Here's a question - how fast are cops allowed to drive?

**2much** · 8th June 2006, 12:34

When they're chasing you because you just passed them at 200k's on the rear wheel, they can go as fast as they want.... it's the speed they tell comms they're doing that is limited....

**madboy** · 8th June 2006, 12:39

I've got no problems with cops going hard in the middle of the night when my young daughter is tucked up in bed and all the road users out at that time of night should have enough common sense to get out of the way of the big car going really really fast with flashing lights going. What I have a problem with is that some cops just aren't natural born drivers. Passing a test is great, lots of people can pass tests, but it still doesn't mean they're any good at what they've been tested on.

That one on TV last night looked like a shocker. Car slides so you hit the brakes?! WTF?! Isn't that the exact way you loop a car with ABS brakes? Oh wait, what happened? They looped a car with ABS brakes! But I wasn't there so I reserve judgement.

Must have been the bronze and silver drivers I was listening to on the scanner last night, losing the same stolen car three times. One dog wagon lost a valiant battle with a truck that got in the way too... RIP. Hope they catch that scumbag.

**Squeak the Rat** · 8th June 2006, 13:29

Originally Posted by Bykey Cop

Basically consists of a 2-3 hour theory lecture and test on driving / pursuit policy plus a 2-3 hour practical driving assessment... just like sitting your drivers licence all over again but slightly more complex. If the instructor isn't happy with your driving, then you get a Silver or Bronze (which limits what you can do, mainly in pursuits).

4-6 hours training / evaluation to be able to partake in dangerous high speed pursuits.

This sounds a little light to me. I would have thought that certifying some one as able to partake in high speed road driving would take a bit longer than that.

The training is obviously top notch though. Why don't we make this course compulsory for all drivers - that way every one would be safer and this would lower the road toll.....

**Beemer** · 8th June 2006, 13:37

There was something on the news the other day about 200 (from memory) police officers being issued with infringement notices for speeding when it wasn't warranted. (No problem with them exceeding the speed limit in a controlled fashion to race to the scene of a crime/accident/etc.)

Now what was that advertising campaign recently - "if you're prepared to speed, you're prepared to kill"... mmn, does that mean that 200 sworn police officers are ready, willing and able to kill us on the roads? Or is that message only aimed at civilians? Can civilians not handle speeding? Are we like teenagers who can't handle their liquor?

Sounds like a case of one rule for them and another for us.

**Squeak the Rat** · 8th June 2006, 13:47

It's good to see that the cops are getting busted the same as the people they bust. I guess that's as fair as I can ask, although I know for a fact that a "gidday mate" from a fellow cop will often get you off a speeding ticket........

**Sniper** · 8th June 2006, 13:49

Its like mates rates Squeak. If your best mate is a cop and you are too and you pull him over for speeding, would you give him a ticket?

**Korea** · 8th June 2006, 13:52

Originally Posted by Bykey Cop

For Gold passes, please see the www.newcops.co.nz website and you will be well on your way.

Basically consists of a 2-3 hour theory lecture and test on driving / pursuit policy plus a 2-3 hour practical driving assessment... just like sitting your drivers licence all over again but slightly more complex. If the instructor isn't happy with your driving, then you get a Silver or Bronze (which limits what you can do, mainly in pursuits). You can apply to be re-assessed every 6 months I think if you want to try again for Gold.

Sounds a little like Gran Turismo - do the test to earn your licence (and get a gold, silver, or bronze rating). Is Playstation also in the test?

**Squeak the Rat** · 8th June 2006, 13:57

Originally Posted by Sniper

Its like mates rates Squeak. If your best mate is a cop and you are too and you pull him over for speeding, would you give him a ticket?

Nope, surely wouldn't. If I was a cop I'd let my mates off to. But as a civvy it pisses me off that I would get penalised for something that some one who enforces the law gets away with.

To rephrase: I understand it, I'd probably do it, but I don't like it - unless I was the one receiving the favourable treatment.

Yep, I'm a hypocrite, but I expect our law enforcement not to be. (circular hypocricy?)

**Sniper** · 8th June 2006, 13:59

Its the way humans work squeak. Nothing wrong with that response.

**Switch** · 8th June 2006, 14:03

oo00oo i wouldnt mind becoming a cop. 4-5 hours of testing and i can drive FAST

...nah but really. i think if they need to get somewhere in a hurry they should be allowed to. While we all complain about them getting away with dodgy stuff, look what Beemer said about the 200 odd cops getting done for speeding. According to that, they don't get away with anymore than we do, unless they have a permit.
I still wouldnt mind becoming a Cop, that fitness test is the only thing stopping me

**Filterer** · 8th June 2006, 15:12

Originally Posted by Bykey Cop

For Gold passes, please see the www.newcops.co.nz website and you will be well on your way.

Basically consists of a 2-3 hour theory lecture and test on driving / pursuit policy plus a 2-3 hour practical driving assessment... just like sitting your drivers licence all over again but slightly more complex. If the instructor isn't happy with your driving, then you get a Silver or Bronze (which limits what you can do, mainly in pursuits). You can apply to be re-assessed every 6 months I think if you want to try again for Gold.

Hmm sounds like NCEA you fail but still get your certificate and another go in 6months, just gotta keep trying to you get lucky and pass (I’m sure thats how some people get their licenses.

To be honest 2-3 hours of theory seems veery small when if you do a defensive driving course for your full thats 12 hours long. And 2-3 hours of practical? thats about enough time to get shown a few scenarios once, where do they practise? Ahh yes on our urban roads.

Im sure some cop drivers are great but I would have thought most wouldn’t have enough experience (especially when they are otherwise supposed to be following the letter of the law), at least other members of the public (read us) have a chance to push the limits in perhaps a slightly more controlled environment on open roads etc and where we are not under pressure not to let someone get away.

When was the last time you saw a cop doing donuts, “testing overtaking times” on the open road or pushing hard in the twisties?

I’d like to see some continuing education in practical defensive driving, not just for cops but also for all drivers

**Lou Girardin** · 8th June 2006, 16:28

Make them do 2 full days per week for 12 weeks and their crash rate just might get as low as the MOT's was.

**Sniper** · 8th June 2006, 16:30

Originally Posted by Filterer

To be honest 2-3 hours of theory seems veery small when if you do a defensive driving course for your full thats 12 hours long.

True, but the majority of people who do defensive driving courses are only out to get their licenses faster rather than learn skills. I have a few mates like that who can hardly remember what was taught in the course.