£100 fine strange cops

[Marty Dolomite]

Originally Posted by green van man

You really think so, the experiace of my youth, admittedly a long time ago, and my current observation of the petty small mindedness of SOME plod today tell me it is more than possible it is highly likely.
You have been very fortunate to of not encountered such behaviour.
As in all walks of life there are good and bad. I know of one police officer whom even his friends say should not be in the force, total Hitler complex. When faced with him and he's decided your the one he's making an example of there's a heap of greif headed your way, then watch the ranks close if you complain.
Me, life experience has taught me, treat them with respect but NEVER trust them.
Paul.

I know so, the only officers that can issue a prohibition (PG9) are trained vehicle examiners. I believe class 2 or higher grade, and in most cases are qualified mechanics and only cars with defects that can cause a danger or hindrance to other road users can be issued with a prohibition and very few cars are issued with them due to the masses of paperwork it causes and the fact most forces only have one or two examiners on shift at any one time and they are usually busy dealing with serious incidents.
In rare cases a regular police officer can issue a PG9 but this requires permission from the chief constable and takes a lot of time, paperwork and hassle so they don't bother.
If a police officer wrongly has a vehicle impounded (say for having paint overspray) then on appeal by the driver the police will have to pay all the costs and that officer will get a serious roasting and a lot of shifts walking in dodgy neighbourhoods so do you really thing they would risk that?

[Bill_56]

Originally Posted by Marty Dolomite

I know so, the only officers that can issue a prohibition (PG9) are trained vehicle examiners. I believe class 2 or higher grade, and in most cases are qualified mechanics and only cars with defects that can cause a danger or hindrance to other road users can be issued with a prohibition and very few cars are issued with them due to the masses of paperwork it causes and the fact most forces only have one or two examiners on shift at any one time and they are usually busy dealing with serious incidents.
In rare cases a regular police officer can issue a PG9 but this requires permission from the chief constable and takes a lot of time, paperwork and hassle so they don't bother.
If a police officer wrongly has a vehicle impounded (say for having paint overspray) then on appeal by the driver the police will have to pay all the costs and that officer will get a serious roasting and a lot of shifts walking in dodgy neighbourhoods so do you really thing they would risk that?

Moreover, in the unlikely event that a corrupt police officer was going to falsely accuse a motorist, surely he would falsely accuse the motorist of something that was actually illegal, like inadequate tyre treads, or obscured number plates or obscured windscreens?

Why on Earth would a corrupt police officer, unbounded by honesty, 'blow his own cover' by issuing a prohibition for something that's not even illegal?

[green van man]

Originally Posted by Bill_56

Moreover, in the unlikely event that a corrupt police officer was going to falsely accuse a motorist, surely he would falsely accuse the motorist of something that was actually illegal, like inadequate tyre treads, or obscured number plates or obscured windscreens?

Why on Earth would a corrupt police officer, unbounded by honesty, 'blow his own cover' by issuing a prohibition for something that's not even illegal?

You believed what you want, I have seen unmarked patrol car stopped across entrance road to housing site blocking junction with no lights on in order to catch drivers coming over the brow of hill where limit drops from 40 to30. The officer driving it is renown in the area for sneaky tricks and intimidating young drivers.
In my youth can across more than a few bent ones, plant and pull being very common, perjury in court over behind over the line at stop junction, numerous speeding tickets lost for favours. It was not a joke when we said they were as bent as a nine job note.
Recently a work colleague bullied to accept points and fine rather than fine and speed awareness course, as was his right. Another the victim of a personal vendetta by local Sargent over family dispute.
As I say you believed what you want, convince yourself every thing in the garden is rosey, I'll live in the real world and not trust the buggers further than I can throw them whilst always being respectful to them. They are not all bent but I do not know who the straight ones are, do you?
Paul.

[Marty Dolomite]

Originally Posted by green van man

. They are not all bent but I do not know who the straight ones are, do you?
Paul.

Yes and the bent ones get grassed up by the good coppers and the sensible members of the public and they then get booted out of the force.
I have reported officers that have acted incorrectly and they have been dealt with, I have a copy of a scathing email sent out by James Peglar who was at the time in charge of Fratton ARV's after two of his officers acted in a non professional manne, their attitudes had noticeable altered the next time I saw them.

[tommyweaves]

My first interaction with the law:

1990, 21 years old, driving up in to London on the A23, bloke in front stands on his brakes as he'd not been paying attention to the traffic in front of him, and I run into the back of him. No-one hurt, all cars repairable.

Plod turns up, takes 2 minutes to look at the situation then comes to me and says, and I quote this verbatim: "We're gonna do you for this". What sort of phrase is that from a professional police officer?! Hardly one that's going to gain respect from the public.

Anyway, summons came through from Croydon Magistrates Court to answer a charge of driving without due care and attention. Now, I knew they wouldn't accept any kind of defense from me so it was going to be a guilty outcome. But in those days, as a result of my upbringing, I naively felt it my duty to take time off work to go to court and answer the charge in person and indeed plead guilty in person.

Well, the three blue-rinse magistrates looked at me like I was total scum and how dare I plead guilty in person rather than by post. I was fined £150 and given 5 points. They then asked me how I wanted to pay, I asked them what options I had and they basically said "Well you must have known you were going to be fined, didn't you bring your chequebook with you?"

That single experience with the police and local magistrates changed my view from "Respect" to "F*ck you all". It's not changed since.

[S60D5-185]

Originally Posted by tommyweaves

My first interaction with the law:

1990, 21 years old, driving up in to London on the A23, bloke in front stands on his brakes as he'd not been paying attention to the traffic in front of him, and I run into the back of him. No-one hurt, all cars repairable.

That single experience with the police and local magistrates changed my view from "Respect" to "F*ck you all". It's not changed since.

Well Tommy, certainly a Novel approach on the apportionment of Blame for the accident occurring.

I can see now why you felt everyone involved in the entire incident from beginning to end was being unfair to you.

[tommyweaves]

Originally Posted by S60D5-185

Well Tommy, certainly a Novel approach on the apportionment of Blame for the accident occurring.

I can see now why you felt everyone involved in the entire incident from beginning to end was being unfair to you.

LOL, I never said anyone was being unfair, I was trying to convey how it's the attitude and manner of police and judges that can have a lasting effect!

It was a boring story anyway, maybe I should have made one up instead

[wimorrison]

Originally Posted by tommyweaves

LOL, I never said anyone was being unfair, I was trying to convey how it's the attitude and manner of police and judges that can have a lasting effect!

It was a boring story anyway, maybe I should have made one up instead

It was also almost 25 tears ago and I am sure that your exact recollection of the events has been tinged by the feelings of grievance that you clearly still have

[tommyweaves]

Originally Posted by wimorrison

25 tears ago

Is that a Freudian slip?!

It's not that I felt aggrieved by the result, it was a wake up call, as a youngster, to the reality of life, that the idealistic view of the police and the legal system as a perfect entity was misguided!

[Bill_56]

I also had an encounter with traffic police, age 21.

Travelling down the A1(M), still not sure what really happened but I was as I passed a junction I moved out into the centre lane to allow another car to join but for some reason he drifted right across into the centre lane. Clearly I was driving too fast however as, when I swerved to avoid him, I lost control. Fishtailed for a while, then spun into the crash barrier, then pirouetted a few times more before coming to rest, leaping from the the car and running for dear life to the hard shoulder

By the time police arrived, several more cars had crashed into the wreckage. Upshot was mob-handed attendance by five motorway police cars as they had to close the motorway, plus a fire engine and an ambulance, though thankfully nobody was hurt.

I expected the police to tear me to ribbons, but not a bit of it. I was given the option of making a statement - they told it was not compulsory at the scene, but it was suggested that doing so would be seen as helpful, so I agreed. First thing he noticed, from seeing my driving licence, was it was the day before my birthday, he expressed sympathies. He then guided me through the statement in a way that, with hindsight, may have avoided me 'dropping myself in it'.

They drove me back to next town in their SD1, we chatted in a friendly way about the toys such as Vascar. He warned me a report would have to be submitted for possible prosecution but pleased to say no charges ever followed.