Impersonating a Police Vehicle ?
Discussion
I know it's illegal to impersonate a BiB.
Is it legal to impersonate a Police Car ?
I ask, because I see several vehicles which are not, but seem to be trying to look like them - variations on stripes down the side, sometimes flashing lights on top (often on vehicles labelled "Motorway Maintenance" which are fifty miles from the nearest motorway).
Yesterday I saw a car which bore a remarkable resemblance to a trafpol car - even at close range, it was only when it went passed (people were slowing down to 70mph as they do) that it became clear it wasn't.
Is it legal to impersonate a Police Car ?
I ask, because I see several vehicles which are not, but seem to be trying to look like them - variations on stripes down the side, sometimes flashing lights on top (often on vehicles labelled "Motorway Maintenance" which are fifty miles from the nearest motorway).
Yesterday I saw a car which bore a remarkable resemblance to a trafpol car - even at close range, it was only when it went passed (people were slowing down to 70mph as they do) that it became clear it wasn't.
There is no offence of imperonsating a police car, it would have to be dealt with under impersonating a police officer. Here's the relecant text from the Police Act 1996:
90. - (1) Any person who with intent to deceive impersonates a member of a police force or special constable, or makes any statement or does any act calculated falsely to suggest that he is such a member or constable, shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or to both.
I am not a legal person, but there seems to be quite a few areas that need to be proven here (intent, for one), and I suspect that there would have to be aggravating factors before a conviction is likely. Eg. stopping a car, using a car with "police" text on it, or driving a car with blue lights flashing.
Gareth
>> Edited by g_attrill on Sunday 1st August 13:41
90. - (1) Any person who with intent to deceive impersonates a member of a police force or special constable, or makes any statement or does any act calculated falsely to suggest that he is such a member or constable, shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or to both.
I am not a legal person, but there seems to be quite a few areas that need to be proven here (intent, for one), and I suspect that there would have to be aggravating factors before a conviction is likely. Eg. stopping a car, using a car with "police" text on it, or driving a car with blue lights flashing.
Gareth
>> Edited by g_attrill on Sunday 1st August 13:41
I got "pulled up" (many years ago now) for "impersonating a police car" !! I personally wasn't the impersonator, but my white Granada was. Back in the day of CB radio it was rather fun to see peoples reactions and even get cars pulling over to the sound of me whistling two-tone out of the PA system - only one time it was indeed plod himself 
He tried to do me for having illegal musical air-horns. I pointed out it was a PA system and was legal ! I got a wrist slapping and told not to do it again.
He tried to do me for having illegal musical air-horns. I pointed out it was a PA system and was legal ! I got a wrist slapping and told not to do it again.
Sorry, but I read the title and couldn`t help but think of this thread: www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=68263
Almost stopped laughing now!
Almost stopped laughing now!
madant69 said:
Is it legal to impersonate a Police Car ?
I don't think running around shouting "Nee Naw" has been outlawed yet, thank the stars...
Don't joke about it. Our local rozzers are so far in the red that the local trafpol will be running on the roads going "Nee Naw" next week....
autismuk said:
madant69 said:
autismuk said:
Is it legal to impersonate a Police Car ?
I don't think running around shouting "Nee Naw" has been outlawed yet, thank the stars...
Don't joke about it. Our local rozzers are so far in the red that the local trafpol will be running on the roads going "Nee Naw" next week....
In times past my particular general purpose police car was a peugeot 306 that had a problem siren.
Instead of nee naw it would start off nee nawing perfectly then end up doing a loud nee, then a sort of donkey type parp. It worked even better, I lost count of the people p*ssing themselves listening to me donkey past.
Used to make me chuckle like mad that thing.
>> Edited by silverback mike on Monday 2nd August 16:15
I live near an RAF base and the RAF Police now use a civilian registered Astra with full stripes like their civvie counterparts and a big POLICE sign which has a very small RAF legend above it. It sure scares the non-locals.
Also, there are several ex-police classic cars around thta go to the shows in full police livery. Typically Cooper 'S', Anglia (Panda cars), etc.
Also, there are several ex-police classic cars around thta go to the shows in full police livery. Typically Cooper 'S', Anglia (Panda cars), etc.
Cooperman said:
I live near an RAF base and the RAF Police now use a civilian registered Astra with full stripes like their civvie counterparts and a big POLICE sign which has a very small RAF legend above it. It sure scares the non-locals.
Also, there are several ex-police classic cars around thta go to the shows in full police livery. Typically Cooper 'S', Anglia (Panda cars), etc.
We used to have old diesel Escort estates when I was in the RAF....deeeeeee....daaaaaaaaaaaaaa.....deeeee...daaaaaaaaa. sounded like an Intercity 125...
Street
There's a bloke near me who's got a vulva 850 estate with blue strobes in the grille , going to wait for him to do it again and shop him ,anyway i need his full reg , im nearly there but normaly pass him at 90+ so its quite difficult to read his plate
Saw a good one in Dorchester , looked exactly like a traffic car but with security written along the bottom of the doors instead of police , now thats taking the piss overtook him too at silly speed
Saw a good one in Dorchester , looked exactly like a traffic car but with security written along the bottom of the doors instead of police , now thats taking the piss overtook him too at silly speed
silverback mike said:
madant69 said:
autismuk said:
Is it legal to impersonate a Police Car ?
I don't think running around shouting "Nee Naw" has been outlawed yet, thank the stars...
Don't joke about it. Our local rozzers are so far in the red that the local trafpol will be running on the roads going "Nee Naw" next week....
In times past my particular general purpose police car was a peugeot 306 that had a problem siren.
Instead of nee naw it would start off nee nawing perfectly then end up doing a loud nee, then a sort of donkey type parp. It worked even better, I lost count of the people p*ssing themselves listening to me donkey past.
Used to make me chuckle like mad that thing.
>> Edited by silverback mike on Monday 2nd August 16:15
Great for catching criminals. They'll be doubled up laughing and unable to escape your cluthches
ws6 said:
I got "pulled up" (many years ago now) for "impersonating a police car" !! I personally wasn't the impersonator, but my white Granada was. Back in the day of CB radio it was rather fun to see peoples reactions and even get cars pulling over to the sound of me whistling two-tone out of the PA system - only one time it was indeed plod himself
He tried to do me for having illegal musical air-horns. I pointed out it was a PA system and was legal ! I got a wrist slapping and told not to do it again.
Reminds me of a long forgotten incident.
Someone drove round Hathersage late at night in the sixties with a similar system, shouting....
"Civil Defence nuclear attack warning.....you have three minutes to take cover....."
Can't remember what happened to him but I'm sure he was spotted nailed to a fence or something.....
A while back, Trafpol in something like an old Z cars Mark 3 Zephyr were behind a woman learner driver at the traffic lights. When they turned green, she stalled. Immediately there was much hooting from all and sundry. 'Fancy' Smith or whoever picked up the PA mic and said in a loud voice "(CLICK).......GENTLEMEN, WE WERE ALL LEARNERS....". This must have panicked her, because with much revving and graunching of gears, she shot backwards into the Zephyr, whereupon the voice continued "....ONCE. OH F*CK - THE SILLY BITCH HAS JUST RAMMED US....(CLICK)".
>> Edited by nickwilcock on Monday 25th October 17:15
>> Edited by nickwilcock on Monday 25th October 17:15
silverback mike said:
All joking aside, it was a great tension reliever. 
Mind you, I suppose I have a sense of humour so it did help a bit.
Even the most hardened fighters softened a bit when I piled out of a parping pug with a smile on my face.
Yes well we'll not discuss the day a mate captured a stray and extremely scruffy mongrel creating havoc in the traffic round Sheffield Midland station. Instructed to bring it back to West Bar nick the only lead he could organise was a piece of hairy string.
He wished he had a quid for every "Is the funding crisis so bad you can't even afford Alsatians now"
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