The sorry state of (some) policing.

Pedro · 21-06-2016, 11:29 PM

For the first time since 2005 I had dialog with a Qld police officer.

I'd left home to drive down the street to pick up a take-away. There is a T junction at the end of my street and a high rise has just commenced construction there. The blank hoardings around the site severely restrict vision of traffic approaching from the 50 m long road on the right. I looked left, and seeing no light glow from the right, proceeded into my right-hand turn. Half way out I saw headlights on the right side so accelerated across the road to make sure there was no chance of a collision. I noticed it was a police car and continued on around the next corner and pulled up outside the pizza place.

Officer plod pulled up behind with lights flashing. I'm alighting from my car and he says "step out of your car driver," and follows with "do you have any excuse for speeding through that intersection?"

"I wasn't speeding, I was just getting out of your way and my vision was restricted by the dangerously placed hoardings that have only recently been installed" I replied.

Plod pulls out his tablet and checks my record ... "You've been booked quite a few times for speeding" he says. "The last time was 2005!" I replied, "so what does that tell you?"

"You are a serial speeder" he replied.

"Anyone with a remote understanding of actions and consequences would congratulate me and feel a sense of achievement that the 'every K over is a killer' TV campaign has had an impact". I replied.

This officer then started to lecture me on the consequences of speeding blah blah. I asked him if he was familiar with the statistics on the Qld. Govt. website that states that the majority of fatalities are caused by inattention and fatigue and asked if he had been briefed on this statistic and if so what prevention measures had he been asked to undertake.

He inferred my remark was somewhat flippant and announced I was free to go.

I mean WTF!!! He's probably a good guy but brainwashed by the system he works for.

4vxc · 22-06-2016, 12:01 AM

Nice, lucky he didn't book you on some hoon charge after baffling him with that. I I doubt he is a good guy.

Yellow_Festiva · 22-06-2016, 12:57 PM

Should have offered him a slice or two....

malazn mafia · 22-06-2016, 01:24 PM

Always thought the school bullies grew up to become police officers assigned to traffic duties. But anyway, in suburbia fair enough, there's no real reason to exceed the speed limit, and at least he gave a warning instead. My major gripe with the whole system is having police resources dedicated to policing straight sections of dual carriageway 110kph highways at 2am in the morning, where that extra 5 to 10kph (or more) actually gives a huge advantage in getting to your destination in a time efficient manner.

Ben73 · 22-06-2016, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

Always thought the school bullies grew up to become police officers assigned to traffic duties. But anyway, in suburbia fair enough, there's no real reason to exceed the speed limit, and at least he gave a warning instead.

Hard to break the speed limit when turning right from a standstill.

Big_Daz · 22-06-2016, 03:18 PM

Its funny, 2 of my best mates are Qld Police - One in general duties and one in CERT and apparently Traffic Police are not well likes by the rest of the force...lol...

castellan · 23-06-2016, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big_Daz

Its funny, 2 of my best mates are Qld Police - One in general duties and one in CERT and apparently Traffic Police are not well likes by the rest of the force...lol...

That's true but, hey the Gov are the ones who have power to push on such things in what they want and that's part of the job you are payed to do, fact is no one is payed to be liked in any position.

Road_Warrior · 23-06-2016, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big_Daz

Its funny, 2 of my best mates are Qld Police - One in general duties and one in CERT and apparently Traffic Police are not well likes by the rest of the force...lol...

This is true in other parts of the country as well.

b0son · 22-06-2016, 03:57 PM

The best move the police could make, if they want to build a better rapport with the public, is to jettison the HWP division. Make them part of the roads authority rather than police.

Most peoples dealings with police are coloured by their interactions with the HWP and makes them less likely to be helpful/cooperative/etc in other matters.

falconhell74 · 22-06-2016, 03:59 PM

There used to be a lovely police officer years ago in Bunderberg he was that well liked he had to move to Mackay. He grew up in Bundy and obviously loved his dad as he used to wait around at cane farming time to catch his dear old dad crossing the road between his property in his unregistered tractor just so he could book him.
He was then that well liked in Mackay especially by truck drivers as he had a thing for trucks , that some lovely person new his home address and plastered it all over facebook .
Morel of this true story is .....You can run from your actions but you cant hide from them....

**M&Ms** · 22-06-2016, 07:12 PM

I have the utmost respect for police officers. Having said that, I do not consider the highway patrol as being police officers, but just a bunch of lowly, ego driven, hoon maniacs in uniform funded by the state.

Bill M · 23-06-2016, 12:56 AM

Lucky you don't live in WA with the new 1 strike legislation coming up

castellan · 23-06-2016, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M&Ms

I have the utmost respect for police officers. Having said that, I do not consider the highway patrol as being police officers, but just a bunch of lowly, ego driven, hoon maniacs in uniform funded by the state.

Hey ! I was in the Highway Patrol.
Not fair koala Bear !
Sure so maybe I bashed a full on bad mongrel within an inch of his life for having a go at me and threating to kill people who I love, and I get called the maniac.
He stepped over the line and got a lesson in diplomacy.

Franco Cozzo · 23-06-2016, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by castellan

Hey ! I was in the Highway Patrol.
Not fair koala Bear !
Sure so maybe I bashed a full on bad mongrel within an inch of his life for having a go at me and threating to kill people who I love, and I get called the maniac.
He stepped over the line and got a lesson in diplomacy.

Where the uniforms designed by Hugo Boss?

castellan · 23-06-2016, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Where the uniforms designed by Hugo Boss?

No I am Sheriff Rossco P Coltrane, but look more like Uncle Jesse nowadays are you Boss Hogg, Big Damo bro.

buggo · 23-06-2016, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by castellan

Hey ! I was in the Highway Patrol.
Not fair koala Bear !
Sure so maybe I bashed a full on bad mongrel within an inch of his life for having a go at me and threating to kill people who I love, and I get called the maniac.
He stepped over the line and got a lesson in diplomacy.

I really hope that's a joke

Tassie f100 · 23-06-2016, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buggo

I really hope that's a joke

If he really was a HWP cop he's probably not joking.That is the disrespect for law that these cops have.

buggo · 23-06-2016, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tassie f100

If he really was a HWP cop he's probably not joking.That is the disrespect for law that these cops have.

If it is true, and I hope it's not, than Castellan you are an absolute disgusting piece of ****.

**GasoLane** · 23-06-2016, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M&Ms

I have the utmost respect for police officers. Having said that, I do not consider the highway patrol as being police officers, but just a bunch of lowly, ego driven, hoon maniacs in uniform funded by the state.

Anyone who's owned a Scanner and listened to Police bands will tell you that HP think that they're not the same Police force as GD.

joolz · 24-07-2016, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M&Ms

I have the utmost respect for police officers. Having said that, I do not consider the highway patrol as being police officers, but just a bunch of lowly, ego driven, hoon maniacs in uniform funded by the state.

Then they make a tv series about them to boost their ego's even more!

blackf6 · 21-07-2016, 04:20 PM

Last few times I stuffed up, and got caught. Nothing. I think it's all in your attitude.

Mercury Bullet · 21-07-2016, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackf6

Last few times I stuffed up, and got caught. Nothing. I think it's all in your attitude.

Yep, I've never had a problem with them. I always get out of the car to talk to them and I'm always polite and friendly and will NEVER argue with them, even if I think I'm right.
I've been pulled over doing some pretty high speeds (160+) and been honest, worst fine I copped was 129 in a 110. They won't let you off for that but have been lenient.
If you start arguing with them, be prepared to have the book thrown at you.

Pepscobra · 21-07-2016, 05:31 PM

I think there's a general disrespect for police officers and this thread just proves it.
They are doing a job... a tough job... and every day society makes their job even harder.
Ever wondered why less and less people are wanting to join the forces?
If it was me, I would have politely apologised for the indiscretion and kept my mouth shut after that. He doesn't need to be lectured, I'm sure he knows a great deal more about the law than you.

mike_nofx · 21-07-2016, 05:32 PM

As for "speeding through an intersection", was he claiming you exceeded the limit or that you were just using excessive speed for the maneuver?

Pedro · 22-07-2016, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

As for "speeding through an intersection", was he claiming you exceeded the limit or that you were just using excessive speed for the maneuver?

The latter I think.

STINKY NINJA · 21-07-2016, 07:47 PM

Just like everyday people,some good some are bad,mostly good though

Don't be cheeky/argumentative and you will be ok.

mike_nofx · 21-07-2016, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STINKY NINJA

Just like everyday people,some good some are bad,mostly good though

Don't be cheeky/argumentative and you will be ok.

Define being ok. Are you saying you will be let off, or that you just wont make things worse?

Not sure about WA but NSW and QLD highway patrol wont let you off a ticket just because you were nice to them.

Tassie f100 · 21-07-2016, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

Define being ok. Are you saying you will be let off, or that you just wont make things worse?

Not sure about WA but NSW and QLD highway patrol wont let you off a ticket just because you were nice to them.

I think most regular cops are generally alright and can see reason But most HWP coppers are S.A,s full of their own self importance and get no respect at all from me and most other people including regular cops

Mercury Bullet · 22-07-2016, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

Define being ok. Are you saying you will be let off, or that you just wont make things worse?

Not sure about WA but NSW and QLD highway patrol wont let you off a ticket just because you were nice to them.

Don't ever expect to be let off if you've done the wrong thing.
Just don't get argumentative, it will make things worse.

They are humans, yes there are bad ones out there. Suck it up.
If they are out of bounds take it up with the station sergeant afterwards.

Trust me, sergeants don't want bad coppers working under them.
They don't want more paperwork.

STINKY NINJA · 23-07-2016, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

Define being ok. Are you saying you will be let off, or that you just wont make things worse?

Not sure about WA but NSW and QLD highway patrol wont let you off a ticket just because you were nice to them.

I guess im saying both of those things which would also be common sense wouldn't it?
Don't be a clown when you get pulled over and things most likely wont get worse for you or you may get let off.
Im not speculating,this is from my personal experience living in perth,wa.