The drink/driving cop

**Ixion** · 8th August 2006, 10:32

OSH is irrelevant, it was not in the workplace.

**ManDownUnder** · 8th August 2006, 10:34

Originally Posted by Hitcher

You may think that, but infortunately the law, in many areas, has a different view. OSH legislation is pretty clear on this, for one. Yes, you have a god-given right to do something dumb, but there are occasions when others have to face consequences for this dumbness.

Really? I didn't think this would fall under the jurisdiction of OSH (although it wouldn't surprise if it somehow did...!)

Can I be an accessory to speeding or drunk driving by not stopping (or even encouraging) someone to drink drive?

Originally Posted by Hitcher

But then there's the moral side of the matter. I know that people often (unnecessarily) beat themselves up because of things they think they should have done that may have stopped something bad happening. But then there are times when they should have taken action but didn't, for whatever reasons.

Agred 100%, but morals are highly subjective and don't hold sway in court

Originally Posted by Hitcher

This case points a big finger at a local Constable. But the wider Mokau community needs to take a long, hard look at itself as well, because it is also complicit in this most tragic saga.

How (does it point the finger at the Mokau community at large - the cop I can understand...)

**Hitcher** · 8th August 2006, 10:35

Originally Posted by Ixion

OSH is irrelevant, it was not in the workplace.

That's not what I meant. And you know it.

**Hitcher** · 8th August 2006, 10:44

Originally Posted by ManDownUnder

How (does it point the finger at the Mokau community at large - the cop I can understand...)

Mokau, while situated in one of the most visually stunning parts of New Zealand, is a bit of a sad-fuck community, populated by a diverse range of folk many of whom seem to like losing themselves under the influence of various mind-altering substances. In short this community has a bit of a problem with booze and drugs. And driving under the influence of said. It's also largely a one-road town. In this case SH3, which is a bit of a race track between Mt Messenger and the Awakino Gorge, and which also has a lot of heavy traffic on it at all times of the day and night.

In such a situation there is a limited amount a resident sole-charge Constable can do, without alienating himself from the community he is charged with serving. To advance any change, the community itself needs to acknowledge that it has a problem. Hopefully this tragedy will be the wake-up call it needs.

**ManDownUnder** · 8th August 2006, 10:53

Originally Posted by Hitcher

In such a situation there is a limited amount a resident sole-charge Constable can do, without alienating himself from the community he is charged with serving. To advance any change, the community itself needs to acknowledge that it has a problem. Hopefully this tragedy will be the wake-up call it needs.

I know the town well (being a Naki boy from years gone by...) and what you say is true - makes sense now my brain is starting to function.

**scumdog** · 8th August 2006, 11:59

Originally Posted by Hitcher

If he had not let his mate drive off into

Define 'let'.

And how do we know he 'let' his friend drive off?

Drunks are full of all kinds of subterfuge.

**Lou Girardin** · 8th August 2006, 12:29

Originally Posted by Speedracer

but wouldn't you shoot yourself in the foot, literally drink driving?

Say, not do. Drinking while driving isn't an offence, yet.

**Lou Girardin** · 8th August 2006, 12:31

Originally Posted by spudchucka

And if you were pissed do you think an additional 20 minutes would make any difference?

I don't drive pissed, but if I thought I was marginal I'd delay any way I could.

**Patrick** · 8th August 2006, 13:25

Originally Posted by scumdog

I guess (since you wouldn't want an artificially high reading) a sensible person would *not lie about how far back they had their last drink.

If it was THAT recently you would give 'em time.

*But then we're talking about alcohol enhanced minds here.

Is that like how they wouldn't lie and all say I only had a couple of beers and then blow over 1000? Fucken big beers!!!!

**Patrick** · 8th August 2006, 13:26

Originally Posted by Lou Girardin

I was thinking of booze buses. Do they engage in small talk for 20 mins?

Only if they have nice tits.

**Deano** · 8th August 2006, 13:31

Originally Posted by Ixion

OSH is irrelevant, it was not in the workplace.

The road is not a workplace for Police ?

I drive a lot at work and driving is listed as a hazard in our permanent hazard register ?

Have our H&S consultants mislead us ?

**Patrick** · 8th August 2006, 13:34

Originally Posted by Hitcher

The fact is that the cop put himself in this position. If he had not let his mate drive off into the night pissed the world today would be a different place. We wouldn't be having this discussion for one thing, and there would be one more person alive in the world.

In fact two, but one was a recidivist pisshead driver...

**Ixion** · 8th August 2006, 13:37

Originally Posted by Deano

The road is not a workplace for Police ?

I drive a lot at work and driving is listed as a hazard in our permanent hazard register ?

Have our H&S consultants mislead us ?

It wasn't the Police bod who crashed. And the drinking didn't take palce in the workpalce or as part of the job of anyone.

Road's only a workplace when it's a workplace. Sounds silly , but y'know what I mean.

**RT527** · 8th August 2006, 14:04

Originally Posted by Ixion

It wasn't the Police bod who crashed. And the drinking didn't take palce in the workpalce or as part of the job of anyone.

Road's only a workplace when it's a workplace. Sounds silly , but y'know what I mean.

Can someone clarify a point for me ...Did Comms call the Off duty officer, Or did he Call them....also if they called him then as i understand it he would have logged on with comms ...which means he would be payed for the time that he responded I guess up untill the other officer Breath tested him?, or was he doing it all for free, and I can safely say that no officer of the police force is gonna work for free!!!.Hell they dont get payed enough as it is....OH dang just replyed when I said I wouldnt....Mind you this is one hell of a debate, and I cant stay away from it.
No one person who has responded to this thread is right , nor are the wrong these are all opinions of widely diverse people and I must say if I read it right then every one is living in two worlds ...Even me, On one hand we want the police to be upholders of the law and do no wrong yet we are eager to bend the rules for an indiscretion that if it had been joe public there would be no debate and I`m sure as shit Know that my mates in the Police force wouldnt be in court saying "But hes a really good guy and he should be discharged without conviction"
Come on people be honest with yourselves had he crashed on the way youd be pushing for him to go inside for 10 to 20yrs !!!!!.
Sorry People but thats how I see it and if I`m wrong I`ll be the first to say yup Fair call.
Have a Bloody good day All.