1433 police officers fined for speeding

[ltd_on20s]

NEARLY four police officers a day were booked for breaking traffic laws including speeding while at work last year without any evidence they were responding to an emergency.

The massive 1433 fines incurred by lead-footed officers in police cars prompted strong criticism not only from road safety groups but also the NSW Police Force Commissioner for Professional Standards Paul Carey.

"If the number of fines incurred by police officers was just one, it would be of concern," Mr Carey said.

The high number of traffic fines issued to police vehicles - roughly one for every 10 officers - is an embarrassment in the lead up to the holiday safety blitz, codenamed Operation Safe Arrival.

The blitz on speeding and drink driving for the Christmas-New Year period is intended to keep the annual road toll at less than 400.

On 12 occasions no police officer owned up to being the driver of a vehicle that had been booked.

The figures revealed in documents obtained under Freedom of Information show even police officers are being caught by the state's ruthlessly effective fixed speed cameras.

Of the fines issued to police most - 1325 - were issued by fixed speed cameras, including school zone cameras.

The cameras doubled their fines revenue last financial year as they picked up a total of 677,839 drivers across NSW in the same period.

The officers themselves were required to pay the fines and lose demerit points, as does any other motorist caught breaking the law.

While most police were caught with only minor infringements, others such as leadfoot Senior Constable Andrew Robert Cumming, 32, did it to excess.

Cumming was banned from driving for a year for speeding in a police car at 202km/h on the F6 twice in January, 2006. There was no pursuit underway.

Cumming pleaded guilty to two counts of exceeding the speed limit by more than 45km/h - but remains on the force.

wonder if they will impound the cop cars under hooning laws lol.

[BIGJB]

Originally Posted by ltd_on20s

While most police were caught with only minor infringements, others such as leadfoot Senior Constable Andrew Robert Cumming, 32, did it to excess.

Cumming was banned from driving for a year for speeding in a police car at 202km/h on the F6 twice in January, 2006. There was no pursuit underway.

Cumming pleaded guilty to two counts of exceeding the speed limit by more than 45km/h - but remains on the force.

So do police have seperate police licences to allow them to drive police cars???
May be a dumb question but if they do does he lose that as well or can he still
drive police cars?

[axeray]

They have to do a special driving course before they're allowed to drive a police vehicle.

I think the 1 year ban is for driving a police car as well. He probably could've argued that he needed his license for work and that a fine would be more appropriate instead of the loss of license. It's a common argument which works well.

Like any job, they all have perks and I would've thought speeding was a perk of being a cop :P

[ltd_on20s]

Originally Posted by axeray

Like any job, they all have perks and I would've thought speeding was a perk of being a cop :P

lol not when they are deliberately breaking the laws they try to uphold.

these guys had no legit reason to be speeding as per the first paragraph of the story. they wern't responding to any call outs.

[Fev]

you'd think they would atleast try and not get hit by the speeding camera's

[gtxb67]

Originally Posted by ltd_on20s

lol not when they are deliberately breaking the laws they try to uphold.

these guys had no legit reason to be speeding as per the first paragraph of the story. they wern't responding to any call outs.

they were caught and fined - just like you and i would be

[Geez Louise]

What?? You mean to tell me they are people too??? Why wasn't I told!

*Sarcasm button off

[blueoval]

This only one state, what about the rest of them?

Some of the stated speeds could be considered criminal acts especially if around school areas. It just makes it sound worse when there was no emergency to attend to.

Shame on these people!

[Redrum]

How many ambulances and fire brigade members received fines in that period?

[SB076]

Not all Police beleive in speed camera's etc and not all police think that doing 3 k's over is life endangering. Therefore it doesnt surprise me that some get caught - they are just like the rest of us.

[ltd_on20s]

Originally Posted by Redrum

How many ambulances and fire brigade members received fines in that period?

what do you mean? do you mean while they were in work vehicles?

[ltd_on20s]

sorry should add to that. i have never seen an ambo or fire truck ever going over the speed limit without lights or siren being on.

[Redrum]

Originally Posted by ltd_on20s

what do you mean? do you mean while they were in work vehicles?

I am gathering this is relevant to those members receiving fines whilst on job. Whilst I am not condoning their actions I am merely questioning other statistics which may be relevant.
In Victoria I know for a fact every single time a police officer whilst working is caught by a speed camera they must write a report and justify their actions, even if it is obvious in the photo their emergency lights are operating. Under part 19 of the Road Rules Victoria emergency services personal have an exemption from most road rules in the course of their duties as long as they are taking care. It also states that they should operate lights and/or sirens if the vehicle is fitted with them. My understanding from talking to MAS and MFB is that they do not have these concerns and do not have to justify their speeding whilst in work vehicles.
I am just interested.

[Redrum]

Originally Posted by ltd_on20s

sorry should add to that. i have never seen an ambo or fire truck ever going over the speed limit without lights or siren being on.

I have.

[snappy]

DO AS I SAY NOT AS I DO .
Can't wait to see this message splashed up on a billboard.

[gtxb67]

i am not sure about the meaning of the thread
does the original poster not speed
should the original poster be allowed to speed without getting fined

from what i can see, if the individual officers are dumb enough to speed past a camera, then they receive a fine - just like us

the police are normal everyday people too - except for the fact that they face potential danger everyday, and the general public thinks self defence rules should not apply to them. apart from that they are normal. they drive and sometimes drive fast - so what


and just like us, if they are polite to an officer that pulls them over, they get let off alot too. if they are arrogant - then they get treaty unfairly . . . . err i mean get a fine

[ltd_on20s]

the original post was just to question this:

1. if they are officers of the state using state police vehicles then they must abide by the rules they are governed by. wether or not they believe in the rules is irrelevent because thats not their job. their job is to enforce these rules regardless.
2. officers must be beyond reproach. they have taken the oath.
3. they have massive leeway already in being able to suspend road rules when neccessary. eg chase/incident, robbery, assault etc.
4. if police are flouting these laws that are supposed to protect people after reading the article you think people will want to still follow them?

look im not saying that these guys have to be superhuman, i mean to be honest its a sh** job with crap pay and people give you no respect for doing something pollies have put in place. but its their job. i doubt many people would keep their jobs if they were found doing 200+ in a company car.....

[XR6_661]

202km/h!!

Haha. Ol mate musta been seeing how fast he could wind the cop car up to!

[Laminge]

How many times do you see laminge close a thread!