Ever-Controversial Cop Thread

[Korea]

This is going back a little ways but...

After hanging out with some friends in the Brooklyn pub on a Friday night, I left with my girlfriend (in a car -sorry ) and after rounding the first bend got pulled by a member of our finest (pulled-over that is ).

Said officer must have been out to score some points for the side of justice by watching for drink drivers leaving the pub. Fair enough too, drinkdrivedie and all that but I hadn't been drinking so I was fairly confident when he stopped me for 'just a routine breath test sir'.

After saying my name and address the gauge must have read full zeros so (except for bad breath I guess) I thought I might be able to get on my way... but I'm guessing the sprightly young officer must have been a bit disappointed because he then decided to check WOF and REG - sure, no problem, all fine.
Hmmm...
Officer performed a quick frisk around the outside of the car for broken lights etc. all fine again...
'Will that be all officer?'
Hmmm...
"Got your licence there?"
'Sure, here you are.'
"A-haaa! This is a restricted licence and you are driving with a passenger!"
'Actually, that's a full car licence and restricted motorcycle licence officer.'
A closer inspection revealed this to be true.

Officer off to the patrol car to make some checkups I suppose, outstanding fines?.
I'm left standing around for about 10 minutes, and all this for a 'routine breath test'.

When he finally returned (with a spring in his step I might add) it turned out that while I had been out of the country during the last 2 years in Europe and Asia, my licence had expired... last month... and I had just arrived back in NZ that week.
'Yes, yes, but you are effectively driving on an expired licence and that's a $360 fine I'm afraid'.
It was true, I am the scum of the universe for having the audacity to drive *unknowingly* on an expired licence.

He was good enough to let me know that if I get my licence renewed within the week, I could get the fine overturned, which I did and with evidence of my time overseas the fine was removed. So that was nice.
But I finished by saying "Are you always this thorough?"
'Well, it's my first year on the job...'
!!!

My question is, is it standard practice to go to all these lengths for a 'routine breath test' or was he out to get me no matter what?

Apparently in Amsterdam, the police have to announce the reason for stopping you and outside of that, they can not bust you for anything else. Eg. If they stop you for a breath test and they notice a rubbish bag full of ecstasy tabs in your back seat they can't nab you! Maybe that's a bit overboard, but you get the picture...

[DemonWolf]

hmmm.. seems abit excessive.. its been done to me a couple times.. but then again I've also had some very nice Officiers... I say as long as the person was not obnoxious or belittling.. then take it.. If it happens too many times.. perhaps just write a nice letter to the station manager noting your points of view.. in a calm way.

[SixPackBack]

FUcken pigs. The boy in schhool beaten everyday, unliked by all an now a pig. Pepperspray is needed in that situation

[Sniper]

Darcy, you been into the pepper spray (PT)

I feel for ya Korea. Not a pleasent thing to happen, but maybe he was feeling all excited and will realise soon that doing that all the time just gets him abused.

[Indoo]

.My question is, is it standard practice to go to all these lengths for a 'routine breath test' or was he out to get me no matter what?...

If he was out to get you surely he would have given you a $400 fine for driving on an expired drivers license, forbidden you from driving until you obtained a current drivers license and made you walk or get at taxi home?

Instead he let you off a $400 fine by giving you compliance and he let you carry on driving, I hope you wrote into complain.

.
But I finished by saying "Are you always this thorough?"
'Well, it's my first year on the job...'
!!!...

And err haven't you just answered your own question?

[Korea]

Instead he let you off a $400 fine by giving you compliance and he let you carry on driving, I hope you wrote into complain.

No, I didn't complain ~ I agree under the circumstances, he was pretty reasonable. Just seemed excessive for a 'routine breath check' is all...

[crazylittleshit]

Sounds like over comp to me..................
Maybe someone has a little pee pee.

[Lou Girardin]

He was new and zealous, either he'll grow out of it or join the HP/STU.

[Zapf]

Apparently in Amsterdam, the police have to announce the reason for stopping you and outside of that, they can not bust you for anything else. Eg. If they stop you for a breath test and they notice a rubbish bag full of ecstasy tabs in your back seat they can't nab you! Maybe that's a bit overboard, but you get the picture...

perhaps he can pull you over again suspecting you have tabs? heheh

[Avignon]

Its the job of the police under the directives of the comrade Helens Socialist/Comunist government to raise as much revenue as possible. Saftey and crime prevention arent even on the agenda. While this happens your houses or car/bike is being broken into or taken, prisioners escape from vans, teenage kids steal, graffiti everything in sight and in south auckland kill each other, 14 year old girls get raped in their beds by multiple conviction pedofiles on parole, people get bashed and robbed, some get killed, usually pensioners - your grandmother etc. If you didnt vote national, its your fault that there will be more of the same for the next 3 years. Im off to Aussie, where its sunny every day - drought - bikes are cheaper where a white man can still hold his head high. :spudwave: Forsale 05 Hornet, 95 GSXR, 00IS300Lexus

[curious george]

If you didnt vote national, its your fault that there will be more of the same for the next 3 years.

Oh dear..... short memory? National canned the panda patrol, and made cops do it.
Wonder where our police went? National started them on the way to being fast moving meter maids.

Im off to Aussie, where its sunny every day - drought - bikes are cheaper

Can't argue that really, although it's been pretty good recently...

where a white man can still hold his head high.

Oh dear again.
It probably because the whities hunted the abbos to extinction, 'eh bro?
Indiginous rights? They got plenty of land.... it's all the middle bit, except where we put a prison, or some mine, or other tourist attraction.
Other than that, hey have the lot!

[spudchucka]

My question is, is it standard practice to go to all these lengths for a 'routine breath test' or was he out to get me no matter what?

Sounds like he is just a young cop learning his trade and at least he / she had the guts to say that they were a newbie. Really it just sounds as if he was thorough and professional. If you weren't stopped you probably wouldn't have known about your expired licence and if you had a crash you may have found yourself without insurance.

[inlinefour]

He was new and zealous, either he'll grow out of it or join the HP/STU.

Always wondered about that.

[avgas]

'Well, it's my first year on the job...'

Apparently in Amsterdam, the police have to announce the reason for stopping you and outside of that, they can not bust you for anything else.

Get that cop a medal!!! ............. ................. ............wotta cock
Cops genrally do say what they are stopping you for in NZ - however most of the time its BS.
Must have been a slow night for the NOOB.
Its a shame these guys are on the force, cos there are craploads of good cops out there.

[Magua]

I haven't come across a bad one in my travels. I've been pulled over for looking "suspicious", but I was on my way again in a minute. That's about it.