Use of Police Vehicles

[ledfoot]

A question for the BIB.

Is it normal for the police to take their patrol vehicles home with them ?

There is a policeman down my road that more often than not, has a either a marked or unmarked traffic car in his driveway, and sometimes it is there for days without any use at all.

Isn't this a waste of resources, if the same vehicle could be used by someone else on another shift, instead of sitting on a private driveway, or is it that my local police force is just too under manned which I beleive it is ?

[xxplod]

Depends. Rural beat Officers will often have their beat car, or 4x4 vehicle parked at the beat house. Although it is a divisional resource, often the Officer will be the only one that drives it. Officers on specialist squads may well take a job car home with them (I did), but these will almost always be unmarked. It is most unorthodox to have a marked vehicle outside a private house for any length of time. There is nothing to forbid it, it's really a matter of Force Policy.

[mustard]

Dog handlers seem to take the dog van home... along with the dog i presume!

[Boosted Ls1]

Sometimes they are on stand by/call out and it's quiet so they go home. A relative is on traffic. At Christmas he is usually on duty but takes the car home if it's quiet. He is still on duty and ready to roll if a call comes through

[Streetcop]

The earlier comment about Community officers etc might be true..

It's very strange though...and certainly not the case in my force...Even unmarked cars are not allowed to be taken home and left at home...

Obviously, if you pop home for something to eat etc..then the car will be left outside, but I wouldn't put it on my drive...looks sloppy in my opinion...

Street

[andygo]

There's a BIB near to where I live who's car is often parked outside his house for hours on end.

I just think he's skiving! It looks bad as far as I am concerned.

[Streetcop]

andygo said:

There's a BIB near to where I live who's car is often parked outside his house for hours on end. I just think he's skiving! It looks bad as far as I am concerned.

Yep...I have to agree...(see my earlier prediction in my last post..."sloppy"

Street

[mel]

Do they pay tax on them ?

[pdV6]

Bit of a temptation isn't it? Lots of nice shiney radio gubbins tucked away inside...