And who said it wasnt revenue raising.....

[sleekism]

Originally Posted by Fev

can someone make the media pay more attention to real crimes please? maybe it will open the eyes of the police comissioner to figure out that protecting society is more important than punishing society for minor infrinements which 99% of the time pose no threat to anyone...

Quite easily the best quote of the thread!

Lets see what has topped the media concern this week: A boy who had a party and caused some damage.

For frigs sake there are people getting raped, stabbed, murdered and robbed.

People say well if you complain don't expect cops to come help you if your in trouble. WELL THEY DONT!

I'm sorry but that is the truth. I have been in trouble and so have family and friends which I won't elaborate on but they have always been "too busy".
Ever tried ringing the police while someone is breaking into your house?? They will be a few hours later to arrest you for assaulting the robber.

I have an uncle who was a detective and he tells me the highway patrol are a bunch of (insert explicits). I know many cops are good blokes but remember they follow orders!

In my work I have had to do things which in my conscience seem like I'm being a t0$$er but hey you have to get paid.

The change needs to come from the top. Both parties are as worse as each other so what is needed is to get the media on side.

We need a p plater here to be tempted into a race by the cops and then the cop who is racing needs to run over someone. That will do it.

[Nikked]

and the police need to stop spending money on expensive GT's and such and pay for more police to be on the beat...

[DJM83]

Flash for cash lol

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by Casablanca

i believe that the people objecting to this are people that a) don't care about others safety or b) are doing stupid things on a regular basis just because they can.

You really shouldn't generalise.

I could be seen as one of the 'objectors' but disagree that I dont care about safety or do stupid things. If I did I would either be a) Out of a job, or b) Dead.

Having had a licence for over 40yrs and currently still drive over 400,000kms a year, I feel reasonably qualified to say that marked Police cars make people behave themselves.

But like others have said the Police force is grossly understaffed and underfunded.

If the Govt stopped giving grants to the 'Save the Gay Whale' groups they may have some to give to areas where it's needed

[RATT]

Speed isn't what they should be targeting, it's dangerous driving. And by posing as "P" platers egging on others to race is plane irresponsible. What if the other driver crashes and dies or kills someone???

[TadKa]

Originally Posted by GSfalcon500

I dont know if you would get another ticket or not for doing this , but if you do see a civillian car with p plates with flashing lights behind you just keep driving obeying the road rules as you go and dont stop for it untill they call for backup of a marked patrol car then stop . if they say anything you could say that you thought it was some jerk p plater playing tricks pretending to be police.
There have been cases in Australia of people pretending to be police then assulting people when they stop,so you could use this as an argument too.
I have personaly seen a honda accord euro undercover car failing to pull up a car in Brisbane the guy must have kept driving and the accord must have called for backup so what i saw was a accord behind a commodore then a patrol car in front so they kinda sandwitched him then he pulled over.

And of course it is a money making exersize . But saying that I do see a use for it in built up residential streets to catch people blowing thru stop signs and stuff like that.

Yeah exactly what I was thinking. If a car with p plates or older than 5 years tried to pull me over I would drive straight to a cop shop. no way would I pull over. We have had cases down here of people being assaulted or even raped because they pulled over to an imposter.

[fmc351]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

I could be seen as one of the 'objectors' but disagree that I dont care about safety or do stupid things. If I did I would either be a) Out of a job, or b) Dead.

Having had a licence for over 40yrs and currently still drive over 400,000kms a year, I feel reasonably qualified to say that marked Police cars make people behave themselves.

Over 400,000km per year? Over 1095km per day, 365 days a year. Hows that fit with log books and driver limits on compulsory rest breaks?

To accomplish 400,000 km with speed limits varying from 50 - 100km/h, and obvious traffic delays youd need to be behind the wheel 12+ hours per day, every day of the year.

Originally Posted by GasOLane

But like others have said the Police force is grossly understaffed and underfunded.

I agree, how much additional tax are you prepared to offer to fund it.

Oh wait, the tooth fairy can provide it.

[Casablanca]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

You really shouldn't generalise.

I could be seen as one of the 'objectors' but disagree that I dont care about safety or do stupid things. If I did I would either be a) Out of a job, or b) Dead.

Having had a licence for over 40yrs and currently still drive over 400,000kms a year, I feel reasonably qualified to say that marked Police cars make people behave themselves.

But like others have said the Police force is grossly understaffed and underfunded.

If the Govt stopped giving grants to the 'Save the Gay Whale' groups they may have some to give to areas where it's needed

i agree i was just trying to say that yes i've made mistakes and that i'm not perfect but also agree with the fact that they do revenue raise.

it's just the consequences behind hooning and stupid driving are hugely underestimated.

i do agree the police definately need more funding and staff.

it's just i'm sick to death of this backwards and forwards crap about how cops are doing the wrong thing all the time and that if they get you it's posted up and it becomes a cop bashing thread.

it ends up just being a complete round-a-bout, they are wrong then they are right i think threads like this should be closed becuase sooner or later it will come back to basically the same stuff said over and over.

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by RATT

Speed isn't what they should be targeting, it's dangerous driving. And by posing as "P" platers egging on others to race is plane irresponsible. What if the other driver crashes and dies or kills someone???

I agree. I have heard of a few stories of people being egged into racing or burnouts only to be nabbed. Its a low and dirty tactic to gain revenue.

[blueoval]

isnt gasOlane a truck driver?

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by fmc351

Over 400,000km per year? Over 1095km per day, 365 days a year. Hows that fit with log books and driver limits on compulsory rest breaks?

My bad,sorry 'bout that. (this is what comes of typing before thinking it out). try appx 950k's a day 5 days a week for 48 weeks a year. Closer 230,000k's

Originally Posted by fmc351

I agree, how much additional tax are you prepared to offer to fund it.

Oh wait, the tooth fairy can provide it.

Are'nt you forgetting the budget surplus we've had for the last few years, thanks to GST.
We're already paying for it, we just dont get our money's worth.

[rennie]

"What we're trying to do is get the message across that anywhere, anytime, any car could be a police car.

"You won't know whether the car beside you is a police car or not."

I believe that this is a good way to think about it, I know that when I am driving a bit fast or am gonna do something dumb I think 1 more time if I see a BA or BF nearby. I am only 19 and have lost my licence twce for the worst things. If I was suspicious of a cop I wouldnt've done them.

Yes I agree that there are better ways for the money to be spent, and I dont agree with them being so ruthless for minor infractions, but if they target more dangerous behaviour then it is better for the greater good.

I am not saying I agree with what they are doing or I like what they are doing, but I believe it will be effective if people are suspicious of more cars.

[Laminge]

Keep it on topic or I will close the thread

[Daymoe]

Originally Posted by fmc351

Why limit them to one thing? I agree, a bowls hat on the parcel shelf of a stocko would be a good touch.

They now have cars with ALL the trimming of private vehicles, I assume that means aftermarket mags, possibly stereos and whatever else fits the budget.

P plate is just one, and cheap too.

Theres a newish Holden Monaro with massive mags and these blue leds on the windscreen wipers that drives through my town every now and again, i thought it was a cop car and i confirmed it when i saw all the flashing lights on the thing and booking a guy for speeding. No one in my shitty small country town can afford a car like that.

[fmc351]

I dont see it so much as targeting minor infractions, I see it as policing what they see at the time, minor or major. The guy pulled up for 5 km oer, would also have been pulled over if he was seen doing Mach 3 in a school hallway (yeah I know, its meant to be absurd).

Originally Posted by GasOLane

My bad,sorry 'bout that. (this is what comes of typing before thinking it out). try appx 950k's a day 5 days a week for 48 weeks a year. Closer 230,000k's

For the record. I dont blame the truckie, bills have to be paid, some employers have a lot to answer for. Some drivers find themselves in impossible situations.

Originally Posted by GasOLane

Are'nt you forgetting the budget surplus we've had for the last few years, thanks to GST.
We're already paying for it, we just dont get our money's worth.

No Im not forgetting anything like that.

I earn 'x' amount each week, I have 'y' to pay out. I cant rob Peter to pay Paul. Both need to be paid, if there isnt enough to fully pay both, I need to come to some sort of compromise with both or reduce my other costs.

The surpluses are federal, while Policing is state. Education is pretty poor, health is in the same boat, the legal system is backlogged. You can only spread it so thin. And again, the surplus is federal, policing and the other things I mentioned are state responsibilities. Just because the fed has a surplus does not mean it makes it to the states for use.

Originally Posted by 90sFTW

Theres a newish Holden Monaro with massive mags and these blue leds on the windscreen wipers that drives through my town every now and again, i thought it was a cop car and i confirmed it when i saw all the flashing lights on the thing and booking a guy for speeding. No one in my shitty small country town can afford a car like that.

My other half tells me theres some 'older sharp lined wedge shaped hatchback' getting around the Sunshine Coast with its flashing lights hidden in the grille. She said she knows it when she sees it as she saw it pulling someone over but unsure what sort of car it was.

How accurate her description is is anyones guess, she can tell a Falcon from a Commodore, but not much else.

[SPK-250]

Originally Posted by GasOlane

If the Govt stopped giving grants to the 'Save the Gay Whale' groups they may have some to give to areas where it's needed

Thats it though. Screw the working class and look after the minorities who apparently mean everything to this country.

[dom_105]

As for the WRX with the P plates, pretty pathetic really.

Tricking people into breaking the law could only be seen as entrapment, and even though there is no such law against it in Australia, there should be.

[SLO-04L]

i dont know what the problem is i can spot an un marked cop car from about 100m away the aerial, rear louvers and the 4 lights in each corner of the front ad rear windows come on!, having 2 fully grown adults with facial hair in a 50-$60k car displaying P Plates is just going to make it more obvious,

[AUIII XR8 MAN]

Originally Posted by RATT

And by posing as "P" platers egging on others to race is plane irresponsible. What if the other driver crashes and dies or kills someone???

I guess they will have alot to answer when this tactic goes wrong one day. What speed do they reach before they stop it. They could alway put those unmake cars to good use by tagarting those rock throwing idiots.

[merlin]

Yep pure revenue raising - we need more MARKED cars. Unmarked do stuff all (and they are sooo easy to pick to the keen eye anyway).

"Dont do anything wrong and you wont get caught" is my most hated saying. May as well lay down and let the governmnet revenue raisers kick you repeatedly.

In NSW I think the 10% tolerance is very fair, don't know how you Victorians put up with your ridiculous tolerance though.

[sleekism]

Originally Posted by 90sFTW

Theres a newish Holden Monaro with massive mags and these blue leds on the windscreen wipers that drives through my town every now and again, i thought it was a cop car and i confirmed it when i saw all the flashing lights on the thing and booking a guy for speeding. No one in my shitty small country town can afford a car like that.

There was a Ford GT supercar in my Western NSW country town.

I have never seen one in my life and all of a sudden one just drove past the local Eagle Boyz.

It was a blue one and the funny thing was that it had been debadged and looked like it had a different bodykit. Definately a Ford GT the damn thing was so low it looked like I could step over it.

Are the cops buying undercover supercars???

Are they buying all the cars from NFS and fast and the furious??? Should I be on the lookout for an undercover cop car driving an Toyota Spinter AE86 or a 67 Mustang with an RB26DET??

[Wally]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

At last.

Some who has NEVER broken any laws anywhere

Well said.

[Wally]

Originally Posted by dom_105

As for the WRX with the P plates, pretty pathetic really.

Tricking people into breaking the law could only be seen as entrapment, and even though there is no such law against it in Australia, there should be.

My son was tailgated at night in a remote area on a twisty road, by a couple of cops. He panicked, thinking thugs were at him and tried to make a little distance only to be pulled over, car searched for drugs and him charged with speeding. I was upset that the police would do such a thing and made enquiries to a lawyer and the superintendent. The attitude was non repentant ... an almost "so what" and "if he didn't break the law..." response. Maybe we can't fight City Hall, but resentment is usually indelible once wronged.

[exrtnz]

I couldve got a ticket the other day up the sunshine coast ,I wasnt speeding excessivly but my device picked them up far enough away to get back under the limit. And havent had a ticket for 2years now.

[EBII Fairmont]

Originally Posted by Cuey

I think it's very simple in the end...

Don't break the law and you won't get done. This doesn't change anything. Whether it be for revenue raising or public safety, the law is the law.

Don't want to lose money at the casion...don't go in! Don't blame the flashy lights and good food tempting you to go inside, it's your own fault

When I was on my p's and first started driving, I used to borrow my brothers XF. Now the car was charcoal, lowered to the point where the rear wheels sat in the guards with an exhaust and windows tinted as dark as possible. The first time I took it out, my brother said straight out to me that I won't speed and I will get pulled over within minutes of pulling out onto the main road. The funny thing is that it did happen. Not just once but several times in the one night. Their reason was for routine breath test but I think it was due to the car and seeing if they could give me a canary. You can be driving within the law and still get a cops attention.

[Daymoe]

Originally Posted by EBII Fairmont

When I was on my p's and first started driving, I used to borrow my brothers XF. Now the car was charcoal, lowered to the point where the rear wheels sat in the guards with an exhaust and windows tinted as dark as possible. The first time I took it out, my brother said straight out to me that I won't speed and I will get pulled over within minutes of pulling out onto the main road. The funny thing is that it did happen. Not just once but several times in the one night. Their reason was for routine breath test but I think it was due to the car and seeing if they could give me a canary. You can be driving within the law and still get a cops attention.

There seem to be cars that attract lots of Police attention when they have a P plate on them, Skylines are certainly one of them.

[Mont5.0]

Originally Posted by dom_105

As for the WRX with the P plates, pretty pathetic really.

Tricking people into breaking the law could only be seen as entrapment, and even though there is no such law against it in Australia, there should be.

When you choose to blow off that 'p' plater at the lights, thats your choice. If he pulls you over- you scream fowl!! Deal with it people. Everytime your doing something wrong- you know your in the wrong! Just because they dont warn you first, does that mean 'entrapment'? As stated previously, "There are laws. You break them you get done."

[knighto42]

Nice use of an out of context quote in the O/P:

"What we find is people don't pick them as police cars and it's easier to pick offences like speeding, using a mobile phone or not wearing a seatbelts.

"We've found that people usually slow down and modify their driving behaviour when they see a marked police car.

Sounds like those horrible cops just want to write tickets... until you read that he then went on to say that:

"What we're trying to do is get the message across that anywhere, anytime, any car could be a police car.

"You won't know whether the car beside you is a police car or not."

Basically what they're trying to do is push the message that any car could be a cop car in the hope that people might alter their driving habits permanently instead of just "when they see a marked police car".

I think you'll find that the amount of cars in this 'undercover fleet' is probably nowhere near as high as they're making it out to be, and that they're out there in the press plugging it so that we'll think there's more of them than there actually are.

As was said earlier - surely the media should be covering the real issues?

[vanman_75]

1 i got a couple years ago .follow shitbox magna at close to midnight for around half hour at 90 klms an hour and had my chance to get around did the old 5 + over thing to get around a bit quicker ie safer . as dropping down to legal posted speed you guessed it disco lights. i accept when i do things wrong, but dont take to kindly to this aproach to law enforcement . any other stupid eccessive things i do i wear but !

[XA-Coupe]

I wonder how many ' I am an above average driver ' types die each year in cars compared to people getting murdered?.... far more on the roads. Vic averages about 70-80 murders a year and 350 or so road deaths... an untimely death is an untimely death and we lose more on the roads by a huge factor.
The government loves the revenue but as long as people kill themselves ( and others ) with such regularity on the roads they will always have all the justification they ever need.