Double Standards

[Jessam]

Having been sent my NIP by the local tax collector I decided to visit the scene of the crime, as the location of the junction given on the NIP didn't exist. Can you imagine my sheer horror on visiting the area to find the camera van parked up on a bus stop on double yellow lines catching more motorists out and probable still giving out NIPs with the wrong location.
Come on boys if your going to enforce the rules you should play by them, or is it one law one....

Jessam

[MajorPart]

Take a picture, report it to Cheif, the Council Chief and the local MP. If all fails give it to the papers explaining the situ.

Getting off with the ticket is the hardest bit if you make a complaint about it and in court ask them under oath where they were sitting..

>> Edited by MajorPart on Thursday 3rd June 23:59

[WMHV70]

Vehicles used for Police purposes have certain exemptions in law, including exceeding speed limits, going through red lights, and waiting where waiting is normally prohibited.

Just for info, really. Not suggesting they're (morally or legally) right to park there.

[icamm]

WMHV70 said:

Vehicles used for Police purposes have certain exemptions in law, including exceeding speed limits, going through red lights, and waiting where waiting is normally prohibited. Just for info, really. Not suggesting they're (morally or legally) right to park there.

True but I don't think this applies to camera vans. Double yellow lines means that it is unsafe to park so a camera van should not be there. Don't forget that they are not police vehicles. They are owned and run by the scamera partnerships.

[MajorPart]

Yup thats true, and like the ones up here they are sometimes staffed by Civi's.

Hmm.. I've heard of two officers getting thier fingers burnt when they stopped off for fish n chips before thier refreshment time. They had stopped the van on double yellows 3 yards from a traffic lights taking up the right turn side of a one way street.

Picture taken, complaint made by a taxi driver. A Phone call made by said officers to applogise.

>> Edited by MajorPart on Friday 4th June 00:26

[WMHV70]

icamm said:

[quote=WMHV70]Vehicles used for Police purposes

Can't find the actual legislation just now, but it does say used for Police purposes... not sure how this will be affected by the increasing use of civilian camera technicians though.

I wasn't suggetsing it was right, just that there is an exemption in law. In my force, if we are out in the canera van, we have to park in approved sites which have all been QA'd by Headquarters, and all sites are listed in binder kept in the vehicle. The descriptions are as specific as "XXXXXXX Road, west side of street facing south, outside number 37".

If you can't park legally as per the binder instructions, you go and use another site that you can park legally at.

>> Edited by WMHV70 on Friday 4th June 00:31

[MajorPart]

Maybe you can enlighten us.. If a valid complaint is made does the location get dropped for the "safety" vans.

I'm also starting to wonder if the reason they some have Amber lights is not only to fool folk but maybe something to do with Civi's being able to drive..but saying that Police Civi drivers can drive anything about, station to station, to garage etc.

As well as prison officers, seen them driving a police van too...

[Dwight VanDriver]

The yellow lines would be laid as a result of a No Waiting Order by LA.

Within this Order will be a clause as to what, if any vehicles, are allowed to stop

i.e. dropping/picking up passengers etc
Vehicles used for Fire, Ambulance, Police
purposes.
Other statutory authorities (Gas, Electric etc).

So no offence committed if parked as stated. Neither can this be used to escape a prosecution.

However a Police Force is interested in protecting its Public image and if thought to be in a dangerous position report the matter. Bear in mind that civvies are not subject to the discipline that a true plod is. Neither it would seem do they have the same sense of safety.

DVD

[pbrettle]

Dwight VanDriver said:

However a Police Force is interested in protecting its Public image and if thought to be in a dangerous position report the matter. Bear in mind that civvies are not subject to the discipline that a true plod is. Neither it would seem do they have the same sense of safety. DVD

Absolutely - cant win on the legal technicalities, but on the public image stuff they are likely to want to appease the public. A nice indication that a photo would go to the local and national press is likely to either pi55 them off or get them to back down.... nothing worse that seeing a Camera van from a local constabulary posted across the national press...... wins them no friends and gets even more anti-camera support....

Worth a try....