Update: Hey guys, it's clear there is quite a divide in opinion on how things should have gone down. I've explained myself as best as I can and I have managed to convince some who were originally critical. I find myself having to repeat what I've already written down, so if you have genuine concern, make sure you read the entire comment thread before you have a go. I probably won't be replying anymore, it's really quite draining to have to repeat the same thing over and over!
Thanks for the support.
Also thanks Mods, for removing personal attacks.
Posted this on a forum and fb page, but thought it'd be useful here.
So… A little story from a couple of nights ago:
Was walking home one night, dark and wet, when I saw a police car indicate to turn right at a traffic light. Instead of looking ahead for oncoming traffic, he turns his head right around, as if to look at the cars that have just passed. "He must be looking to pull someone over" I thought. Instead, he pulls an illegal U-turn, no flashing lights or sirens, then parks the car a few metres up the road. Another unit turns around the corner and pulls up behind.
1 male officer from the 1st vehicle, and 1 male and 1 female officer from the 2nd get out of their cars and… head into YOGURBERRY (frozen dessert place, for those folks not into the asian dessert scene). "W T F" was my first thought.
I walk in, ask to speak to the male officer and say to him "Sir, you realise you just did an illegal U-turn at a traffic light". He gives me attitude and turns away, female officer rolls her eyes at me, and the 1st male officer then tells me "we are allowed to break the rules". I pointed out that they were not on a job and had no authority to break any laws, and they all simply said "yes, we do" and cited s305 (Australian Road Rules) as letting them "break the rules".
So I left and went back to the cars to take down the details. Male officer 1 comes out and tries to talk to me in a more receptive tone, saying "if you wanted more specific details, you could have just asked". I tell him "the only reason you're speaking to me now is because you know I'm taking your details down. You treated me with no respect and you just turned and dismissed me" blablabla.
I went home, looked up s305 (http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_reg/rr2008104/…) and found that police are exempt from the road rules only if:
- the driver is taking reasonable care, and
- it is reasonable that the provision should not apply, and
- if the vehicle is a motor vehicle that is moving-the vehicle is displaying a blue or red flashing light or sounding an alarm.
I called the station manager that night and explained everything. His first reaction was a big "Oh………… This is not good"
I told him I was disappointed because I had the courtesy to let the office know he broke a law, and they all gave me attitude, tried to mislead me with a legal reference and essentially tried to bully me to go away.
The station manager called me back last night after he talked to all the officers. He said "it's not on" that they did what they did, spoke to me about how police need the public support and if they are to enforce the laws, they need to abide by them too. I left it up to him to figure out the proper disciplinary action, but I told him I wanted a personal apology from that 1st officer. Pfft, unlikely that I'll get one!
Moral of the story is: everyone is subject to the same laws, a police officer is not exempt. Don't let yourself be bullied. Know the laws and know your rights.
Hope this info proves handy for someone in the future.
Power User: Just a reminder that comments need to be civil as per the commenting guidelines
Understand what you're saying, but:
I digress. The benefit is not so much for me, but I'm making a stand for everyone else, that includes you. I'm happy to take the heat. As I said in another post, I'll stand up for the person next to me. That's benefit enough.