Motorist Reports Self to Police

[Peteaud]

I want to know the jersey as well.

 

[benb]

If the police had their blue lights on, it suggests they stopped the motorist.
Would they bother putting them on if the motorist stopped by them?

 

[raleighnut]

If the police had their blue lights on, it suggests they stopped the motorist.
Would they bother putting them on if the motorist stopped by them?

Safer than Hazard lights I'd say.

 

[Cyclopathic]

I've had a driver self report after smashing into my back wheel. I got off my bike with a somewhat confrontational demeanour and he reversed off at speed. I reported it to the police to only to hear that he had reported it himself and admitted fault. A copper came around to visit me, explained that he had fled in fear and was willing to pay for a new wheel. I didn't take the mic and just got a cheap replacement that was about the same as the one he'd broken and passed the receipt on through the police officer.
It was all handled rather well and sensibly. I was impressed with the way the police handled it. No fuss or drama, just kept everyone happy.

 

[Drago]

Wouldn't he have been arrested as well if that was the case?

Depends how arsed the bobbies were, and if that is indeed what he was wearing anyway. I'd settle for a quiet words in one's shell like myself.

 

[Cyclopathic]

Depends how arsed the bobbies were, and if that is indeed what he was wearing anyway. I'd settle for a quiet words in one's shell like myself.

Are these "polite" tops illegal? I'd wear one if it means cars giving a bit more room.

 

[Drago]

The laws a funny thing. Much of it comes down to 'mens rea', on intent. If you're wearing one intending people to think you're a copper and thus treat you better on the road then you're committing the offence.

Additionally, as a police cyclist and cycle trainer I reckon it's a crock - motorists don't treat you any better, and a small minority may even single you out for special treatment.

Our local policy is a quiet word of education, as most offenders genuinely don't realise it's naughty to give another the impression 'by word or deed' they're a copper. To my knowledge everyone thus spoken with has repented.

 

[spen666]

Are these "polite" tops illegal? I'd wear one if it means cars giving a bit more room.

totally legal - offence is impersonating a police officer.

It is hardly impersonating a police officer to have the word polite on a hi viz vest.

If a police officer suggested to me I shouldn't be wearing one (not that I have one), he would be told politely where he could go.

Don't like people wearing it? - tough, its not illegal at all

Think otherwise, then prosecute me

 

[Cyclopathic]

totally legal - offence is impersonating a police officer.

It is hardly impersonating a police officer to have the word polite on a hi viz vest.

If a police officer suggested to me I shouldn't be wearing one (not that I have one), he would be told politely where he could go.

Don't like people wearing it? - tough, its not illegal at all

Think otherwise, then prosecute me

Cool beans.

 

[CopperBrompton]

Hmmmmmm???

It strikes me that it could make for an interesting case.

"Any person who with intent to deceive impersonates a member of a police force or special constable, or makes any statement or does any act calculated falsely to suggest that he is such a member or constable, shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or to both."

Clearly the only reason for wearing this design is to deceive drivers into thinking you're a police officer in the hope this will influence their driving. Yet once someone gets close, the deception ends. I would say the offence is committed when you put on the clothing, but the chances of being prosecuted for it are very low.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Taken from another thread where there was a discussion about horse riders wearing these vests:

There's enough of these hi-vis jackets being worn that there is no shortage of people the police could charge so this guy's opinion could be tested in a court. The fact that no-one has yet been prosecuted suggests his opinion isn't shared by those who actually work the streets.

His view certainly isn't shared by ACPO's Lead of Mounted Policing, Commander Robert Broadhurst from the Metropolitan Police, who stated:

“Provided there is no deliberate attempt to impersonate Police there is very little we can do other than perhaps ask them to ensure the word looks more like polite than police. Assuming they have no items of police uniform it is unlikely the public will mistake them for us, but if they do it will just be another High Visibility Patrol which should add to the reassurance picture.”​

GC

 

[spen666]

It strikes me that it could make for an interesting case.

"Any person who with intent to deceive impersonates a member of a police force or special constable, or makes any statement or does any act calculated falsely to suggest that he is such a member or constable, shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or to both."

Clearly the only reason for wearing this design is to deceive drivers into thinking you're a police officer in the hope this will influence their driving. Yet once someone gets close, the deception ends. I would say the offence is committed when you put on the clothing, but the chances of being prosecuted for it are very low.

How is it impersonating a police officer?

A high viz vest is not unique to a police officer unlike say the uniform.

The word polite does not suggest the wearer is a police constable.


Where do you draw the line?


no one being allowed to have anything on they person that contains any of the letters in the word "police"?



Incidentally, this is not just my opinion, I have spoken about this issue with senior police officers (ACPO level) who confirm no offence is being committed by wearing such a vest

 

[Drago]

People don't wear Sillitoe tartan with the word 'Polite' on it because they're pretty fluorescents.

They wear them with INTENT to DECEIVE other road users that they are POLICE OFFICERS in the hope that those road users then behave better towards them. All the points to prove for the offences are met.

Westshire here is pretty rural and last year the lanes were heaving with horse riders wearing these and a lot of complaints from busy bodies soon followed. Our guidance comes from our Force solicitor via our DCC, himself a senior ACPO officer, and is to deal with the matter by way of words of advice where that advice is likely to be responded to positively.

If you can explain how an act of WORD or DEED with INTENT to DECEIVE ANOTHER into thinking that person is a POLICE OFFICER or SPECIAL CONSTABLE does not complete the offence then i'm sure our legal advisors would love to hear your reasoning, because the definition of the offence is perfectly met.

"(1)Any person who with intent to deceive impersonates a member of a police force or special constable, or makes any statement or does ANY ACT CALCULTATED TO FALSELY SUGGEST that he is such a member or constable, shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or to both."

 

[Brains]

Several years ago Mrs Brains and I arrived at Reading Station on our way to a bike tour.
The place was swamped with Police from a number of different forces as their was some local football match starting and trouble was expected.
We were dressed in identical black cycle helmets, had identical hi-viz rain jackets, black leggings and were pushing bikes with identical yellow Ortlieb panniers.

We were amazed at how many Police nodded to us in recognition of being "one of their own", we had no problem pushing our bikes through the crowd and were let out of the potential Kettle they were forming without so much as a by your leave.

So it does not take much to fool people, even the Police, into thinking at first glance that you are one of them

 

[Mugshot]

Many years ago my mate was stopped by the polce and warned that he would be in trouble if he continued impersonating an officer.
He was wearing a fishtail parka with a target on the back, dog tooth trousers, a white Fred Perry t shirt and bowling shoes