Trafpol off duty experiences

[cuneus]

So most of us can leave work behind and largely forget about it. How do you handle this ?

Have you ever stopped anyone whilst off duty ?

[Dibble]

Arrested a drink driver about twelve months ago.

He got 15 month ban, IIRC.

Edited by Dibble on Thursday 21st June 11:24

[TonyHetherington]

Are you obliged as an off duty traffic officer to step in? Or is it a judgement call on your behalf?

[RaksP]

i thought bib are not allowed to stop and arrest you if they are off duty??

[Dibble]

TonyHetherington said:

Are you obliged as an off duty traffic officer to step in? Or is it a judgement call on your behalf?

Not TrafPol any more...

It could be argued that I am required to step in, as if I didn't, it could technically be neglect of duty.

However, if I saw four loons taking lumps out of each other with knives and bats, I'd "risk assess" that and just call 999.

As you say, a judgement call.

Cue the usual bleaters "Well the BiB never do anything when they're on duty, so why should I expect them to do anything when they're off duty?"

[TonyHetherington]

Ah I see, thanks for the reply.

So like you say - with no body protection, hand cuffs, spray etc. etc you wandering in to a big fight -no big signs saying "POLICE" on them either, your risk assement won't take long in that case I guess

Thanks :Thumbup:

[Dibble]

RaksP said:

i thought bib are not allowed to stop and arrest you if they are off duty??

If you mean stop as in stop a car, then it has to be a constable in uniform.

I have the same powers whether I'm on or off duty. If I see you committing an offence while I'm doing a "big shop" in Tesafeburyrosesons, then I can deal with it exatcly as though I was on duty, including powers of detention for stop and search, all that kind of thing.

[Don]

FishFace said:

In relation to expenses, technically they'd be coming on duty with less than 5 days notice, which = 4 hours minimum double time.

Ah the double bubble! Catch a bad'un and get rewarded for it. Nice...

[Dibble]

Don said:

FishFace said:

In relation to expenses, technically they'd be coming on duty with less than 5 days notice, which = 4 hours minimum double time.

Ah the double bubble! Catch a bad'un and get rewarded for it. Nice...

It'd depend on the situation, but I wouldn't necessarily claim.

Here's the original thread for my drink driver.

[Puggit]

Dibble said:

TonyHetherington said:

Are you obliged as an off duty traffic officer to step in? Or is it a judgement call on your behalf?

Not TrafPol any more...

It could be argued that I am required to step in, as if I didn't, it could technically be neglect of duty.

However, if I saw four loons taking lumps out of each other with knives and bats, I'd "risk assess" that and just call 999.

As you say, a judgement call.

Cue the usual bleaters "Well the BiB never do anything when they're on duty, so why should I expect them to do anything when they're off duty?"

Actually I was going to moan that you'd had all powers of judgement systematically removed by your political masters

[Brett928S2]

[quote=Dibble]

If you mean stop as in stop a car, then it has to be a constable in uniform.

quote]



Hi

Does that mean that we dont have to stop for a police car if the officers in it are NOT wearing uniforms ???

All the best Brett

Edited by Brett928S2 on Thursday 21st June 12:58

Edited by Brett928S2 on Thursday 21st June 12:58

[Dibble]

Brett928S2 said:

Dibble said:

If you mean stop as in stop a car, then it has to be a constable in uniform.

[quote]



Hi

Does that mean that we dont have to stop for a police car if the officers in it are NOT wearing uniforms ???

The actual power is s163 Road Traffic Act 1988, and it does state "in uniform".

[TonyHetherington]

Brett, I assume your question was related to undercover cars/officers?

I've often said to myself that if something with blue lights started flashing behind me to get me to pull over, especially in the Lotus, I'd be ringing 999 instantly.

[cuneus]

Interestingly most of the Police sites mention showing an identity card as a substitute for uniform and make no mention of any exceptions for a vehicle.

e.g.

http://www.mpa.gov.uk/issues/stop-search/leaflet.h...

[ipsg.glf]

Cuneus

I think there are 2 different issues here. Being stopped while in a motor vehicle and being stopped when on foot.

[cuneus]

ipsg.glf said:

Cuneus

I think there are 2 different issues here. Being stopped while in a motor vehicle and being stopped when on foot.

Er yes I agree with you and don't dispute what Dibble says either

If you read the page cited it is less than clear

[Brett928S2]

TonyHetherington said:

Brett, I assume your question was related to undercover cars/officers?

I've often said to myself that if something with blue lights started flashing behind me to get me to pull over, especially in the Lotus, I'd be ringing 999 instantly.

Hi

Yes I was thinking of undercover or anti terrorist officers in a car.....although a Gloch pointed at me might persuade me lol...

The point about blue lights is more of a problem.....the kids with green lights etc under their cars etc can now buy both BLUE headlight bulbs and Blue sidelight bulbs....it would be typical of them to wire in a flasher circuit...

I am not sure I would stop without ringing 999 first...

All the best Brett

[tigger1]

I would stop, but then react based on the behaviour of the person getting out of the car - based on how they parked (behind / in front of me?), how they approached my vehicle, what they were carrying.

I'd not get out of my vehicle, and the first thing I would say to one if they got near enough would be to get their name / number and ring a station for an id.