Do we want more road cops or less?

[SMOKEU]

The reason why NZ has such a high road toll per capita is because our roads are shit compared to countries with a higher population density who can afford better, multi laned roads.

[p.dath]

The reason why NZ has such a high road toll per capita is because our roads are shit compared to countries with a higher population density who can afford better, multi laned roads.

I agree that the road toll could be changed with better quality roads - but I feel ultimate responsibility rests with those that use the roads - us.

It's easy to blame your tools.

[SMOKEU]

I agree that the road toll could be changed with better quality roads - but I feel ultimate responsibility rests with those that use the roads - us.

It's easy to blame your tools.

A lot of other countries, such as South Africa, have long, straight roads with wide lanes and thick concrete barriers to prevent head on collisions. We simply don't have that luxury on most of the open roads here.

[Toaster]

Keep in mind that much of the road policing funding, equipment etc is targeted funding. If they reduced those services, e.g. Highway Patrol or Drink Drive buses then the funds would not be allocated to general duties, CIB or otherwise.

ACC and the transport agencies that fund these teams would not pass it onto police in general.

I would love to see more resources put into crimefighting and prevention, but government also then has to pay for the extra funding to the justice system needed to cope with the outputs of that increase in police resourcing. This government would be unlikely to do this without a lot of revenue coming in to pay for it.

I would also like to see the extra police that were funded and promised to the public actually working ON THE FRONT LINE and not seconded off to back office roles on projects, traffic, infringements and goodness knows where else.... which seems to have escaped media attention.

Maybe time for a national oil exploration company that WE get all the revenue from. Look at Norway. We would love better roads, truly free education, better medical care, higher standards of living.

[peasea]

I agree that the road toll could be changed with better quality roads - but I feel ultimate responsibility rests with those that use the roads - us.

It's easy to blame your tools.

Agreed. The attitude toward gaining your driver's license in NZ is that it is a 'right of passage' for teens (in the main) and that little piece of paper, oops, plastic (whatever) does not garner enough respect. Put simply; it's too damned easy to obtain. I don't know the figures but I do know that in many European countries the cost of obtaining a license is high, the courses are tougher and for those two reasons alone you generally have more respect for the end result. Armed with that respect it is more likely that the holder of the license will be more keen to hang onto it.
If it took a full pass of a predetermined number of lessons with a suitably qualified instructor (not Uncle Bully in the ute) and thousands of dollars to pass the learner's/restricted stages of the license testing then that groundwork would be a far more solid foundation for teens to hit the road with. Come on, a scratchy first up and a quick spin around the block six months later is hardly what I'd call 'driving instruction'.

Also, when it comes to 'respect' don't forget that respect is a two-way street and is earned. Although TV cops and robbers-type shows are perhaps not a difinitive insight as to the workings of the police in general, you have to admit that on those shows Ozzie cops and American cops are way more polite than our own. The word 'sir' is used almost universally when Ozzie/US cops are addressing a male, not 'bro' or 'mate'. If you're a cop, call me 'sir' and I'll call you 'officer'. Call me bro and I'll call you 'cunt-face'.

BOT. Tougher licensing tests would be a good start and that should (all things being equal), hopefully, result in greater respect for the license itself, other road users and perhaps even the police, which will result in a need for LESS of them, not more.

[Genie]

awesome post Mr Peasea, i'm out of blingage

*****

you can have some stars instead

[peasea]

awesome post Mr Peasea, i'm out of blingage

*****

you can have some stars instead

I woke up feeling all sensible and stuff, it'll have to stop!

[Toaster]

Also, when it comes to 'respect' don't forget that respect is a two-way street and is earned. Although TV cops and robbers-type shows are perhaps not a difinitive insight as to the workings of the police in general, you have to admit that on those shows Ozzie cops and American cops are way more polite than our own. The word 'sir' is used almost universally when Ozzie/US cops are addressing a male, not 'bro' or 'mate'. If you're a cop, call me 'sir' and I'll call you 'officer'. Call me bro and I'll call you 'cunt-face'.

Police in NZ should generally not be using terms like "bro" or "mate" and they are taught that. Many obviously forget that or adapt more relaxed kiwi-isms over time. They are also taught not to call people 'Sir' unless the title befits the person. They are told to be polite and professional and act according to the circumstances appropriately. I for one NEVER used the term "sir" as unless you were a senior officer or had a knighthood. Everyone, even the smartasses, were just spoken to politely and if warranted, firmly. If they were a dickhead, then they were dealt with... firmly.

Police are not there to kiss your arse, but to do a job professionally. If you want to be called sir, get a butler!

[peasea]

Police in NZ should generally not be using terms like "bro" or "mate" and they are taught that. Many obviously forget that or adapt more relaxed kiwi-isms over time. They are also taught not to call people 'Sir' unless the title befits the person. They are told to be polite and professional and act according to the circumstances appropriately. I for one NEVER used the term "sir" as unless you were a senior officer or had a knighthood. Everyone, even the smartasses, were just spoken to politely and if warranted, firmly. If they were a dickhead, then they were dealt with... firmly.

Police are not there to kiss your arse, but to do a job professionally. If you want to be called sir, get a butler!

In that case I'll return to calling all cops pigs. I should have known that to have polite coppers in NZ was just a wild dream.

[scumdog]

In that case I'll return to calling all cops pigs. I should have known that to have polite coppers in NZ was just a wild dream.

Ya must be one of those lucky enough to be a 'rude cop magnet'!

[peasea]

Ya must be one of those lucky enough to be a 'rude cop magnet'!

Not in recent years..........small town coppers seem to have manners.

[peasea]

I shoulda said 'call city cops pigs'. My bad.

[Scuba_Steve]

I shoulda said 'call city cops pigs'. My bad.

Just remember its not pigs its P.I.G.s (Police Inforcement "Guys") this way they cant get you with a deformation/slander case

[rustyrobot]

...its not pigs its P.I.G.s (Police Inforcement "Guys") this way they cant get you with a deformation/slander case

No, they'll bust you for bad spelling instead

"Enforcement"

[peasea]

No, they'll bust you for bad spelling instead

"Enforcement"

Which would make them P.E.G's.
Hany for hanging out the laundry.