uniforms in unmarked cars
Discussion
bluepolarbear said:
[quote=who me ?]Seeing a lot about an increase in unmarked cars of late.Know there are times when only "an officer in uniform " can act. How about unmarked cars.
The office in the unmarked car will be in uniform.
[/quote]
So - if he/she/is not ??(Waiting for VH is like waiting for a no 9 bus)
not applicable said:
The car being marked or unmarked in irrelevant - legislation states that an 'officer in uniform' may stop any vehicle.
Lets put the question again ,so as to prevent any bright sparks getting ideas ---"CAN AN OFFICER IN PLAIN CLOTHES BE DEPENDED ON TO BE COMPETANT TO STOP A VEHICLE"
vAN -THANKS , recent incident , i passed 4x4 , tailgaiting small car( or that was my appreciation) so i passed both ,accelerating to 80 ,for a safe pass. A mile later having slowed down to a more respectable pace, he caught up ,with blue lights so i stopped to get acid lectire about doing 80 ( possibly his closing speed) ,but he was in unmarked car, and not in uniform --hence question -
who me said:
vAN -THANKS , recent incident , i passed 4x4 , tailgaiting small car( or that was my appreciation) so i passed both ,accelerating to 80 ,for a safe pass. A mile later having slowed down to a more respectable pace, he caught up ,with blue lights so i stopped to get acid lectire about doing 80 ( possibly his closing speed) ,but he was in unmarked car, and not in uniform --hence question -
I guess it's quite hard to decide that the person in the car behind doesn't have a uniform on from one's rear view mirror. So if you dont stop in those circs (as seems to be a leagl ooption here), what does the un-uniformed officer do? Does it turn into a chase, or does the occifer think, "fair enough, no uniform, just turn off me lights an go on me merry way"?
Could you ue it as a defence for failing to stop? Couldnt see a uniform on the driver? BTW How is "uniform" defined in law?
Graham
gridgway said:
who me said:
vAN -THANKS , recent incident , i passed 4x4 , tailgaiting small car( or that was my appreciation) so i passed both ,accelerating to 80 ,for a safe pass. A mile later having slowed down to a more respectable pace, he caught up ,with blue lights so i stopped to get acid lectire about doing 80 ( possibly his closing speed) ,but he was in unmarked car, and not in uniform --hence question -
I guess it's quite hard to decide that the person in the car behind doesn't have a uniform on from one's rear view mirror. So if you dont stop in those circs (as seems to be a leagl ooption here), what does the un-uniformed officer do? Does it turn into a chase, or does the occifer think, "fair enough, no uniform, just turn off me lights an go on me merry way"?
Could you ue it as a defence for failing to stop? Couldnt see a uniform on the driver? BTW How is "uniform" defined in law?
Graham
Ultimately it's down to the court to decide if you have failed to stop for Police.
If they are in uniform in an unmarked car that is equipped with blue lights etc, you may find that difficult.
Only in exceptional circumstances should an unmarked, non blues & twos equipped vehicle be attempting to stop vehicles without marked assistance.
Unmarked with blues & twos can & will though.
If you are thinking "hat" etc for uniform, then no it doesn't have to be worn.
You being able to actually see the uniform in a marked car is about the same likelyhood as in an unmarked.
If they are in uniform, whether you can see it or not & you don't stop, then you are going to potentially have problems.
Edited by vonhosen on Saturday 24th February 12:42
gridgway said:
he caught up ,with blue lights so i stopped to get acid lectire about doing 80 ( possibly his closing speed) ,but he was in unmarked car, and not in uniform --hence question
If he had the blue lights on, then you have identified him as a police officer and therefore would be required to stop. If you were to argue that you didn't see the blue lights flashing away behind they would get you for undue care.
gridgway said:
But the blues are irrelevant (as is the markedness of the car) as I see it. It's the presence of a policeman in uniform that is key surely?
Graham
Graham
As far as the offence is concerned.
You don't have to be able to see the uniform (though the officer must be in it), but you must be aware of the requirement to stop.
Edited by vonhosen on Saturday 24th February 14:35
kenp said:
So if you stop because the car behind is flashing blues and a chap in civvies gets out, you are entitled to drive off?
Yes, technically - but don't be surprised if you end up with 4 marked T5's 'encouraging' you to stop
.... if not then I'd be ringing 999 for help !
Edited by so8 on Saturday 24th February 23:46
Edited by so8 on Saturday 24th February 23:49
vonhosen said:
gridgway said:
who me said:
vAN -THANKS , recent incident , i passed 4x4 , tailgaiting small car( or that was my appreciation) so i passed both ,accelerating to 80 ,for a safe pass. A mile later having slowed down to a more respectable pace, he caught up ,with blue lights so i stopped to get acid lectire about doing 80 ( possibly his closing speed) ,but he was in unmarked car, and not in uniform --hence question -
I guess it's quite hard to decide that the person in the car behind doesn't have a uniform on from one's rear view mirror. So if you dont stop in those circs (as seems to be a leagl ooption here), what does the un-uniformed officer do? Does it turn into a chase, or does the occifer think, "fair enough, no uniform, just turn off me lights an go on me merry way"?
Could you ue it as a defence for failing to stop? Couldnt see a uniform on the driver? BTW How is "uniform" defined in law?
Graham
Ultimately it's down to the court to decide if you have failed to stop for Police.
If they are in uniform in an unmarked car that is equipped with blue lights etc, you may find that difficult.
Only in exceptional circumstances should an unmarked, non blues & twos equipped vehicle be attempting to stop vehicles without marked assistance.
Unmarked with blues & twos can & will though.
If you are thinking "hat" etc for uniform, then no it doesn't have to be worn.
You being able to actually see the uniform in a marked car is about the same likelyhood as in an unmarked.
If they are in uniform, whether you can see it or not & you don't stop, then you are going to potentially have problems.
Edited by vonhosen on Saturday 24th February 12:42
The ones I see in the unmarked usually wear their crisp white, nicely pressed shirt with those dark shoulder pads - which identify officer as part of their Force
.. und they also wear a tie as well.. und they have that fluorescent thing which say POLICE OFFICER on the back as well. Their hat ist usually on the back seat .. und I think they mostly leave it there anyway Forums | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff