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What can off duty police officers actually do?

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Red Devil
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Joined: 13 Mar 2012
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PostPosted: 17:35 - 02 Apr 2012    Post subject: What can off duty police officers actually do? Reply with quote
If a off duty policeman reports you for doing a wheelie (dangerous driving) what can actually happen?

Happened to a 'friend' who happened to catch the flashing of the badge on a GoPro as well...guess it's not a good idea to put the still from the video up but watching it back was pretty funny!

Anyone has this happen to them and what happened if it did?
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Adam80UK
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Joined: 08 Sep 2006
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PostPosted: 17:40 - 02 Apr 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote
Can still report you, makes no odds.

What did he do and say though? I'd bet my bottom dollar that he can't actually be arsed to do anything and I doubt he had any paperwork with him.
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Red Devil
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PostPosted: 17:42 - 02 Apr 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote
Coxy_UK wrote:
Can still report you, makes no odds.

What did he do and say though? I'd bet my bottom dollar that he can't actually be arsed to do anything and I doubt he had any paperwork with him.


"I'm reporting you for dangerous driving"

Looked like a paper pusher who had been waiting his whole career to flash his badge and say that line...
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Adam80UK
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PostPosted: 17:48 - 02 Apr 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote
That's all he said/did? I wouldn't lose any sleep over it!
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Red Devil
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PostPosted: 17:54 - 02 Apr 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote
Yeah I know it's not a big deal...just wondering if he does get a letter through with a court date there's no actual evidence so can he actually get done for it? Or can he just deny all knowledge of the incident?
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Adam80UK
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PostPosted: 17:58 - 02 Apr 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote
The only evidence would be his statement, however with no corroborating evidence such as a second officers statement, a witness, cctv, etc, it's not likely they would proceed with it.

Besides he has to do a little more than say "I'm reporting you for dangerous driving" and bugger off.
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Jayy
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Joined: 08 Jun 2009
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PostPosted: 18:33 - 02 Apr 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote
My brother and I took the supermotos off road last year. Went down some green lanes which was fine but then ended up going down a path to cut through some woods. As we were going down some steps, this guy comes round the corner holding a video phone up with a few dogs.

He goes to walk round me to video my reg plate and I grabbed hold of him and said don't fucking point that shit at me. At this point he told me he was an off duty police officer and I let go of his arm. He went round the back of the bike and filmed the plate as well as my brothers bike.

Told us he was reporting us for riding off road but after chatting with him and realising we weren't the usual little scrotes he said he would let us off if we didn't do it again. I had actually seen him before on duty after talking to him for a bit I realised.

He said something along the lines of "we're never really off duty".
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Rogerborg
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Joined: 26 Oct 2010
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PostPosted: 18:45 - 02 Apr 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote
Red_Devil wrote:
"I'm reporting you for dangerous driving"


Careless and Inconsiderate, maybe, more likely a Section 59 "bike ASBO" - a vile affront to justice - but Dangerous? I very much doubt it.


Red_Devil wrote:
Looked like a paper pusher who had been waiting his whole career to flash his badge and say that line...


Like as not. Well, they've got 14 days to serve a NIP - unless they go Section 59 - and they'll need to serve a Section 172 before that to get his identity. Unless he was daft enough to stop at the spot, which you're not required to do unless the alleged copper is in uniform.

Given that there's no evidence other than witness testimony, your 'friend' might want to consider trying the "The vehicle was not being ridden at that time and place, but it was being ridden by myself at (different time and/or place on the same day)" gambit. If the prosecution chooses to proceed on that basis, then you've already cast doubt on the reliability of their only witness.

Is just what I heard one time. Wink
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Daytona Paul
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PostPosted: 19:31 - 02 Apr 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote
Rogerborg wrote:


Given that there's no evidence other than witness testimony, your 'friend' might want to consider trying the "The vehicle was not being ridden at that time and place, but it was being ridden by myself at (different time and/or place on the same day)" gambit. If the prosecution chooses to proceed on that basis, then you've already cast doubt on the reliability of their only witness.

Is just what I heard one time. Wink


Perverting the course of justice is a very serious crime, quite often resulting in a prison sentence.

To report a crime I believe an off duty copper has to 'log on' temporarily to do it properly, which is why most cant be bothered.

rogerborg wrote:
Is just what I heard one time. Wink
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lihp
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PostPosted: 19:50 - 02 Apr 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote
As far as I knew, an officer who is not in uniform cannot report you for a road traffic offense.
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lihp
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PostPosted: 19:59 - 02 Apr 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote
Quote:
A constable in uniform who has reason to believe that a person he finds is committing or has on that occasion committed a fixed penalty offence may give that person a fixed penalty notice (section 54(1) and (2) RTOA).


https://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081217072749AAQK1hA wrote:

Identify yourself as a Police Officer by producing your Warrant Card. Arrest and caution the offender. Summon assistance. Deal with the fall out from the public who will try and release your prisoner whilst you are waiting for transport and back up.

You have no power of arrest out of uniform in Road Traffic matters.

You only have the off duty power of arrest if the offence is a serious one or an offender is fleeing justice, or attempting to pervert the course of justice.

A Special Constable, off duty, has the same power as a Police Officer under the same circumstances, though in reality, they'd be better calling back up before taking any action at all. Their lack of comprehensive knowledge of the law would be an impedimentt.
Source(s):
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Rogerborg
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PostPosted: 20:10 - 02 Apr 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote
Daytona Paul wrote:
Perverting the course of justice is a very serious crime, quite often resulting in a prison sentence.


Good heavens, what a suggestion! I was merely offering the opinion that there's no need to accept the prosecution's version of events if your recollection of the facts happens to differ.

Surely it's assisting the course of justice if you suggest an alternative time or place that would allow the prosecution to proceed, albeit with their rather confused and unreliable witness? Whistle
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Alex_B
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Joined: 15 Jul 2011
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PostPosted: 16:09 - 03 Apr 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote
Just read the thread title.
They're never really off duty. They are sworn in 24/7. It's all down to:

"Can I be arsed to intervene or not?"

If it's a gang fight, he will walk on by, wouldn't you? Laughing

If it's a poor sod and an easy nick and he's a total toss pot then he might grab ya.

All down to human nature.

BTW, that's official!
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The Shaggy D.A.
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PostPosted: 16:57 - 03 Apr 2012    Post subject: Re: What can off duty police officers actually do? Reply with quote
Red_Devil wrote:
What can off duty police officers actually do?


Suck my rancid plums.
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Old Thread Alert!

The last post was made 13 years, 275 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful?
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