Cop charged with dangerous driving while responding to an urgent job

**terbang** · 24th January 2007, 18:43

Well the cop that chased two of us up SH39 yesterday would have picked up a jail term for his speed.

**avgas** · 24th January 2007, 18:53

Originally Posted by pervert

Haha I don't think anywhere here is showing signs of tall poppy syndrome

You didnt read the quote about those who says - "Its not fair, the cops shouldn't be allowed to go faster than me!" then?
They're the cops - of all people should be allowed to speed, otherwise what is the point.

**McJim** · 24th January 2007, 19:40

I just re-read the title and had an epiphany. It wasn't the speed. He has been charged with dangerous driving. We've all assumed it's speed related but there could be something else involved.

**Lou Girardin** · 24th January 2007, 19:48

Was it between 8.00 and 9.00AM or 2.30 and 3.30PM?
If not, this is just more Police headquarters bullshit.
Trying to show us that no-one is above the law.
They'll have all emergency services too afraid to exceed posted limits soon.
Wait till someone dies as a result of a slow response.

**pervert** · 24th January 2007, 19:58

Originally Posted by Lou Girardin

Was it between 8.00 and 9.00AM

Yes it was.

**rwh** · 24th January 2007, 21:26

Originally Posted by CaN

Um, well, actually you did. You expressed an opinion about peoples opinions.

Not on the subject in question. I'll happily express opinions on all sorts of other things.

Richard

**Squeak the Rat** · 24th January 2007, 22:14

Damn, a cbt...

There are defined rules for speed during incident response. We're always told by the coppas that if we break the rules and get caught then we shouldn't complain. He got caught, court decided, stop complaining.

But as is often the case

I'm not sure I agree with the rule or the enforcement of it. Nor do I have issue with rules being ignored providing no one is put at risk.

If you wanna speed to save me then go for it. If your trying to catch me then naughty naughty!

**oldrider** · 24th January 2007, 22:42

Just trying to gloss over Helen's little episode at Waimate, showing that nobody except her is above the law, especially the Police!
While of course she remains

.
I see he was discharged in court but why was he charged in the first place.

Cynical as ever, John.

**spudchucka** · 24th January 2007, 22:46

Originally Posted by MSTRS

*winds in another one*....might have reached my quota for today

Easy aye, know any other good tricks?

**spudchucka** · 24th January 2007, 22:53

Originally Posted by McJim

Respectfully though a lot of police ask dumbarsed questions too. "Do you know how fast you were travelling?" - "Well you're the one with the radar that's going to charge me regardless of what I say - why bother with the dumbarsed rhetoric?"

Is there a script given to HP in order to illicit the maximum ire from the general public?

Why not just wander up to the window, ticket already written and say "121kph in a 100kph Area - here's yer ticket, laters"

I've only heard this second hand of course coz I've never actually met a copper. They never stop me. I get waved through roadblocks (ask Hellraiser - he witnessed it) I never seem to be speeding in the same area as the police.

I'm just sticking up for MSTRS the way you fellas stick up for each other here.

Laters.

1: Nothing wrong with a bit of road side trolling.

2: Don't know, I've never worked for them.

3: Its polite to ask if they have an explanation, isn't it?

4: Never met a copper? You met me recently on a ride from the Ashhurst Mobil. Were you speeding that day? My speedo never went past 100kph!

5: MSTRS is a seasoned campaigner on this site and judging from his reply he was seeking the very response that I provided him, I'm sure he doesn't really need your help.

**spudchucka** · 24th January 2007, 22:57

Originally Posted by MSTRS

Now comeon ...they are straight out of the manual, aren't they??

Ask Lou how the MOT snakes were trained to deal with people.

"Good evening driver, may I have your driver's licence for inspection, please"?

**spudchucka** · 24th January 2007, 23:04

Originally Posted by Winston001

Ok, decision released. The original charge was "driving at a dangerous speed" - not proven. However the Judge did convict the officer on the lesser charge of "driving at excess speed".

The Judge then considered the circumstances for sentencing and discharged the officer without conviction. So no conviction at all.

A win for common sense.

Good one.

**spudchucka** · 24th January 2007, 23:07

Originally Posted by McJim

I just re-read the title and had an epiphany. It wasn't the speed. He has been charged with dangerous driving. We've all assumed it's speed related but there could be something else involved.

You can be charged with dangerous manner or dangerous speed, both amount to the same thing in terms of penalties etc.

**Ixion** · 24th January 2007, 23:35

One of the characteristics most necessary in a police officer is sound judgement (I know, I've said this before). A cop whose judgement is consistently bad will be a liability to himself , the force, and the public; and is unlikely to last long.

Also, for reasons that are fairly obvious, society has agreed to exempt the police (under certain defined conditions ) from various rules that govern the rest of us. For instance, if I go about with a pistol in my pocket I will be in big trouble when caught. A cop is (sometimes) exempted from this. Likewise a cop is (sometimes, and subject to conditions) exempted from speed laws.

Now , if a cop utilises that exemption in a way that shows poor judgement, then I suggest that should be a disciplinary matter within the force, not a criminal charge. Officer Bumblebee should have faced a bollocking from Senior Sergeant, and a note on his record. If he incurs many such notes , then the suggestion might need to be made that a policeman's lot is , for him, not a happy one. But it is counterproductive to drag him up in court for doing what is, in fact, his job.