Man argues with police camera van civilian operator

[deeps]

Video link below.

Should civilians be operating speed cameras from police camera vans? The guy in this video thinks not, and makes his point to the operator who proceeds to hide his face in a towel.

The law states that primary evidence for speeding is an opinion of excessive speed formed by a police officer, not a civilian. Once the officer has formed his opinion of excessive speed, he can gain the required secondary evidence to corroborate the primary evidence, by using a laser gun in the van.

Since a civilian cannot gain the primary evidence, why is he allowed to use the laser? Surely any attempt at conviction without primary evidence should be thrown out of court, as in the Colin Montgomerie case, here..

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10327666


Link to video here..

http://fbcdn-video-a.akamaihd.net/hvideo-ak-xpf1/v...gda=1408249793_c48e0ffddaa37094c00d2793ba2bd2d6

Edited by deeps on Saturday 16th August 02:37

[deeps]

http://fbcdn-video-a.akamaihd.net/hvideo-ak-xpf1/v...


oh=4de14647098e93ee68023c298d530238&oe=53F0023B&gda=1408249793_c48e0ffddaa37094c00d2793ba2bd2d6

Ok, try here...

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=f1d_1408132215

Edited by deeps on Saturday 16th August 02:41

[anonymous-user]

what about stationary cameras?

[Baryonyx]

It's toe curling to see that prat hiding behind his coat. No doubt he is ashamed of what he does.

[rustandoil]

I didn't see a mention of when this happened? Any news on what happened next?

[furrywoolyhatuk]

I saw this doing the rounds on bookface. I guess it's to do with allocation of resources? Cheaper to pay a "civilian" rather then a trained policeman who can then be released of other duties?

[furrywoolyhatuk]

I saw this doing the rounds on bookface. I guess it's to do with allocation of resources? Cheaper to pay a "civilian" rather then a trained policeman who can then be released of other duties?

[anonymous-user]

My money is on "Nothing happened next" It's been like this for at least a decade. In the linked news story the guy got off because the operator wasn't using the kit correctly, not because they weren't plod.

[oldcynic]

Apart from the fact it's old news, it's a prime example of someone using a loophole to waste tens of thousands of pounds of taxpayers money. The guy had 9 points and obviously hasn't yet made the connection between those numbers at the side of the road and the ones on his dashboard.

As for civilians operating speed traps - why not? It's a standard argument to ask why the police aren't out catching criminals and are wasting their time on arbitary speed enforcement.

[RegMolehusband]

I enjoyed that, especially the squirming operator, however one of the commenters below made a good point

"What you did in filming the van; obscuring the camera inside the van and 'harassing' the person inside it, could be construed as obstruction: "The offence of obstructing a police officer is committed when a person: wilfully obstructs a constable in the execution of his duty, or a person assisting a constable.. The female sergeant admitted to delegating powers to the technical officer to gather digital-film evidence: ergo, he was assisting a police officer in the course of his duty."

[johnnyBv8]

rustandoil said:

I didn't see a mention of when this happened? Any news on what happened next?

Must be quite recent, as the 14-plate police car at the end was only first registered last month according to DVLA.

[Lee540]

Van is obstructing the highway, traffic is having to slow down to cross into path of oncoming vehicles

[anonymous-user]

Um, yes? How is that any different from anyone parking there? Can't see any restrictions in force.

Just watched the video, what a tool that bloke is.

[Ed.]

RegMolehusband said:

I enjoyed that, especially the squirming operator, however one of the commenters below made a good point

"What you did in filming the van; obscuring the camera inside the van and 'harassing' the person inside it, could be construed as obstruction: "The offence of obstructing a police officer is committed when a person: wilfully obstructs a constable in the execution of his duty, or a person assisting a constable.. The female sergeant admitted to delegating powers to the technical officer to gather digital-film evidence: ergo, he was assisting a police officer in the course of his duty."

Is that relevant of there isn't a statute saying civilians can be used to gather primary evidence on every passing vehicle incase excessive speed is detected?

It's all very well saying it's just a technicality but the law books are a whole list of technicalities and are meant to be followed. Not loosely interpreted to suit current political or policing desires. Going to court against someone with an unlimited budget who doesn't want to lose could be tough though.

Edited by Ed. on Saturday 16th August 08:34

[VonSenger]

Imagine living next to that cocksocket?????

[waterwonder]

The bit that worried me about that is the police woman's threat about him being fit to drive.

Ok he was being an annoying tt (although maybe he had a point) but making up stuff like that is childish at best.

[VonSenger]

waterwonder said:

The bit that worried me about that is the police woman's threat about him being fit to drive.

Ok he was being an annoying tt (although maybe he had a point) but making up stuff like that is childish at best.

Agreed. That's classic example of where they can't pick one of the random new laws like an asbo to apply frivolously. ......so make one up. Moron.

[berlintaxi]

[quote=VonSenger]Imagine living next to that cocksocket?????[/quote

The one with the camera? Indeed.

[TLandCruiser]

oldcynic said:

Apart from the fact it's old news, it's a prime example of someone using a loophole to waste tens of thousands of pounds of taxpayers money. The guy had 9 points and obviously hasn't yet made the connection between those numbers at the side of the road and the ones on his dashboard.

Yes you maybe correct, however the letter of the law is also there to protect us...otherwise where will you draw the line at bending the words in the law to prosecute somebody?

Edited by TLandCruiser on Saturday 16th August 09:36

[Matt UK]

Is it the comedian Rhod Gilbert?