AJ1: Strange Police car?

[swindorski46]

Heading North on the M1 last night I came up behind a large Volvo saloon, with the reg number AJ1, and a red illuminated sign in the rear window which simply read "POLICE".
Other than the sign in the back it appeared to be unmarked.
The car was just cruising along at around 90 MPH, minding its own business, and didn't seem to flinch when another car eventually went past it. ( I decided that discretion was the better part of valour and merely followed the Volvo until I turned off).

Surely if it were an unmarked police car it wouldn't have a bright red sign in the back advertising the fact and equally should have pulled the brave chap who went round it, and why the need for such an expensive reg?

Equally it's a very brave move by a "Civvy" just not wanting to be overtaken!!

Any ideas?

[xxplod]

Sounds very iffy to me. I've seen all kinds of cars used as unmarked traffic cars, but never any Police vehicle with any kind of personal plate. Remote possibility it could be a chief officer's staff car, which could have some blue lights/other lighting, but with a personal plate, I'd say it was most unlikely. If you're local to the aera, I'd think about giving your local nick a ring. I've seen several instances of impersonating Officers, going as far as fitting blue lights behind grills of cars and all sorts.

[onedsla]

I thought a volvo with no head lights on following me in North Wales (A55) was strange so I slowed to let it past and saw 'Police training' written in small writing on the side of the car, and the same 'Police' sign in red in the rear window - it was white and otherwise unmarked.

[silverback mike]

I certainly don't think that was a police car.
There is no police car that I am aware of that has an index number such as that.
After all, the Chief Constable couldn't care less what registration his work car has.
And if it were his/her own car, it would not have a police sign in it.
Report it as you don't know what that person has been pretending to be, or using the Police sign to do.
Mike.

[me2]

Hi all this is my first post.
This car if it was dark blue is the one used to transport the Chief Constable [female].of North Yorkshire
Hope this helps
Peter

[swindorski46]

I think it was dark blue actually, it was dark and I didn't want to get too close, as I said it was doing around 90.

[g_attrill]

I was going to either suggest a chief constable or royal transportation. The royal family have quite a few fancy-pants plates.

I suspect the registration was donated to the police by a former chief constable or resident.

Gareth

[cptsideways]

I know a chap with a Fire sign in his car - mind you he does attend emergencies.

Could have read soemthing else maybe?

[HarryW]

If it really is the CC of N.Yorks then I think they should take a leaf out of a lot of local councils and sell the very desireable priv plate and put the proceeds to good use. What use is it to a police force anyway .

Harry

[Dwight VanDriver]

AJ1 is Della's motor.

Long history on this no plate which I know of since 1957 in fact one weekend I had the honour of driving a Humber Hawk with this on as relief Chief's driver. Oh the attention I got out on the street and when visiting Plodshops.

When cherished plates came we all chipped in and bought it for the Chief.

No grovel, grovel, bit of history is a grand thing.

DVD

[thunderace]

I followed the same car going South on the M1 a couple of weeks ago. Cruising at 90ish, illuminated police sign, followed it for approx 30 miles until I turned off towards Silverstone. A couple of other cars did edge past with no visible excitement.

[xxplod]

Aaahh! Nice to see my suspicion was right! With this in mind, you are very unlikely to be pulled for speeding by it. Can't speak for this particular force, but many focres employ civilian drivers for their chiefs. (Usually retired traffic officers). Also, chief officers aren't known for carrying a ready supply of fixed penalty notices!

[swindorski46]

Scuze ignorance, but who is Della?
I assume the CC of North Yorks?

If so isn't it a bit rich to be doing 90ish, while the rest of the population is "Expected " to do 70?

[Dwight VanDriver]

Chief Constable, North Yorkshire Police is Della CANNING an import from Blunderbuss's (N Wales) old Force, Cleveland. Thankfully she has shown none of his affliction for speed cameras everywhere,...yet.

She does have a Civilan female driver.

XXplod - this is not a lady to be messed with. On one of her night journeys in AJ1 she stopped at the scene of a fight and lifted a scroat for Public Order offence.

The role of CC means she has to be everywhere at all times, up and down M1 to Home Office included. Vehicle being used for police purposes (not just emergencies) is exempt by law from speed limits, but if anything happens then the axe can fall.

Anybody jealous - go to your local plod shop and sign on a Special Constable.

DVD

[swindorski46]

So if I sign on as a Special I can do 90?

[xxplod]

DVD - Your encouraging PHers to join the Special Constabulary is most commendable. Don't know about your force, but in mine, Specials are not allowed to stop vehicles, let alone respond or pursue anything. Although this is not true of all forces. Can't remember which force it was, up north somewhere (to me up north = north of Hampshire!) but one force was putting Specials with sufficient experience through a standard car course, on a part time basis.