Police above reproach?

[Dave-]

Because that wouldn't happen if they werent being chased?

clearly it didnt, it's an exponentially smaller chance of happening if a police officer is in chase.

the risk outweighs the benefit.

Ohh thats right because our superman cops are able to stop 2 ton holden on a dime when little girl jumps in front of it.....must be some awesome training they go thru then, power of judgement as you say i reckon...

they dont have to be super human, just more intelligent than you apparently.

[NUTBAR]

Indeed, you freaking nut bar
Was my point too. The Police are/should be smart enough to know when they too are just adding to the potential of 'damage'.

yes thought it was, just some other people seem to loose the point of the thread rather quick,

[Blackshear]

Almost been collected thrice by an ambulance on MY side of the road/blind intersection/blind crest. Ironic. All three oncoming, all three requiring incredibly evasive action - one so bad, it required mounting the gutter. In all three instances, were I in a car, I can assure you there would have been a crash.

Been a mere finger length from death by a policeman on the motorway - he literally split between me and the motorist on my left with at LEAST 40km/h difference, I couldn't believe my eyes. I agree we both should have been a little more aware, but were that me, I would probably be in jail for reckless driving and pretty poor to boot.

Nothing on firetrucks yet, though I suppose something with such length and girth would all but tear me asunder.

[Patrick]

Patrick, I'm simply reporting my experiences and reactions. I'm not asking you to validate them.

I wasn't.... just putting in some balance....

You're confused that I can see both sides of the coin and that I'm annoyed at getting pinged for something I didn't do?

Pinged? By who? Not me.....

The world isn't black and white.

Can I add a bit to the story? After my accident in January the cop who attended was fabulous BUT he consistently ranted at my wife that there was no way a bike would slide 85 metres if I wasn't speeding.

Some things are best left unsaid... especially when one does not fully know what they are talking about.... As you report later, the SCU calculated your speed. They have knowledge and physics to back up what they say.....

Now my wife was not is a good state. She'd had a nasty phone call from me, her family were initially refusing to help so she couldn't get to me and the cop wouldn't shut up about charging me with something, completely ignoring the fact that I'd been nailed by some farmer's wandering stock and someone had removed the ear tag from the animal and left me unattended and unconscious on the side of the road.

The SCU ripped him a new one and estimated that my maximum speed at the time of impact was 75km/hr and more likely 55-65km/hr given that part of the trip my bike took was down a short but steep gradient at the start of a driveway. This was on an open road. The SCU cop who ran my investigation also looked after Hitcher's incident and could not have been more of a gentleman.

I don't know how to rationalise the dichotomy where on the one hand they're marvellous at the scene and get you sorted quickly and are genuinely concerned but with in seconds of the helicopter taking off my wife is being told that I'm facing a prolonged loss of licence and a possible jail term for excessive speed. Surely that could have been left until there were some actual facts to hand?

Because they are concerned, perhaps? Then there are the possibilities of what happened and why... and ther results of that, at a later hearing... sometimes?

As I said though my experience of cops is entirely moderated by circumstance. I do not feel well disposed toward the constabulary in general due to repeated instances this year where I've been dealt to, fairly or unfairly, but unlike some of the rabid haters I am not predisposed to hating ALL dirty, stinking, filthy, coppers, because SOME lie and some are sadists.

I am happy to give the Police some leeway for being human. How about you do the same for me?

As I said before.... I honestly have no idea why you think I was attacking anything you said.

To recap, you said it was a one hate thing for one cop only, then a sentence or two later, its all of em.... Confused, was all....... Still am......

Take a breath, re-read what I said, in reply to what you said....

have you people used the service? By all means it is ALOT better than trying to complain about a judge they're protected better than the priests molesting little boys. But I've only ever had 1 of all my valid complaints make it past the IPCC 1st stage, and it was probably the most minor of all complaints in-fact I think it would be the only one where there was no legal ramifications for the officer involved.

Seen it in action, up close and all....

Seen "complaints" against cops for busting a jean belt hoop of a struggling prisoner who refused to remove his belt... seen "complaints" against a cop who prevented a prisoner from receiving drugs, forcibly taking them off him, and he claims assault after having a go at the copper first; seen "complaints" about tickets being issued because they didn't think they should get them; seen complaints against cops who win the fight after the first punches are thrown by the offender - and they lost the fight - so they "complain" to the PCA.... the list goes on....

Almost been collected thrice by an ambulance on MY side of the road/blind intersection/blind crest. Ironic. All three oncoming, all three requiring incredibly evasive action - one so bad, it required mounting the gutter. In all three instances, were I in a car, I can assure you there would have been a crash.

Been a mere finger length from death by a policeman on the motorway - he literally split between me and the motorist on my left with at LEAST 40km/h difference, I couldn't believe my eyes. I agree we both should have been a little more aware, but were that me, I would probably be in jail for reckless driving and pretty poor to boot.

Nothing on firetrucks yet, though I suppose something with such length and girth would all but tear me asunder.

Had a firetruck take a massively wide birth at speed rounding a sharp 90 degree corner, completely onto my side of the road, as I approached a right turning lane at lights at this T instersection.

I could hear the thing coming, but didn't know where from, so was aware.... on seeing it heading straight for me, being alert and all, I dived for the curb and it missed ..... And the driver was my now former brother in law.... We had words over coffee later that night....

Them blardy dodgy Ambo and Firey Drivers, they all drive like crap....

[scumdog]

the police here get all hyped up with the chases, i think the whole point of this thread was the fact that the police were driving in a recless manner passed a school with a school crossing patrol out! with i belive no suspect in front of them? so there for no reason for there carless use of a motor vehicle. or exsesive speed passed a school!

So what has been the result of your official complaint on the matter??

[Usarka]

Reply below.

It is our reluctant ruling that the complaint be upheld. The public are starting to become aware of two trends. i) Pursuits supposedly being called off moments the fleeing vehicle crashes, and ii) the act of the pursuit sometimes increases the net danger to the public. It is hereby determined that any officer seeking to embark on a pursuit must first herewith engage in a regulation serving of doughnut, and then engage pursuit if still judged to be of best interest to the public.

[Edbear]

Police chases are never gonna please everyone, usually if someone's running is for more than the current offense the disco started for, tho they could also be thrill seekers. So while I think most of them can't be avoided if the person is known just let 'em go & catch up with them later, also training wouldn't go amiss I could out drive most cops after a bottle of vodka, so if they're going to proceed with dangerous driving they should first be taught how to drive.

Oh, I'm sure we all could, mate. How about a wee challenge to prove it...?

I am guessing police don't give a shit what Joe Public thinks, but they do give a shit about the public, (most I would imagine)... I would not like to be facing a criminal every day of my life.

Someone has to do the job, I would like to see those that complain give it a go... !

Interesting to see just how many who ARE doing the job, complain about it, eh? Intersting too, that the most vocal seem to be those who have found themselves on the wrong side of the law.

How on Earth did I reach my age after 40 years of driving/riding, being generally law-abiding, but having seen speeds exceeding twice the legal limit at times, with only two minor speeding tickets, one minor parking ticket and one recent crash at about 45km/h that the Police investigated and concluded was not my fault?

In 40 years in the road, I've never had cause to argue with a cop, or ever been treated unfairly or disrespectfully by a cop. I was disappointed at my last speeding ticket for 112km/h after he accepted my explanation and booked me anyway, but the fact was that I was exceeding the limit and should have been aware of my speed. Fair cop and made me more careful from then on.

As the cops on here keep saying, if you have a genuine complaint that should be addressed, do something about it. Maybe a few of us could look at ourselves a bit more...

[Scuba_Steve]

Oh, I'm sure we all could, mate. How about a wee challenge to prove it...?

I'd be keen on that, but before hand I would want in writing a legal agreement to immunity for the event... Not that I don't trust the police or anything

Oh and it would have to be vodka, 2 beers (disgusting piss water that is) or a bottle of wine & I couldn't drive myself outta my property

[Edbear]

I'd be keen on that, but before hand I would want in writing a legal agreement to immunity for the event... Not that I don't trust the police or anything

Oh and it would have to be vodka, 2 beers (disgusting piss water that is) or a bottle of wine & I couldn't drive myself outta my property

I reckon it could be something Close Up or some such program would be interested in doing considering the publicity about Police chases...

[Tink]

Interesting to see just how many who ARE doing the job, complain about it, eh? Intersting too, that the most vocal seem to be those who have found themselves on the wrong side of the law.

How on Earth did I reach my age after 40 years of driving/riding, being generally law-abiding, but having seen speeds exceeding twice the legal limit at times, with only two minor speeding tickets, one minor parking ticket and one recent crash at about 45km/h that the Police investigated and concluded was not my fault?

In 40 years in the road, I've never had cause to argue with a cop, or ever been treated unfairly or disrespectfully by a cop. I was disappointed at my last speeding ticket for 112km/h after he accepted my explanation and booked me anyway, but the fact was that I was exceeding the limit and should have been aware of my speed. Fair cop and made me more careful from then on.

As the cops on here keep saying, if you have a genuine complaint that should be addressed, do something about it. Maybe a few of us could look at ourselves a bit more...

I agree to that first paragraph, I have had some speeding tickets 2 outside highschools, my fault for doing 54km... but in saying that, I have kids that just cross the road without looking, I have slowed down outside schools, but I still get angry at teenagers that think pedestrian crossings are free for all pavements...

As for 40 years on the road.... experience is the necessary.... if your under 30 think again when your on the road, if your under 40 remember what you did wrong at under 30... if your under 50.... slow down ... we seem to think we between 40 & 50 are smart... (not everyone)... and under 60... aw you guys rock, and know who you are ... hopefully your memories have not slipped, and you teach your teenagers well.

And as I slowly slip into the "finally its the long weekend over,"... if I gave you a thumbs up on your bike today in Franklin.... I was jealous!!!!

[Kendog]

I don't think i'm being sensationalist when i say i was suprised i didn't see dead people that day.

Yes you are.

[carver]

Im watching you cunts

[schrodingers cat]

I reckon it could be something Close Up or some such program would be interested in doing considering the publicity about Police chases...

For sure. Cause that is the right forum for reasoned intelligent debate...

[Edbear]

I agree to that first paragraph, I have had some speeding tickets 2 outside highschools, my fault for doing 54km... but in saying that, I have kids that just cross the road without looking, I have slowed down outside schools, but I still get angry at teenagers that think pedestrian crossings are free for all pavements...

As for 40 years on the road.... experience is the necessary.... if your under 30 think again when your on the road, if your under 40 remember what you did wrong at under 30... if your under 50.... slow down ... we seem to think we between 40 & 50 are smart... (not everyone)... and under 60... aw you guys rock, and know who you are ... hopefully your memories have not slipped, and you teach your teenagers well.

And as I slowly slip into the "finally its the long weekend over,"... if I gave you a thumbs up on your bike today in Franklin.... I was jealous!!!!

Awww, shucks! Thanks whoever you are, and whatever this was about...

[Edbear]

For sure. Cause that is the right forum for reasoned intelligent debate...

ROFL!!! I'd give it a go!