Being pulled over
Discussion
Firstly hello everyone, im guessing im a youngun on this forum at only 18. Been reading for a while and its been useful in terms of information and advice but i thought id post to ask about something that happened to me a while back.
I'd been driving a few months and was only insured on my mums car at the time. Was going down a DC near my house where the speed limit changes from 30 - 40, i was in the 30 zone doing about 40 when i noticed a car behind me flashing me, i assumed i'd pissed him off at some stage and put my foot down. We got to a set of traffic lights which were red, 2 lanes going down to 1 and for some reason he was ranting and raving and giving me verbal through the window, i was with a mate and we were both a bit confused about what i'd done. Anyway the lights went green and i didnt want him ahead of me because then he could stop and id be forced to, so i got in front of him and he carried on, sitting on my bumper and flashing me, trying to overtake me on the wrong side of the road in a 40 zone. Now i was getting really scared and slowed down to let him pass hoping he'd give me the finger and go away. Instead he stopped the car directly in front of me, i overtook him on the wrong side of the road and took the first right, which led to an NS road which was very narrow and windy. By this stage id locked all the doors and was driving faster than i was capable of, he still followed me until eventually i lost him on a roundabout.
Anyway, i thought nothing of it until my mum had a phone call from a policeman in Camden claiming that he had tried to pull me over for resisting arrest, he said he clearly showed me his badge but i refused to stop (i can honestly say that i never saw that) and when i said to him i was scared because he was swearing and shouting he said he was on his hands free kit and wasnt talking to me. He said he could revoke my license there and then but would let me off and think of it as a warning but if i so much as get 3 points now then he would report this incident. This isnt right is it?
I also later thought that as i wasnt arrested, him finding out my phone number and where i lived is in breach of my privacy isnt it?
A very long essay i know but i hope someone is bored enough to read it and give me some facts. A bit to late to do anything about it now but im just wondering.
Cheers.
I'd been driving a few months and was only insured on my mums car at the time. Was going down a DC near my house where the speed limit changes from 30 - 40, i was in the 30 zone doing about 40 when i noticed a car behind me flashing me, i assumed i'd pissed him off at some stage and put my foot down. We got to a set of traffic lights which were red, 2 lanes going down to 1 and for some reason he was ranting and raving and giving me verbal through the window, i was with a mate and we were both a bit confused about what i'd done. Anyway the lights went green and i didnt want him ahead of me because then he could stop and id be forced to, so i got in front of him and he carried on, sitting on my bumper and flashing me, trying to overtake me on the wrong side of the road in a 40 zone. Now i was getting really scared and slowed down to let him pass hoping he'd give me the finger and go away. Instead he stopped the car directly in front of me, i overtook him on the wrong side of the road and took the first right, which led to an NS road which was very narrow and windy. By this stage id locked all the doors and was driving faster than i was capable of, he still followed me until eventually i lost him on a roundabout.
Anyway, i thought nothing of it until my mum had a phone call from a policeman in Camden claiming that he had tried to pull me over for resisting arrest, he said he clearly showed me his badge but i refused to stop (i can honestly say that i never saw that) and when i said to him i was scared because he was swearing and shouting he said he was on his hands free kit and wasnt talking to me. He said he could revoke my license there and then but would let me off and think of it as a warning but if i so much as get 3 points now then he would report this incident. This isnt right is it?
I also later thought that as i wasnt arrested, him finding out my phone number and where i lived is in breach of my privacy isnt it?
A very long essay i know but i hope someone is bored enough to read it and give me some facts. A bit to late to do anything about it now but im just wondering.
Cheers.
tbh he can't do jack all cos it's his word against yours and your mate's too - if it was an unmarked car it probably won't have had any speed measuring equipment, and he won't be able to make anything stick without video evidence of DWDC or dangerous.
the DPA thing is edgy, he would have gotten the registered keeper details through a PNC but tbh it sounds like he wasn't even on duty at the time.
you just find sausage jockeys like this every now and again, I wouldn't worry about it - he's actually making it worse by saying that he'll have your licence if you get 3 points as that is intimidation.
not all the coppers are hitlers-in-training, there are good uns!!!
the DPA thing is edgy, he would have gotten the registered keeper details through a PNC but tbh it sounds like he wasn't even on duty at the time.
you just find sausage jockeys like this every now and again, I wouldn't worry about it - he's actually making it worse by saying that he'll have your licence if you get 3 points as that is intimidation.
not all the coppers are hitlers-in-training, there are good uns!!!
CB-Dave said:
you don't have to stop for anyone unless they're a marked vehicle - certainly not if they just flash at you.
Thats not strictly true!
There are unmarked ones around that will soon let you know that they really are the Police.
CB-Dave said:
if it happened again, simply drive straight to the nearest police station, that way it is all legal and above board...
Thats the best thing to do if you are not sure even if an unmarked one is trying to pull you.
The failing to stop offence which is now arrestable under Section 24 PACE 1984 states a Police Officer in unifrom. It does not say that when those officers are in a vehicle it has to be a marked one for the offence to be substantiated.
ben_london said:
Firstly hello everyone.
Hello Ben.
Ben_London said:
Anyway, i thought nothing of it until my mum had a phone call from a policeman in Camden claiming that he had tried to pull me over for resisting arrest,
Unless he had hands on you and you fought him to get away, you will not be subject of that offence.
Ben_London said:
he said he clearly showed me his badge but i refused to stop (i can honestly say that i never saw that) and when i said to him i was scared because he was swearing and shouting he said he was on his hands free kit and wasnt talking to me.
If he was in uniform then you would have noticed and his badge would just have corroborated his status.
It is possible he was talking on his hands free set and not to you although I doubt ghe was shoutingand swearing down that because all radio transmissions are taped continually and it would also be broadcast for everyone to hear.
Ben_London said:
He said he could revoke my license there and then but would let me off and think of it as a warning but if i so much as get 3 points now then he would report this incident. This isnt right is it?
Only a Magistrate or a Judge can revoke your licence.
If he decided to prosecute you for an opffence of driving without due care or some other endorsable offence, you may fall foul of the 6 points in 2 years after passing your test. I suspect you have got things a bit muddled up or misunderstood what he was telling you.
Ben_London said:
I also later thought that as i wasnt arrested, him finding out my phone number and where i lived is in breach of my privacy isnt it?
No, not at all. It is perfectly in order for him to make enquiries of this nature to folow up the investigation of an offence.
Ben_London said:
A very long essay i know but i hope someone is bored enough to read it and give me some facts. A bit to late to do anything about it now but im just wondering.
Cheers.
Put it down to experience. I suspect he was either on enquiries in an unmarked car or in his own car in which case he should not have tried to stop you without the correct warning equipment.
If you have only just passed your test, be very careful about driving at 40 in a 30. You have two chances to retain your licence under rules for new driver in the first 2 years after the test. Three endorsable offences will see your licence revoked and you having to take the whole thing again!
CB-Dave said:
tbh he can't do jack all cos it's his word against yours and your mate's too - if it was an unmarked car it probably won't have had any speed measuring equipment, and he won't be able to make anything stick without video evidence of DWDC or dangerous.
He can do jack all actually. Its then down to CPS and the courts to decide who is telling the truth.
Many unmarked cars have calibrated speedos fitted to them. Even those that are not specifically Roads Policing enforcement cars.
CB-Dave said:
the DPA thing is edgy, he would have gotten the registered keeper details through a PNC but tbh it sounds like he wasn't even on duty at the time.
I tend to agree with that.
CB-Dave said:
you just find sausage jockeys like this every now and again, I wouldn't worry about it - he's actually making it worse by saying that he'll have your licence if you get 3 points as that is intimidation.
Unfortunately it is the truth. Two offences with points attached in the first two years see you having to start from the beginning.
CB-Dave said:
not all the coppers are hitlers-in-training, there are good uns!!!
No most of us are trained
ben london said:
Anyway, i thought nothing of it until my mum had a phone call from a policeman in Camden claiming that he had tried to pull me over for resisting arrest, ...
If he called your mother and claimed that he tried to pull you over, then something is wrong. You say it was your mother's car ... I assume therefore that she is the Registered Keeper. DVLA/PNC would have no information about you except as a driver. This would not be directly associated with the vehicle.
If he did as you describe (and, for brevity, you might have presented us with a precis of the conversation) then I think there are grounds for suggesting that the alleged officer has overstepped the DPA. Whilst he could legitimately get the RK's details from the PNC he could not link these to anyone else (ie. you).
This could have been a prank by a friend, or it could have been someone who recognised your mother's car and thought it had been stolen ... and later when learning the truth decided to scare you because of your "speedy" driving. It could also be an annoyed police officer who did not want to (or for his own reasons could not) follow procedure.
I am surprised that the alleged officer telephoned. If everything as above board, a personal visit might well have been more appropriate ... and by a uniformed officer. Did he give his name, rank, collar number and station? If so, you might want to think about making a complaint. Of course, you might not
. Streaky
IANAL
>> Edited by streaky on Thursday 22 April 07:58
CB-Dave said:
if it happened again, simply drive straight to the nearest police station, that way it is all legal and above board...
My nearest police station has been closed, so if i decided to drive to a cop station i would have to go five miles through crowded streets with a 'cop' doing his best to stop me!
How would that look in a court of law? I imagine he would call for back-up and I would be forceably stopped before i made it to the cop shop!
CB-Dave said:
you don't have to stop for anyone unless they're a marked vehicle - certainly not if they just flash at you.
if it happened again, simply drive straight to the nearest police station, that way it is all legal and above board...
What if you don't know the area?
This 'resisting arrest' sounds very similar to what happened to a friend of mine on the M-way. He's been charged with failing to stop (as the policeman attending an accident on the hard shoulder, thought he had used the shoulder when entering from the slip road). Friend just thought he was directing traffic into outer lanes to give acident scene some space, result is an impending court appearance for what seems a genuine misundestanding.
There is also nothing you stop you making a 999 call handsfree or not in such circumstances.
I have had a similar instance in my Saab 2.3 Turbo, with a different outcome, where a rather over enthusiastic very young copper tried stopping me for driving rather briskly.
He was in a private car a "Fiat Uno 45" for FFS!, but was uniformed. After a few miles of polite flashing I slowed to see him & the uniform. Pulled over, I got out to see meet this spotty faced teenager in a uniform.
He politely said "I think you were driving a bit too fast for this road, which is why I tried to stop you, I had great trouble keeping up"
Once I pointed out some of rather crude pursuit techniques & his poor standard of driving relating to to road positioning etc & that his vehicle was wholly incapable of keeping up safely with a much faster car, he apologised & seemed rather embarrassed by it all.
As it happenes I lived over the road from the plod station, so soon got to know him. Turns out it was his first week in the job.
I'm sure a chat with the big chief at the plod station would more than settle the problem, they are always very helpfull & maybe someone might not do this again to you.
I have had a similar instance in my Saab 2.3 Turbo, with a different outcome, where a rather over enthusiastic very young copper tried stopping me for driving rather briskly.
He was in a private car a "Fiat Uno 45" for FFS!, but was uniformed. After a few miles of polite flashing I slowed to see him & the uniform. Pulled over, I got out to see meet this spotty faced teenager in a uniform.
He politely said "I think you were driving a bit too fast for this road, which is why I tried to stop you, I had great trouble keeping up"
Once I pointed out some of rather crude pursuit techniques & his poor standard of driving relating to to road positioning etc & that his vehicle was wholly incapable of keeping up safely with a much faster car, he apologised & seemed rather embarrassed by it all.
As it happenes I lived over the road from the plod station, so soon got to know him. Turns out it was his first week in the job.
I'm sure a chat with the big chief at the plod station would more than settle the problem, they are always very helpfull & maybe someone might not do this again to you.
cptsideways took words out of my "typing claws!"
Would have done the "hands free" emergency call if pushed this way.
I think I am inclined to think like Streaky though - sounds too much like a prank to me. Surely something a serious as "resisting arrest" would mean visit and not phone call.
If it was genuine BiB - then right bad apple and downright unprofessional standards of behaviour. (and they wonder why we "whinge" 
Would have done the "hands free" emergency call if pushed this way.
I think I am inclined to think like Streaky though - sounds too much like a prank to me. Surely something a serious as "resisting arrest" would mean visit and not phone call.
If it was genuine BiB - then right bad apple and downright unprofessional standards of behaviour. (and they wonder why we "whinge"
Sorry i've only just back to replying. It was defintaly not a prank as there was a message on the answer phone from a "DC whoever from **** police station" and my mum had to ring him back. In regards to what he knew he knew that it was my mums car and that i was insured on it and he knew my age and how long i'd been driving for.
I didnt hear both ends of the conversation, only what my mum was saying and then finally when i asked if i could speak. He didnt actually say the words "he resisted arrest" he just said that i wouldnt stop even though he showed his badge.
I wouldnt make a complaint or attempt anything because im sure then i would be subjected to a lot of "random" spot checks. I've been driving for just over a year now with no other "incidents" and no points so i simply put it to experience and am wary of all cars now. For the record i think it was his car as at one stage he said to me "I was in my car, the red ***"
I was just wondering what any police on here thought as well as what other people would have done.
Cheers lads and ladies
I didnt hear both ends of the conversation, only what my mum was saying and then finally when i asked if i could speak. He didnt actually say the words "he resisted arrest" he just said that i wouldnt stop even though he showed his badge.
I wouldnt make a complaint or attempt anything because im sure then i would be subjected to a lot of "random" spot checks. I've been driving for just over a year now with no other "incidents" and no points so i simply put it to experience and am wary of all cars now. For the record i think it was his car as at one stage he said to me "I was in my car, the red ***"
I was just wondering what any police on here thought as well as what other people would have done.
Cheers lads and ladies
CB-Dave said:
you don't have to stop for anyone unless they're a marked vehicle - certainly not if they just flash at you.
The car doesn't matter, what matters is that they are in uniform. They can wave their badge, flash their lights, post you their payslips to you and put a picture of them shaking hands with the CC on a bill board but it counts for zilch unless they are in uniform
The only thing that worries me is, if this person IS a real police officer and he may be a "bad egg" he might have gone away thinking that you have got the better of him,THIS TIME.
My concern is that you be a little careful for a bit longer until your licence is a little more safe.He may ask "friends" to look out for you! "THEY DON'T DO THAT DO THEY!" I hear you cry! Well, some do.
I have a few of friends in "the force." some working, others retired and one numb-nut living next door! (he hasn't managed to win one yet!)
Make sure you don't have to take your licence again, it's only a short while to wait.
Good luck, HAPPY DRIVING!
My concern is that you be a little careful for a bit longer until your licence is a little more safe.He may ask "friends" to look out for you! "THEY DON'T DO THAT DO THEY!" I hear you cry! Well, some do.
I have a few of friends in "the force." some working, others retired and one numb-nut living next door! (he hasn't managed to win one yet!)
Make sure you don't have to take your licence again, it's only a short while to wait.
Good luck, HAPPY DRIVING!
ben_london said:
Sorry i've only just back to replying. It was defintaly not a prank as there was a message on the answer phone from a "DC whoever from **** police station" and my mum had to ring him back. In regards to what he knew he knew that it was my mums car and that i was insured on it and he knew my age and how long i'd been driving for. [ ... ]
Er. Did your mother ring the number the alleged officer left? Or did she check it independently? Anyone could leave such a message with a number to call.
Someone else might explain how a police officer could lawfully know you were insured to drive your mother's car without breaching the DPA.
I would content that, if he was a real BiB, then he is in breach of the DPA by connecting your mother's car to her insurance to your driving licence ... without establishing that it was indeed you who was driving.
On the basis of what you have said, I am now more convinced that this is a prank. If it is anything more then at least a breach of procedure (and, I contend, of the law) has occured. I would contact the police station named in the message after obtaining the number from directory enquiries, ask for the duty Inspector and enquire whether the named officer is stationed there. If he is, then you can decide whether to leave it there or take it further.
If you still have the recording, keep it! If you subsequently establish that it was not a BiB, then it is very possible that a charge of impersonating a police officer could be laid against the individual.
In regard to my suspicion that this is a prank, I add the good supposition that, if he were a real BiB, the circumstances and your ensuing style of driving should have given him cause to suspect that the vehicle had been stolen and he should have called it in to "Control". I strongly suspect that he recognised your mother's car and you and is trying to put the wind up you ... maybe with good reason if your driving was potentially dangerous (albeit that would be his subjective view). Alternatively he recognised the car and thought it might have been stolen, but subsequently learned that you were driving ... the rest follows as above.
Streaky
Well my mum rung the number back and was put through to ***** police station where she was put through to different departments, Im 99% sure it was real after speaking to the policeman himself.
It happened around about 8 months ago, maybe even more but i was just posting to see whether he was in the wrong and what you "more mature" people would of done. My opinion is that i was speeding so if he was a policeman on duty then i would of had no complaints in being pulled over, however, he was off duty and if he was worried about my driving or whether it was my car he should of called in to the station and got a police car to come out and pull me over. I do think he's broken the DPA but i think for the hassle i will get and all the "random" stops i will be subjected to is it really worth the hassle. As a few of you have said he is probably just a power hungry minority in a generally well respected police force. Well at least i can say i outdrove a fully trained policeman.
Cheers everyone.
It happened around about 8 months ago, maybe even more but i was just posting to see whether he was in the wrong and what you "more mature" people would of done. My opinion is that i was speeding so if he was a policeman on duty then i would of had no complaints in being pulled over, however, he was off duty and if he was worried about my driving or whether it was my car he should of called in to the station and got a police car to come out and pull me over. I do think he's broken the DPA but i think for the hassle i will get and all the "random" stops i will be subjected to is it really worth the hassle. As a few of you have said he is probably just a power hungry minority in a generally well respected police force. Well at least i can say i outdrove a fully trained policeman.
Cheers everyone.
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