what are NZ coppers like

[scumdog]

Scumdog,you gotta remember that some of us grew up in the days when you'd get sprung for acting up(within reason of course) and the boys would just give you a kick up the rear and send you home.It doesn't seem to happen anymore.

Huh! Try that today and it's PCA, private prosecutions, etc etc!!
And the little shits know their 'rights' - and a lot of parents are of the "no, no not my son John" mentallity which the little shits hide behind.
BTW I'm of the age group you mentioned and man, if I got a kick up the arse the next big worry was the kick I would get from the old man when I got home!

[Patrick]

Scumdog,you gotta remember that some of us grew up in the days when you'd get sprung for acting up(within reason of course) and the boys would just give you a kick up the rear and send you home.It doesn't seem to happen anymore.

All because mommys and daddys think their little shitbag can do no wrong and they complain and have you up for assault! Aaaahhhhh....... the good old days....gotta polish my own boots now with boot polish and brush instead... Still, get the odd parent who invites you to do so and when you politely refuse, do it themselves, usually harder too.....Aaaaahhhhhh.... the good old days....

[Patrick]

Huh! Try that today and it's PCA, private prosecutions, etc etc!!
And the little shits know their 'rights' - and a lot of parents are of the "no, no not my son John" mentallity which the little shits hide behind.
BTW I'm of the age group you mentioned and man, if I got a kick up the arse the next big worry was the kick I would get from the old man when I got home!

Hahahaha beat me to it Scum...

[ManDownUnder]

Huh! Try that today and it's PCA, private prosecutions, etc etc!!
And the little shits know their 'rights' - and a lot of parents are of the "no, no not my son John" mentallity which the little shits hide behind.
BTW I'm of the age group you mentioned and man, if I got a kick up the arse the next big worry was the kick I would get from the old man when I got home!

Shame we've gone away from those day really. I'd have no worries with my kids getting a right footed attitudinal adjustment where it's warranted.

[Big Dave]

My dealings with NZ police have been pleasant enough - even when getting ticketed. They listened as i pleaded my case and i got some split decisions (warnings).

I think they are initially more 'assertive' than their Aussie counterparts - probably to make up for the lack of a cannon that the aussies have strapped to their waists.

[kerryg]

Coppers in parts of the majotr cities in particular deal with pond-scum low-life trailer-park human detritus on an hourly basis...I think it'd be surprising if they didn't have the odd bad moustache day. Mostly (not all) they're reasonable jokers doing a difficult job.

[madboy]

I haven't experienced any of the overseas coppers to compare them too. I like the idea that they are generally not armed, and don't seem to have the dumbass attitude you see on the American reality cop shows.

When it comes to traffic I seem to attract more than my fair share of dipshits who really don't like it when you start asking pointed questions. I've not once had an officer who has been able to answer the "How are you contributing to road safety right now?" question without launching into the speed kills hypocrisy. But that's probably more just them expressing company policy rather than individual thought. And since I'm not allowed to express individual thought at work (where it contradicts the company), I can understand why they're not allowed to either.

I've got to give them credit where it's due, most outside of traffic are pretty good in my experience. And most of the traffic guys (and girls) are smart enough to leave a 600cc sportsbike alone, no matter what. But you get the odd one who seems up for a whipping... why they bother I don't know?!

On balance, I think the NZ cops are pretty good.

[Lou Girardin]

I really have an issue with Police policies rather than individuals, although we seem to be getting some really dumb cops lately. Maybe there are some changes in the wind. (he says hopefully)
The cops I've known, I liked. But then I'd like them whatever job they do.

[DMNTD:Me]

Like most others I generally have no problems with the coppa's.
Sure there have been wankers but there are wankers everywhere out there.

Just got back from a ride through from Whangarei to Dargaville and back.
Got stuck behind an unmarked D car but he gladly cruised between 120-140 on there way over. Yep I was a little shocked but it was an open road with no traffic and safe conditions.
Just goes to show not all are anal buggers with an attitude

[Beemer]

Some are really great and some are real arseholes - pretty much the same as any profession! I've been given warnings by some great cops who could easily have given me a ticket, and I've also had tickets from some nasty pieces of work where a warning would have sufficed.

They don't seem to be vindictive and I've not experienced any trouble (only one ticket) on the bike - I certainly think some cops hate bikes, but I don't get the feeling they are out to get every biker, more that they are less likely to tolerate any indiscretions if they see them.

[Jantar]

I have met many cops, both socially, and on the road. The great majority are just normal people and are absolutely fair. Like in any profession though, there are a few who give a bad name to the others.

It does appear that those few who aren't up to scratch congregate in particular areas, and I suspect, but have little evidence, that they are being driven by their senior sergents to concentrate on traffic infringements rather than other incidents.

generally, cops in NZ can be trusted to be fair in all circumstances.

[wil]

thats good to know, not that i am a law breaker, coppers over here just attack the easy targets motorcyclists and car drivers, as it mean they dont have to do anything and it keeps the figures up.

[Toast]

Agree with most of the above...95% really good guys, but company policy and quota system means they have to ticket for some seriously harmless bullshit...haven't they got unions or anything to stand up to this crap and insist on being able to focus on upholding safety rather than enforcing laws?

Problem is you never know which one you're gonna get, so have to act like an asshole to avoid the possibility of getting a bad one.