Would a POLICE camouflage be illegal?

[TOTO]

Well I saw this ad on trade-me - clicky...


I couldn't help but think how this bike looks like those police bikes. This got me thinking...


1. In my opinion just as anyone can wear a cap, t-shirt that says "POLICE", so anyone should be able to wear a High Viz vest that says "POLICE" while riding bike. Am i right ?


2. Would it be illegal to put some "POLICE" stickers on this bike, some high reflective blue and yellow tape and make it a police bike look alike ?


Not in mind of stopping people or being an idiot on it, but just for the fun of it.

I recon a few "POLICE" stickers, A high viz vest and a white helmet and there will be no more "I didnt see you" situations. Also I'd imagine lane splittting will be easier


or is this whole thing a NO NO

[White trash]

Ask officer Mikey.

From memory the Highway Patrol unit that pulled him up failed to see the humour.

[nevets]

Pretty sure its an offence to impersonate the plod in any way. They tend to get quite upset about blue lights on the front of cars/bikes too.

[boman]

I have been led to believe that putting Police or Traffic on a vehicle is a BIG nono. But I could be wrong.

[AD345]

or is this whole thing a NO NO

yes yes

10fch

[CookMySock]

No you are not allowed to impersonate poilice.

Steve

[Rockbuddy]

if you just put the reflective tape and the high vis without the wording what could they do ???

[TOTO]

What about if all the high vis stickers were just like the police ones but there was no "POLICE" written anywhere ?

that should be fine right ?

[Ixion]

Very definately VERY illegal. And potentially BIG penalties

Land Transport Act 1998

Persons not to impersonate enforcement officers

(1) A person (other than an enforcement officer or a dangerous goods enforcement officer) may not by words, conduct, or demeanour pretend to be an enforcement officer or dangerous goods enforcement officer, or put on or assume the dress, name, designation, or description of an enforcement officer or dangerous goods enforcement officer.
(2) This section does not affect section 48 of the Policing Act 2008.

And, Police Act 2008

Personation and representing vehicle, etc, as Police vehicle
(1) A person commits an offence who, without reasonable excuse, and in circumstances likely to lead a person to believe that the person is a Police employee,—
(a) pretends to be a Police employee by his or her words, conduct, or demeanour; or
(b) assumes the name, designation, or description of a Police employee.

(2) A person commits an offence who, without reasonable excuse, uses any of the following things in circumstances likely to lead a person to believe that the user is a Police employee:
(a) a Police uniform, or item of that uniform, or a Police article:
(b) a uniform, or item of uniform, or article that closely resembles a Police uniform, or item of that uniform, or Police article.

(3) A person commits an offence who, without reasonable excuse, represents any vehicle, craft, or other conveyance as being in the service of the Police in circumstances likely to lead a person to believe the vehicle, craft, or conveyance is in the service of the Police.

(4) A person who commits an offence against this section is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, to a fine not exceeding $15,000, or to both.

Note the "closely resembles"

[Ixion]

1. In my opinion just as anyone can wear a cap, t-shirt that says "POLICE", so anyone should be able to wear a High Viz vest that says "POLICE" while riding bike. Am i right ?

No, anyone cannot. No, anyone should not be able to. And no, you are not right.

[Ixion]

What about if all the high vis stickers were just like the police ones but there was no "POLICE" written anywhere ?

that should be fine right ?

No, it would not.

[3umph]

I'd say it would be illegal to make a replica and be riding it... especially if you were to make it look the same as current bikes on the road...

I'd say you would get done for impersonating a police officer....

to get it done is not cheap either even on a bike as the reflective they use is not cheap...

[Oakie]

Many years ago I put a white bikini fairing thing with a windscreen thing like cruisers have, on my bike. It did look a bit like a police bike from the front and it was really noticeable how much more respect I got from other road users with that on.

[TOTO]

No, anyone cannot. No, anyone should not be able to. And no, you are not right.

Oh I see

You are THE MAN Ixion !!!

[P38]

Pretty sure its an offence to impersonate the plod in any way. They tend to get quite upset about blue lights on the front of cars/bikes too.

Yes I agree impersonating a police officer is an offence.

However I lived next door to a bloke in Hastings who bought at auction an ex police BMW R80 when these were sold off in the mid 80s.

Said bike came complete with everything a real poilice bike would have except the Lights and the radio gear had been removed.

The siren was still fitted and in perfect working condition. The radio aerial was also still fitted. The saddle bags still had the police decals on them.

This bike still looked like a police bike.

Was he committing an offence just by riding it on the road.... probally not.

How ever if he activated the siren an attempted to pull someone over then probally yes.

I believe he still has this bike and it's still in a similar condition as when he first purchased it.