Pulled by the Transport Police!!!!! Q for the BIBs
Discussion
Going home late last night following a British Transport Police car. I followed him at 35 in a 30, 45 in a 40 and finally when we got to dual carriageway I got fed up and overtook him at around 75. Half a mile later, on go the blues and I pull over. Up he toddles and it goes like this:
Me: Yes?
Him: I was doing 70 back there and you overtook me so you must have been speeding.
Me: That would seem the case, but you are a British Transport officer and when I last looked I wasn't driving a train.
Him: If I was a traffic officer I could have given you a ticket.
Me: If you had been, I wouldn't have overtaken you would I? As you aren't, I think the only ticket you can give me is a super saver return. Now if there's nothing else I'm going. Oh and by the way, your front N/S headlamp is out so watch you don't get a ticket.
My only question is, was he allowed to stop me?
Me: Yes?
Him: I was doing 70 back there and you overtook me so you must have been speeding.
Me: That would seem the case, but you are a British Transport officer and when I last looked I wasn't driving a train.
Him: If I was a traffic officer I could have given you a ticket.
Me: If you had been, I wouldn't have overtaken you would I? As you aren't, I think the only ticket you can give me is a super saver return. Now if there's nothing else I'm going. Oh and by the way, your front N/S headlamp is out so watch you don't get a ticket.
My only question is, was he allowed to stop me?
This has cropped up before SC and I would agree if when he joined the BTP he was sworn in as a Special Constable. In doing so he is allocated the powers of a PC.
But, as I understand it, BTP Officers only have authority on such matters on BTP Property and road adjoining stations. So it would appear he did not have authority to stop and which is why the drivers wasn't reported for anything?
They obviously have the same powers as a citizen in relation to arrestable offences.
But how was the driver to know BTP until stopped, other than BTP livery which may be hard to see at night?
DVD
>> Edited by Dwight VanDriver on Tuesday 8th February 14:23
But, as I understand it, BTP Officers only have authority on such matters on BTP Property and road adjoining stations. So it would appear he did not have authority to stop and which is why the drivers wasn't reported for anything?
They obviously have the same powers as a citizen in relation to arrestable offences.
But how was the driver to know BTP until stopped, other than BTP livery which may be hard to see at night?
DVD
>> Edited by Dwight VanDriver on Tuesday 8th February 14:23
Dwight VanDriver said:
This has cropped up before SC and I would agree if when he joined the BTP he was sworn in as a Special Constable. In doing so he is allocated the powers of a PC.
But, as I understand it, BTP Officers only have authority on such matters on BTP Property and road adjoining stations. So it would appear he did not have authority to stop and which is why the drivers wasn't reported for anything?
They obviously have the same powers as a citizen in relation to arrestable offences.
But how was the driver to know BTP until stopped, other than BTP livery which may be hard to see at night?
DVD
>> Edited by Dwight VanDriver on Tuesday 8th February 14:23
Does that mean that he was "Impersonating a Police Officer" ?
Whilst looks very close maybe but I don't think so. Exercising a power as a Police Officer (BTP} he did not have?
A bit like under Section 67 RTA 88 - testing the condition of a motor vehicle on a road in relation to -
con and use requirements and
requirements that vehicle is not in such condition as likely to cause danger
can only be done by an authorised examiner. If BiB not so authorised by his Chief Constable cannot do. (But can do so and evidence accepted if driver (defendant) co-operative.
DVD
A bit like under Section 67 RTA 88 - testing the condition of a motor vehicle on a road in relation to -
con and use requirements and
requirements that vehicle is not in such condition as likely to cause danger
can only be done by an authorised examiner. If BiB not so authorised by his Chief Constable cannot do. (But can do so and evidence accepted if driver (defendant) co-operative.
DVD
Streetcop said:
Whilst I don't approve of your cheek to the officer.....I also think, that if he wanted to be a regular BiB or trafol, he shouldn't have joined BTP.
As for stopping you. Yes, he has the power, as he's holds the rank of constable.
Jesus Streetcop blueyes was very polite in comparison to what I would have said to him. British transport police are muppets and have the same status as alcoholics, transvestites and punch and judy puppeteers.
nonegreen said:
Jesus Streetcop blueyes was very polite in comparison to what I would have said to him. British transport police are muppets and have the same status as alcoholics, transvestites and punch and judy puppeteers.
I know that's tongue-in-cheek, but the BTP officer is what your wife/girlfriend/mother/sister/daughter would run to on a train or railway station, if in danger..
Streetcop said:
Jesus Streetcop blueyes was very polite in comparison to what I would have said to him. British transport police are muppets and have the same status as alcoholics, transvestites and punch and judy puppeteers.
I know that's tongue-in-cheek, but the BTP officer is what your wife/girlfriend/mother/sister/daughter would run to on a train or railway station, if in danger..
You have obviously never met my Mother.
No really don't be scared, be absolutely terrified. As for my ex
on a more serious note your comment does invite the polite enquiry "As you are meant to be on trains and station platforms beating up thugs, WTF are you doing trying to follow me?"
nonegreen said:
on a more serious note your comment does invite the polite enquiry "As you are meant to be on trains and station platforms beating up thugs, WTF are you doing trying to follow me?"
He was following and then overtook them not the other way around.
BTP Police stations tend to be quite a long way from each other and getting to an incident or back to a (BTP) station is not always practical by the Rail Network particularly late at night. I gather that dragging handcuffed drunken nutters back to the nick on a crowded train can also be unpopular with the travelling public.
>> Edited by rustybin on Tuesday 8th February 17:24
rustybin said:
on a more serious note your comment does invite the polite enquiry "As you are meant to be on trains and station platforms beating up thugs, WTF are you doing trying to follow me?"
He was following and then overtook them not the other way around.
BTP Police stations tend to be quite a long way from each other and getting to an incident or back to a (BTP) station is not always practical by the Rail Network particularly late at night. I gather that dragging handcuffed drunken nutters back to the nick on a crowded train can also be unpopular with the travelling public.
>> Edited by rustybin on Tuesday 8th February 17:24
I think there is a problem with image here. Airport police for example exibit an air of authority, granted this is often backed up by the automatic they are clutching with the safety catch swiched to off but it may also be to do with the fact that they are regular cops attached to the airport. The BTP seem to me to be lacking in the image stakes. They drive shitty cars and they look like desperate Dan. You look at them and think yeah, If I want to get away I will have no difficulty they must live at Macdonalds. Also when you drive a car your number clearly identifies who you are. Piss heads on public transport just identify themselves as Micky mouse then do a runner whenever they please and the BTP can do nothing about it in most cases, hence I regard them as losers working for a 2nd rate transport system with no authority. This may be the wrong perception but thats what most people probably think. IMO
nonegreen said:
I think there is a problem with image here. Airport police for example exibit an air of authority, granted this is often backed up by the automatic they are clutching with the safety catch swiched to off but it may also be to do with the fact that they are regular cops attached to the airport. The BTP seem to me to be lacking in the image stakes. They drive shitty cars and they look like desperate Dan. You look at them and think yeah, If I want to get away I will have no difficulty they must live at Macdonalds. Also when you drive a car your number clearly identifies who you are. Piss heads on public transport just identify themselves as Micky mouse then do a runner whenever they please and the BTP can do nothing about it in most cases, hence I regard them as losers working for a 2nd rate transport system with no authority. This may be the wrong perception but thats what most people probably think. IMO
I agree but perhaps another way of looking at it is to see them as people working to do a difficult job whilst under funded, inappropriately supported and under empowered (horrible word but couldn't think of an alternative) rather than branding them as 'no better than alcoholics'.
Playing on the wrong pitch doesn't help their cause though.
rustybin said:
I think there is a problem with image here. Airport police for example exibit an air of authority, granted this is often backed up by the automatic they are clutching with the safety catch swiched to off but it may also be to do with the fact that they are regular cops attached to the airport. The BTP seem to me to be lacking in the image stakes. They drive shitty cars and they look like desperate Dan. You look at them and think yeah, If I want to get away I will have no difficulty they must live at Macdonalds. Also when you drive a car your number clearly identifies who you are. Piss heads on public transport just identify themselves as Micky mouse then do a runner whenever they please and the BTP can do nothing about it in most cases, hence I regard them as losers working for a 2nd rate transport system with no authority. This may be the wrong perception but thats what most people probably think. IMO
I agree but perhaps another way of looking at it is to see them as people working to do a difficult job whilst under funded, inappropriately supported and under empowered (horrible word but couldn't think of an alternative) rather than branding them as 'no better than alcoholics'.
Playing on the wrong pitch doesn't help their cause though.
Actually I am predjudiced, I have to confess to sacking a former BTP officer a few years ago. He was an alcoholic and a big tub of lard who attacked a customer on work premises. He subsequently sent me death threats and even tried to claim unfair dismissal so I kind of probably have a few preconceptions, perhaps.
nonegreen said:It's your own fault for employing a Chief Inspector.
nonegreen said:
I think there is a problem with image here. Airport police for example exibit an air of authority, granted this is often backed up by the automatic they are clutching with the safety catch swiched to off but it may also be to do with the fact that they are regular cops attached to the airport. The BTP seem to me to be lacking in the image stakes. They drive shitty cars and they look like desperate Dan. You look at them and think yeah, If I want to get away I will have no difficulty they must live at Macdonalds. Also when you drive a car your number clearly identifies who you are. Piss heads on public transport just identify themselves as Micky mouse then do a runner whenever they please and the BTP can do nothing about it in most cases, hence I regard them as losers working for a 2nd rate transport system with no authority. This may be the wrong perception but thats what most people probably think. IMO
I agree but perhaps another way of looking at it is to see them as people working to do a difficult job whilst under funded, inappropriately supported and under empowered (horrible word but couldn't think of an alternative) rather than branding them as 'no better than alcoholics'.
Playing on the wrong pitch doesn't help their cause though.
Actually I am predjudiced, I have to confess to sacking a former BTP officer a few years ago. He was an alcoholic and a big tub of lard who attacked a customer on work premises. He subsequently sent me death threats and even tried to claim unfair dismissal so I kind of probably have a few preconceptions, perhaps.
nonegreen said:
on a more serious note your comment does invite the polite enquiry "As you are meant to be on trains and station platforms beating up thugs, WTF are you doing trying to follow me?"
They give them cars to get between stations quickly...
Can't trust the railway timetables, can they..?
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