Which Police stop you...?
Discussion
Dibs - Welcome back, BTW, missed you.
Perhaps you need to be more explicit. Do you mean the traditional BiB; or BTP, PCSO, VOSA, HMC&E, Sky Marshal; or any other of the growing plethora of people with "powers to stop" (variously interpreted)?
Wait a while and the "Respect Marshals" that BLiar is now proposing will arrive - in fluorescent jacket, flat cap, radio and a belt-full of equipment - to be added to the list.
Streaky
Perhaps you need to be more explicit. Do you mean the traditional BiB; or BTP, PCSO, VOSA, HMC&E, Sky Marshal; or any other of the growing plethora of people with "powers to stop" (variously interpreted)?
Wait a while and the "Respect Marshals" that BLiar is now proposing will arrive - in fluorescent jacket, flat cap, radio and a belt-full of equipment - to be added to the list.
Streaky
My experience of plod has touch wood always been fair.
Even yesterday when I was making 'progress' along a pretty empty dual carriageway on my way to a wedding. Was running pretty late and was just creeping into the 3 figures when I drew along a slip road and glanced up there to see a Trafpol coming down the sliproad. Cue some fairly heavy speed reduction from me using gears and brakes. (I was already aware that there was no-one behind me) He then followed me for a couple of miles, drew alongside and gave me the sort of look to show that I had been a naughty boy and then drove off.
Thank you Mr Policeman it was appreciated!
Even yesterday when I was making 'progress' along a pretty empty dual carriageway on my way to a wedding. Was running pretty late and was just creeping into the 3 figures when I drew along a slip road and glanced up there to see a Trafpol coming down the sliproad. Cue some fairly heavy speed reduction from me using gears and brakes. (I was already aware that there was no-one behind me) He then followed me for a couple of miles, drew alongside and gave me the sort of look to show that I had been a naughty boy and then drove off.
Thank you Mr Policeman it was appreciated!
Must be a very good girly girl 
as never been stopped ever. But then hardly see any - so that's alright then 
But on rare occasion - must be OK as do not attract attention.
But in other instances when spoken or come into contact - most experiences have been pleasant und polite - apart from the two incidents previously ranted about - WPC neighbour from hell und careless parking when on doughnut hunt.
as never been stopped ever. But then hardly see any - so that's alright then But on rare occasion - must be OK as do not attract attention. But in other instances when spoken or come into contact - most experiences have been pleasant und polite - apart from the two incidents previously ranted about - WPC neighbour from hell und careless parking when on doughnut hunt.
streaky said:
Perhaps you need to be more explicit.
I've got (pretty much) the answer I expected when I posted this thread; the general consensus seems to be that if a panda or a van driver has stopped a motorist, the "experience" isn't as "good" as if the officer was a TrafPol.
Another poster (I forget which one, sorry), posted that in general, panda drivers tended to have less service, and therefore less experience in dealing with people. Some Panda drivers also have less of an idea about "motoring matters", and are often still finding their feet. It's not unusual for a Pnada driver to be stopping cars after about 6 months' service, which may sound like a lot, but 90% of that will have either been classroom based, or with a tutor. It takes a while for everyone to evolve their own Policing style, and for some, it comes quicker than others.
Of course, there are also officers on a "power trip", but I'd have to say, they are in the minority. TrafPol usually (although not always) tend to have a bit more service, ao are more used to dealing with people in a variety of situations, and more often than not, an interest in oily things that "make progress".
I'll hold my hand up and admit that I've been guilty of being less than professional with people I've stopped, but I have improved with time.
Dibble said:
streaky said:
Perhaps you need to be more explicit.
I've got (pretty much) the answer I expected when I posted this thread; the general consensus seems to be that if a panda or a van driver has stopped a motorist, the "experience" isn't as "good" as if the officer was a TrafPol.
Another poster (I forget which one, sorry), posted that in general, panda drivers tended to have less service, and therefore less experience in dealing with people. Some Panda drivers also have less of an idea about "motoring matters", and are often still finding their feet. It's not unusual for a Pnada driver to be stopping cars after about 6 months' service, which may sound like a lot, but 90% of that will have either been classroom based, or with a tutor. It takes a while for everyone to evolve their own Policing style, and for some, it comes quicker than others.
But Liebchen - ist a job which require dealing with public und so they should be better trained
Dibble said:
Of course, there are also officers on a "power trip", but I'd have to say, they are in the minority. TrafPol usually (although not always) tend to have a bit more service, ao are more used to dealing with people in a variety of situations, and more often than not, an interest in oily things that "make progress".
In case of some people who make it to top - I would have said "slithery"
Dibble said:
I'll hold my hand up and admit that I've been guilty of being less than professional with people I've stopped, but I have improved with time.
Well I thought your handling of the menopausal or even pre-menstrual tensed up woman from hell who got all huffy with you over leaving car park without lights was just about right last year It was a classic und I thought the funniest post read on here 
Whatever you said as I recall was "wrong!"
Und you did not even fine her.... You only tried to explain why you stopped her 
und she went off on one as I recall from start. >> Edited by WildCat on Sunday 30th October 18:25
WildCat said:
But Liebchen - ist a job which require dealing with public und so they should be better trained
The problem is, the training is a more and more sausage factory nowadays - let's get more uniforms out there ASAP. There's plenty of emphasis on the various "diversity" issues (which can often seem quite patronising to anyone with half a brain).
Becuase the public want an offier there straight away, there seem to be less and less PCs learning by walking round and dealing with people.
It used to be the case that your first two years (at least) would be foot patrol (every shift, all shift, including nights). After a couple of years, you would get a driving course, and maybe even the chance to cover a Panda for an hour, while the driver had his meal break. Then you'd be back to walking the rest of the shift.
After three or four years, you might get some Panda keys, and then after another couple, maybe the plum posting of the van driver. Now, most recruits are driving straigh away.
The standard of people joining the Police has changed, IMO.
Not necessarily "worse", but less see it as the vocation it once was. Despite all our whinges, the pay's not bad, and for ex-students, 5 years in the Police can look good on the CV, and it's a quicker way to pay off a student loan.
The criteria for joining have changed, and there is less emphasis on "old fashioned" reading and writing tests. I have to say, some of the statements I've seen recently from newer officers were pretty poor.
There are also going to be times in an officer's career when they are going to be asked to do some very unpleasant things, from picking up bits of people, to being assaulted, to having to stand in the rain for 12 hours. These things all need doing, but newer recruits seem to be less willing to do these kind of jobs. I'm not suggesting they're pleasant tasks, but I do sometimes wonder what some people think they're joining when they sign up.
There's an apocryphal story about a newish officer who refused to walk on nights on their own... I didn't hear it myself, but I've no reason to believe the colleague that told me about it is lying.
Dibble said:
But Liebchen - ist a job which require dealing with public und so they should be better trained
The problem is, the training is a more and more sausage factory nowadays - let's get more uniforms out there ASAP. There's plenty of emphasis on the various "diversity" issues (which can often seem quite patronising to anyone with half a brain).
It seem to be case in nursing und teaching. Und to some extent with the doctors too. Dibble said:
Becuase the public want an offier there straight away, there seem to be less and less PCs learning by walking round and dealing with people.
It used to be the case that your first two years (at least) would be foot patrol (every shift, all shift, including nights). After a couple of years, you would get a driving course, and maybe even the chance to cover a Panda for an hour, while the driver had his meal break. Then you'd be back to walking the rest of the shift.
Und they solved more crime back then too I would bet..
Dibble said:
The standard of people joining the Police has changed, IMO.
It ist result of watered down one size fit all deferred success politically correct nonsense... 
Ist evident in all professions.
Dibble said:
Not necessarily "worse", but less see it as the vocation it once was. Despite all our whinges, the pay's not bad, and for ex-students, 5 years in the Police can look good on the CV, and it's a quicker way to pay off a student loan.
The criteria for joining have changed, and there is less emphasis on "old fashioned" reading and writing tests. I have to say, some of the statements I've seen recently from newer officers were pretty poor.[quote]
That ist bad. Ist not serving justice und in court that paperwork ist just as much on trial as the accused.
But then read in paper that teachers quit after 5 years too. Und a lot of it ist government interference, political correctness, strangulation by red tape und sheer stupidity of unrealistic targets
[quote=Dibble]
There are also going to be times in an officer's career when they are going to be asked to do some very unpleasant things, from picking up bits of people, to being assaulted, to having to stand in the rain for 12 hours. These things all need doing, but newer recruits seem to be less willing to do these kind of jobs. I'm not suggesting they're pleasant tasks, but I do sometimes wonder what some people think they're joining when they sign up.
Ist part of the job und one hopes never to have to do that but it's inevitable. At one time you never dreamed of being cheeky to officer, let alone spitting und whatever at him/her.
Should be spelled out at recruitment stage to find out suitability. Ist no job for squeamish
though Mad Doc has come across medical student afraid of blood, fainting in theatre und at sight of needles in the past. My best stop was a few years ago when my mum drove over from her home in Spain.
We were on our way to a pub for the evening when we arrived a police road block. Plod asked me (I was sitting in the right hand passenger seat)why the car had no tax. I explained that it was Spanish registered. He then asked for the insurance documents so I just gave him some Spanish papers from the glove box which he obviously could not read.
The long & short of it was that from the time he stopped us to when he let us go he never realised that he wasn't talking to the driver!!!
I wish he had stopped us on the way back from the pub - I would have had 3 - 4 pints in my by then, but still not driving.
We were on our way to a pub for the evening when we arrived a police road block. Plod asked me (I was sitting in the right hand passenger seat)why the car had no tax. I explained that it was Spanish registered. He then asked for the insurance documents so I just gave him some Spanish papers from the glove box which he obviously could not read.
The long & short of it was that from the time he stopped us to when he let us go he never realised that he wasn't talking to the driver!!!
I wish he had stopped us on the way back from the pub - I would have had 3 - 4 pints in my by then, but still not driving.
Been stopped 3 times.
First time was when I was 18 for having my front fog lights on (they were on a flick switch next to the one for the rear wiper - i'd obviously flicked the wrong one on during the day).
Explained why they were on, documents checked and let on my way.
Police verdict 10/10 - Courteous and professional the whole way through. (Panda car)
The 2nd time involved a traffic Vectra pulling me over for 36 in a 30 (although he had been following me for over 2 miles so I had been keeping just under 30 the whole way).
I was driving a Nova and had a short crew cut at the time so I think he was surprised when I got out of the car wearing a shirt and tie! Was told I was very lucky to be let off blah, blah and was told - "I speed myself on my motorbike but not when there's a f
king police car behind me!" I was then followed all the way to work.
Police rating 2/10
3rd pull involved 4 police cars and 5 policemen for going through an amber traffic light, then being booked my traffic officer who didn't even talk to me and get my side of the story. Following an official complaint I was subjected to what was bordering on police harrassment involving 5 visits from the police in 4 days and then an interview about an assault on a young woman.
Police verdict -10/10
Haven't been pulled since then (Feb 2002) despite doing over 20,000 miles a year.
First time was when I was 18 for having my front fog lights on (they were on a flick switch next to the one for the rear wiper - i'd obviously flicked the wrong one on during the day).
Explained why they were on, documents checked and let on my way.
Police verdict 10/10 - Courteous and professional the whole way through. (Panda car)
The 2nd time involved a traffic Vectra pulling me over for 36 in a 30 (although he had been following me for over 2 miles so I had been keeping just under 30 the whole way).
I was driving a Nova and had a short crew cut at the time so I think he was surprised when I got out of the car wearing a shirt and tie! Was told I was very lucky to be let off blah, blah and was told - "I speed myself on my motorbike but not when there's a f
king police car behind me!" I was then followed all the way to work. Police rating 2/10
3rd pull involved 4 police cars and 5 policemen for going through an amber traffic light, then being booked my traffic officer who didn't even talk to me and get my side of the story. Following an official complaint I was subjected to what was bordering on police harrassment involving 5 visits from the police in 4 days and then an interview about an assault on a young woman.
Police verdict -10/10
Haven't been pulled since then (Feb 2002) despite doing over 20,000 miles a year.
I was suspiciously stopped by local Kent police on a fast 30 mph section of road no less than 3 times in a month last year - curiously, about 6 months later that road was subjected to 'anti-speeding enforcement methods!' I was never caught doing anything worse than 34, and politely allowed on my way each time, so I have had no gripes on these occasions.
I was done by Met traffic police on the A2 heading towards London, not far from Bexleyheath. On this occasion, Plod was alerted to my car by 'the illumination of my mobile telephone screen' which I was using to text at the time. Unfortunately, I also wasn't belted up, so I got the usual £30 non-endorsable otherwise I'd have been off scot free and rightly so because I presented said copper with my phone and proceded to demonstrate with much insistance that not only was the phone off, but it also had no battery and would not turn on! I swear this is true, he'd been seeing things! He was quite rude and arrogant, his silent partner appearing intimidated by him, but I guess he was mostly annoyed that I'd baffled him on the phone charge.
Most recently, I was pulled by A Kent Police Plod yesterday, doing a brazen 52.4 according to his radar gun, in the pouring rain, again without a belt.
He let me off, as I'd been so apologetic and have a spotless licence, with nothing more than a 'promise you won't do it again!'
The nicest member of Her Majesty's finest I've ever met!
>> Edited by jaykaybi on Tuesday 1st November 23:32
>> Edited by jaykaybi on Tuesday 1st November 23:34
I was done by Met traffic police on the A2 heading towards London, not far from Bexleyheath. On this occasion, Plod was alerted to my car by 'the illumination of my mobile telephone screen' which I was using to text at the time. Unfortunately, I also wasn't belted up, so I got the usual £30 non-endorsable otherwise I'd have been off scot free and rightly so because I presented said copper with my phone and proceded to demonstrate with much insistance that not only was the phone off, but it also had no battery and would not turn on! I swear this is true, he'd been seeing things! He was quite rude and arrogant, his silent partner appearing intimidated by him, but I guess he was mostly annoyed that I'd baffled him on the phone charge.
Most recently, I was pulled by A Kent Police Plod yesterday, doing a brazen 52.4 according to his radar gun, in the pouring rain, again without a belt.
He let me off, as I'd been so apologetic and have a spotless licence, with nothing more than a 'promise you won't do it again!'
The nicest member of Her Majesty's finest I've ever met!
>> Edited by jaykaybi on Tuesday 1st November 23:32
>> Edited by jaykaybi on Tuesday 1st November 23:34
Was having a bit of fun one day blasting between roundabouts on a dual carriageway and generally making losts of noise and possibly breaking the speed limit. Traffic police coming onto one of the roundabouts heard and saw me go past at what looked like an illegal speed and decided to follow. By this time I was well down the road and could see in my mirror the white Omega in the distance rushing down the outside lane (no lights on though) to catch up. By this time I'd slowed down to within the limit so my only concern was if he had video footage of my earlier exhuberance.
Fully prepared to get pulled, the traffic car pulled along side, he wagged his finger at me and then went on his way. Fair enough!
breaking the speed limit. Traffic police coming onto one of the roundabouts heard and saw me go past at what looked like an illegal speed and decided to follow. By this time I was well down the road and could see in my mirror the white Omega in the distance rushing down the outside lane (no lights on though) to catch up. By this time I'd slowed down to within the limit so my only concern was if he had video footage of my earlier exhuberance. Fully prepared to get pulled, the traffic car pulled along side, he wagged his finger at me and then went on his way. Fair enough!
Never been stopped yet (since August 2003) which is fairly good luck for a teenager in a new car!
However I was doing 90 in the outside lane of the M1 which was faster than anything in the vicinity except the BMW 5 series driving right behind me. I realised it was an unmarked car due to the grill lights but luckily the officers simply waved me to the 2nd lane and wagged their fingers as they sped off!
However I was doing 90 in the outside lane of the M1 which was faster than anything in the vicinity except the BMW 5 series driving right behind me. I realised it was an unmarked car due to the grill lights but luckily the officers simply waved me to the 2nd lane and wagged their fingers as they sped off!
During the late '80s early '90s I drove the van (white company written transit) for the band, and I got stopped loads. Never been stopped by traffic, but panda's and foot seemed to take an (not unreasonable) interest. It was obviously a daytime work van being driven at silly times in the morning. Wanting to get home, so hammering it when I could but due to all the kit in the back, (and sometimes members of the band and fans who'd missed the bus etc.) I used to take some corners very gingerly and play the time it to the lights so I don't have to stop game.
I understand that this could look like erratic driving, so never got upset when stopped and was generally treated OK. I found the initial tone sometimes very aggressive, but being polite and not being up to no good seemed to work.
But this one sticks out.
On this occasion I was in the company Fiesta van, again fully sign written company logo everywhere, and a set of lights come on behind me. I pull over, and get out and this copper walks up to me looks and the van and asks "is this your veichle sir?"
Five or so facetious answers flash through my brain, but I realise it's a stock question, smile politely and explain that it isn't, so far so good, but the officer then took rhetorical to a new level.
"You do know why we've stopped you, sir?"
"...er no actually, I'm afraid I don't"
"Well, sir, this van is on the PNC as an Escort, and It's quite clearly a Fiesta."
How the f*$4 am I meant to know that? So I point out that it's a good thing he spotted me as the error could now be corrected, but oh no, he couldn't do that. He asked me to go to the local police station and get it sorted out. WTF??? I tell him I haven't got any of the vehicles details but I'll get the fleet manager to do it in the morning.
He then when into a diatribe regarding the importance of details being correct and I shouldn't be driving a vehicle with erroneous PNC details and I should get my hair cut, and whetever... (I couldn't really pay attention at this point as I was trying not piss myself laughing by now)
To top it all, my GF was in the van and had a crate of beers on her lap, and once he'd finished ranting at me he pointed at them and said "Don't drink and drive, you'll spill it", "I don't, stupid" I reply, "yeah, well like I said, you'll spill it" as he goes back to his car, like that's the most important reason. What a c0ck he was.
Now I know that he probably realised he'd gone off on one completly unreasonably, and was trying to leave on a good note, but what a dumb thing to trivialise.
Even though this one bloke was a cock, he spotted a veichle, got an itch, and checked it out, so fair play to him.
I give the police 10 points every time, I'd prefer a less patronising tone, but appreciate that the they have to deal with all types.
Oh, and my fleet manager spent the next morning making about 15 phone calls trying to find someone who gave a shit.
Stopped once for accelerating rather rapidly away from a junction while along side a panda (yea I know!) onto a national limit dual carriageway. Well within speed limit but just quick upto terminal speed. Got a talking to about such acceleration in traffic (fair enough and I drive more carefully as a result) and a producer.
10/10
10/10
I was once driving in the middle of the night, lacking pretty much every document you could lack (I was only a nipper), and I was pulled up by Trafpol.
I came clean and got an absolute bollocking from them (rightly so) and they eventually sent me on my way and told me never to do it again. And their parting words were 'don't you f*****g dare have an accident' - they had no way of getting me and the car home!
I spent a nervous six months checking the post for a summons, which never came. I certainly learned my lesson, though.
I came clean and got an absolute bollocking from them (rightly so) and they eventually sent me on my way and told me never to do it again. And their parting words were 'don't you f*****g dare have an accident' - they had no way of getting me and the car home!
I spent a nervous six months checking the post for a summons, which never came. I certainly learned my lesson, though.
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