the 24-hour servo and possessing no transport, we would frequently get stopped by the police and would invariably be asked who we were, where we lived, where we had come from and where we were going.

Usually didn't begrudge giving the info - honest citizen, no need to hide anything.

For the most part the police were polite and no hassle at all - one notable exception to that I've already described on this site and I firmly believe that the older cop who was driving the car ripped that bugger's ears off for being an abusive wanker, if the look on the older cop's face was anything to go by...

One older cop was positively avuncular - "just like to know what's happening on my patch", "you guys get home, there're some nasty sorts out at night."

On the bike I wave to cops - they're out there doing a job. I've been "first on scene" at a couple of really nasty accidents - no fatals so far - so I have a shit-load of respect for fire brigade, ambulance and police who deal with that sort of mess, and worse, regularly.

[2_SL0]

They could double the Police force if they let short people in - it's discrimination I reckon.

Im going to get slagged for this, BUT just a funny thought.
Whats worse than a short policeman with short man syndrome.
A short police women with Short women syndrome.


No offence to short people or police peeps.

[inlinefour]

I reckon those who slag em off would be the first to ring em if they where in trouble...

[Ixion]

When we were regularly wandering the streets late at night (on foot), usually owing to the need to get something from the 24-hour servo and possessing no transport, we would frequently get stopped by the police and would invariably be asked who we were, where we lived, where we had come from and where we were going.

Usually didn't begrudge giving the info - honest citizen, no need to hide anything.

Maybe a bit of a different case. I can understand police asking a few questions if they see people wandering around late at night. Or riding/driving at night in a deserted industrial complex or such. Naturally they're going to wonder "hmm, wonder what brings him here, where it is so deserted ".Back when I was on night callout for alarm activation at a factory I got stopped a couple of times and asked who, where etc. Didn't mind that I could see the logic there. Different though if you've been stopped on a busy main road in daytime.

Especially as half the time they seem to want to argue about it on the lines of "this isn't the most direct route to X " etc. So what, I often take indirect routes, they're more interesting.

[scroter]

do as your told and say as little as possible, and definitly dont get wound up. this way there less likely to remember you.

[Gremlin]

Why would they need to remember you?? :sly:

Nevermind, they will find out later they needed to remember who you were and then its too late

[sels1]

'Not make much sense to you? Niether did the crash involving two cars racing and the poor old guy heading the other way tonight, - eff it I get SO pissed off with toss-pots that drive like they are on the race-track!!

Though night huh SD? sympathies mate, how is it today....?