Covert Policing and Cameras

**Ninja51** · 21st February 2005, 08:58

Back in Blighty, the local police authorities were obliged to publish in advance precisely where they were going to place mobile speed cameras.
This was usually using the net or the local papers. Does anyone know if this extremely useful service is available over here?
In addition, what's the low down on unmarked police cars? Type? Are they easy to spot here? Do they have any "give away " signs and do they have any sneeky tactics to look out for?
Yours twitching nervously...

**moko** · 21st February 2005, 09:19

You`re right mate,they do all that and still they catch thousands.Dont know how long you`ve been in N.Z. but some police forces here now have undercover bikes equipped with Gatsos,they had a Deauville(ideal beacause they`ve got built-in panniers to hold all the gear)somewhere that clocked up 40 grands worth of fines in 3 days.Deauvilles also a good choice because it`s the kind of bike that brings out the dickhead in sportsbike riders when they see it on the road.

**XTC** · 21st February 2005, 09:33

What's a Deauville?

**Biff** · 21st February 2005, 09:39

Originally Posted by Andyadams

What's a Deauville?

Otherwise known as the Dull Ville - should have been strangled at birth that bike. Imagine an ST1300 that's been left out in the rain so it's shrunk. Then beat it with an ugly stick and then throw some boring powder over it.

Basically it's an under-powered tourer with integrated panniers. It offers excellent fuel economy, but to quote a bike mag I have at home," I know a guy whose wife bought him one of these for his birthday. He cried, and it wasn't out of happiness."

Yep - even Honda make crap bikes from time to time.

**Skunk** · 21st February 2005, 10:10

Originally Posted by Ninja51

Back in Blighty, the local police authorities were obliged to publish in advance precisely where they were going to place mobile speed cameras.
This was usually using the net or the local papers. Does anyone know if this extremely useful service is available over here?
In addition, what's the low down on unmarked police cars? Type? Are they easy to spot here? Do they have any "give away " signs and do they have any sneeky tactics to look out for?
Yours twitching nervously...

Any type of car (usually bigger - Falcon, Galant etc). Have seen 4WD Mitsi utes. Tell tale - coloured golf balls in the grille and rear parcel shelf.
Speed cameras are anywhere without warning but 'not hidden' (yeah, right.)

**DarkNinja** · 21st February 2005, 10:16

Big Ford XR6/8 things or Holden Commadores: Telltail signs:
extra aerials
lights in the rear up the top that arent brake lights
front grille lights (ussually not visible)
big one: most run on lpg so there is a diamond LPG sticker on the front and rear of them
Havent run into any mufti bike cops.... Seen a few marked ones tho but not many..

**thehollowmen** · 21st February 2005, 10:25

Originally Posted by DarkNinja

Big Ford XR6/8 things or Holden Commadores: Telltail signs:
extra aerials
lights in the rear up the top that arent brake lights
front grille lights (ussually not visible)
big one: most run on lpg so there is a diamond LPG sticker on the front and rear of them
Havent run into any mufti bike cops.... Seen a few marked ones tho but not many..

At the CBTA course they warned us about a cop on a mufty harley around Blenham somewhere...

Not sure if it is just hear-say or ...

Still, it ain't like I can go fast on the GN

**bugjuice** · 21st February 2005, 11:58

yeah, as darkninja pointed out, those are the most tell-tale signs. More specifically, the big commies or falcons have a huge CB areial mounted on the boot, the standard radio arial is mounted on the front wing, so that's a give away.
Other things like the LPG sticker, which is a huge giveaway, none of them have wheel trims on, most have those butt-ugly steel wheels on, some have nice standard mags, but those are the newist HP cars, not many of those around yet. The lights on the rear parcel shelf, and behind the front grill, extra equipment on the dash board (depending on how you're riding past the car) and most are dirty cos they spend a lot of time on the road.

Altho, be warned people - I saw a dark red Pulsar sedan which was an unmarked car. It had wheel trims, dents, ripped out stereo etc, just looked like a crap-heap, but closer inspection, there were lights on the rear shelf, well hidden, and behind the front grill. Also had a towbar (most UM cars don't) and just didn't look to be anything other than a joyriders target. I think some of the cars cops are confiscating are being converted to the dark side.. But that's just a guess..

**madboy** · 21st February 2005, 12:44

I was under the impression the LPG stickered ones were the D's (detectives) while the traffic ones were normal fuel, therefore no gaping LPG sticker. Most newer units have lights on the dash (usually centred). I think a couple have them on the sunvisors too, like they flick down. Sneaky.

I think I had a run in with a gold maxima (2000-ish model) on the hutt motorway, and I know there is a silver maxima floating around Wgtn. Also a selection of different coloured Commodore S. I don't think the cops go for the V8s anymore.

All the camera vans I've seen in the last year have been Mitsi L300 of varying colours (including the dark green one that usually parks in the shade to make it even MORE difficult to see). And then there are the stackload of other cars the cops have that are not usually for traffic use - like the L200 utes with canopies, the dog handler in the bright red Commo Ute with canopy... just as well I met that one at the lights!! And I've heard a rumour about Mazda 6s in Auckland. Nice car, shame about their use.

Theoretically the NZ boys are not supposed to engage in covert activity for traffic enforcement, which fits in well with the cop standing on the overbridge with a tree hiding his silhouette on the Hutt mway with three chase cars hidden down the side street last Thursday night. Coulda been interesting had I not been riding with a group at the time.

Best advice if you want to avoid a ticket - don't speed or take off your plate and do a runner everytime. The moral debate on that was covered on another thread.