Our Experience With Cops

[RubyRS4]

An interesting development from yesterday's Stagea cruise (our biggest yet with 25 Stageas! ... smashing my previous best of 16) ...

Don't go flaming cops boys, because they DO read these forums. There was one particular cop from yesterday who wanted to work with us not against us by the name of Neil. Now Neil knows his cars, he's quite cluey, so don't try bullshitting him when you get caught ... in fact, don't try bullshitting any cops for that matter. Neil and his partner went over with a 'cursory glance' of our cars and politely pointed out a few items in need of attention. He wasn't there with an agenda or quota, and nor was he there to stir the pot.

He did his job but gave us nothing to whinge about. We were all advised of the reprocussions of the WRX crash and police attitude to hoon driving. Neil and his partner simply looked under the bonnets, did a quick check and sent us on our way. Its days like yesterday that show the police we can enjoy driving within the speed limits and within our driving skills, and also shows us that the police are not there to ruin our party. And we also witnessed first hand that the police do know their cars and what they are looking for. They are not so much fussed about mods ... its the excessive mods and combined with hoon driving they are concerned about. If you ever get pulled over by Nigel the 'scot' (he's not bloody irish!) then come clean and don't bullshit him.

Kudos also to Kell who rode with me. Her reputation with cruises that she so long protected thru thick and thin showed yesterday. Sure, she may not own a public place, but she is the organiser of the cruises and therefore responsible as far as the police are concerned. The police know her and her cruises and she has a great report card with the police. Next time anyone wants to slag off Kell, think again, you might just want to be under her 'umbrella' when the police take note of cruises. The police do read these forums ... make no mistake about that. We have been put on notice. One SAUer has been caught out for slagging the police on here.

Kellie, myself and Nene have advised the police they will continue to be notified of cruises so we can maintain that good report card. We have Neil's business card and any trouble will be reported immediately. They have asked for our cooperation and in return we will be treated fairly. The police have asked us of who we think are the trouble makers and a certain breed has been named already, so it won't be repeated here (mostly unwelcomed tag-alongs). We have explained to the police that meet points are not disclosed due to unwanted tag-alongs such as the commonwhore club, but we will disclose cruises to police in future. Also, misbehaving and hoon driving will see you reported to the police ... we do that to protect the others attending the cruises. There is no point ruining it for everyone. How would you feel if the police picked on you due to another drivers hoon behaviour? Do we have 30+ cars checked over by police, or do we report that 1 driver who's causing the problems? We are not commonwhore drivers or ns.com

Make no mistakes. The WRX fatality has the police lifting their game on hoons. Sure, we can argue we are not hoons etc, but its difficult to differentiate thru all the different community of drivers/clubs on the road, so they are casting their net far and wide and filtering out bad behaviours and attitudes first. Be polite and be honest ... and you may just be surprised. We certainly were yesterday.

[end brown nosing]

Mods feel free to lock this thread if it gets out of hand ... but I'm hoping it will have a positive effect on SAU attitude here.

Edited November 23, 2008 by RubyRS4

[bezender]

hahah i thought this was going to be another IBTL thread..

i have had 99% good experiences with the 5-0. and the only times i have been hassled is when i have deserved it. <insert comment from scandy>. With the recent heat i have taken the SAU stickers off my car so i am no longer "a beacon of internet forum" as my mate put it.

i like the moral of your story roo, it is a refreshing change from the NWA attitude towards police from all the keyboard heroes

[2rismo]

Great result guys. It'd be nice if your attitude was shared by all owners of modified cars.

[RubyRS4]

hahah i thought this was going to be another IBTL thread..

i have had 99% good experiences with the 5-0. and the only times i have been hassled is when i have deserved it. <insert comment from scandy>. With the recent heat i have taken the SAU stickers off my car so i am no longer "a beacon of internet forum" as my mate put it.

i like the moral of your story roo, it is a refreshing change from the NWA attitude towards police from all the keyboard heroes

True. Wish everyone could witness first hand the effects of a good report card with the police. Kell's presence definitely made a difference yesterday and being polite to the police and giving them a map of the route and allowing them to have a quick glance over the cars (ie having nothing to hide) goes a long way.

[Madaz]

I agree with carl

[RubyRS4]

Great result guys. It'd be nice if your attitude was shared by all owners of modified cars.

Unfortunately, thats a perfect world that will never happen. Best to steer clear of the hoon element. Best we can do is have a positive attitude ourselves and hope even a handful will learn from it. A bit like Amway

Hoping when we get another motorsport venue alot of the 'hoon energy' will be used on the track.

Edited November 23, 2008 by RubyRS4

[chef_stagea]

+1 it will have a posotive effect on all driver i think, enthusiest or not... we had a good chat about it and think we just re instated the bottom like... wona b a wanker you'll deal with the re procussions... simple as that. i back roo 100% that if we didnt have kell atleast half if not more would me sent over the pits for what ever reason. if it makes you feal better by slagging some one on the internet youd wona have a good look at your self i rekn! well done roo

[Damo_R34]

Its been said a million times, the minority ruins it for everyone. You just have to prove your not that minority.

[Cubes]

As Nene outlined in the other thread. All hoods were popped.

Maybe fine for a Stagea cruise where the cars a predominately stock but for a Skyline cruise where a few have high mounts etc its definitely not wise to cruise under Kellie Umbrella.

Its great to have a relationship with the police and for them to show their presence possibly ensure tyres are all good but for them to pop your hoods and have a look is just ludicrous.

Its more of Defect Kellie cruise for those that have anything more than a stock turbo.

Funny thing is its usually the idiots with just a front mount exhaust and a little boost that cause the most trouble or the odd tag along VN commodore/falcons.

Almost a tad worried now If those associated with the police attend other events organised such as Dyno days etc if the police will 'attend' :S

This is ONE of the primary reasons I backed off from setting up SAU/SA as all it was going to turn in to was a Street Cruise club. SAU/SA Motorsport only. bah Nissan Datsun car club FTW.

[RubyRS4]

Its been said a million times, the minority ruins it for everyone. You just have to prove your not that minority.

Thats the message we got thru to the police yesterday.

[Vasili]

I got an awesome cop on Saturday, He pulled me over pointed out a few things to me, told me how to fix them then complimented my car and told me to enjoy it.

Quality stuff that was, its the cops with moustaches you have to worry about, they usually have attitude, ha ha.

[RubyRS4]

As Nene outlined in the other thread. All hoods were popped.

Maybe fine for a Stagea cruise where the cars a predominately stock but for a Skyline cruise where a few have high mounts etc its definitely not wise to cruise under Kellie Umbrella.

Its great to have a relationship with the police and for them to show their presence possibly ensure tyres are all good but for them to pop your hoods and have a look is just ludicrous.

Its more of Defect Kellie cruise for those that have anything more than a stock turbo.

Funny thing is its usually the idiots with just a front mount exhaust and a little boost that cause the most trouble or the odd tag along VN commodore/falcons.

Tsk, tsk, tsk ... I thought you knew your stageas Cubes.

How is it ludicrous for cops to open bonnets? They are traffic police and they've been doing it for as long as I can remember. You're just all paranoid.

The police asked us who we thought were the trouble makers and we mentioned the tag alongs. They have given us direct contact details for them and we will use that option when tag-alongs/hoons are involved.

Kell's cruise has its own thread, and your comments have been noted there.

You all have been watching too much Fast and Furious.

[burkill]

Great result guys. It'd be nice if your attitude was shared by all owners of modified cars.

it would be nice if all officers had the same attitude as this one.

i drive a stock celica sx. a girls car if anything and i still get hassled. i've been asked about the spoiler, and twin baby exhaust tips, that are stock. i was doing aboluletely nothing wrong either, i was being even more careful because of my location. i was picking up a mate from a pub.after i passed the breath test, he began hassling me. i'm sure there was a fight or something he could break up or get some of the pills of the street. police might know cars, but i am i being hassled over factory things ? i evn had to show him my camry motor. no pod filter or anything. my p plates are displayed perfectly, in the little holder thingy's. i dont think i even need to say i was polite and called him officer/sir, did all the correct procedures, like indicating, switching my car off, placing my hands on the steering wheel so he can see them.

but still, he was a cock, to say the least. i must come across as rude or something...

i'd hate to see what he'd do to a line driver or any other import.

i'm glad to see things are working up there + 1 to SA police force.

[rad100]

As Nene outlined in the other thread. All hoods were popped.

Maybe fine for a Stagea cruise where the cars a predominately stock but for a Skyline cruise where a few have high mounts etc its definitely not wise to cruise under Kellie Umbrella.

Its great to have a relationship with the police and for them to show their presence possibly ensure tyres are all good but for them to pop your hoods and have a look is just ludicrous.

Its more of Defect Kellie cruise for those that have anything more than a stock turbo.

Funny thing is its usually the idiots with just a front mount exhaust and a little boost that cause the most trouble or the odd tag along VN commodore/falcons.

Almost a tad worried now If those associated with the police attend other events organised such as Dyno days etc if the police will 'attend' :S

This is ONE of the primary reasons I backed off from setting up SAU/SA as all it was going to turn in to was a Street Cruise club. SAU/SA Motorsport only. bah Nissan Datsun car club FTW.

i agree its a great idea to do this with the cops as we can now show them that we are a car club and not a hoon club. but i believe that they should stick to checking the tyres and rego.. going under the hood is not needed when there only making sure were behaving...

[Cubes]

Tsk, tsk, tsk ... I thought you knew your stageas Cubes.

How is it ludicrous for cops to open bonnets? They are traffic police and they've been doing it for as long as I can remember. You're just all paranoid.

The police asked us who we thought were the trouble makers and we mentioned the tag alongs. They have given us direct contact details for them and we will use that option when tag-alongs/hoons are involved.

Kell's cruise has its own thread, and your comments have been noted there.

You all have been watching too much Fast and Furious.

Its not ludicrous to open bonnets but to invite a hood popping is another thing.

So there was Stags there with high mount turbo's etc and the police simply turned a blind eye?

A highflow or turbo sitting in its stock position with heat shields etc all over it is not counted.

[Unbalanced]

Maybe fine for a Stagea cruise where the cars a predominately stock but for a Skyline cruise where a few have high mounts etc its definitely not wise to cruise under Kellie Umbrella.

"predominately stock"?

I can tell you right now that my car was probably the least modded there cos all I've done is put on some rims and an exhaust. The cops were very reasonable and very lenient. As said, if they wanted to, they could've sent at least half of us to the pits immediately. They weren't fussy with wheels and didn't check a single exhaust. Also didn't mind turbo timers and boost controllers which I know some cops would be anal about.

Anyways, enough of my ranting. Point is:

Cops were checking on stuff that effects ours and others safety and well being, not illegal mods that make our cars go quicker.

[PREISS]

it would be nice if all officers had the same attitude as this one.

i drive a stock celica sx. a girls car if anything and i still get hassled. i've been asked about the spoiler, and twin baby exhaust tips, that are stock. i was doing aboluletely nothing wrong either, i was being even more careful because of my location. i was picking up a mate from a pub.after i passed the breath test, he began hassling me. i'm sure there was a fight or something he could break up or get some of the pills of the street. police might know cars, but i am i being hassled over factory things ? i evn had to show him my camry motor. no pod filter or anything. my p plates are displayed perfectly, in the little holder thingy's. i dont think i even need to say i was polite and called him officer/sir, did all the correct procedures, like indicating, switching my car off, placing my hands on the steering wheel so he can see them.

but still, he was a cock, to say the least. i must come across as rude or something...

i'd hate to see what he'd do to a line driver or any other import.

i'm glad to see things are working up there + 1 to SA police force.

exactly.

Im always nice to the police, always.

SOME police are nice back.

Its great some people are talking and building a relationship with the police. but how many ?

just because you are friends with a couple doesnt mean you wont get defected.

Its a matter of time.

Never been rude. never driven like a hoon around police. no record. no silly mods. Im going to regency for the 4th time this monday coming.

to the people saying be nice, etc etc etc etc. your time will come.

[Cubes]

"predominately stock"?

I can tell you right now that my car was probably the least modded there cos all I've done is put on some rims and an exhaust. The cops were very reasonable and very lenient. As said, if they wanted to, they could've sent at least half of us to the pits immediately. They weren't fussy with wheels and didn't check a single exhaust. Also didn't mind turbo timers and boost controllers which I know some cops would be anal about.

Anyways, enough of my ranting. Point is:

Cops were checking on stuff that effects ours and others safety and well being, not illegal mods that make our cars go quicker.

Understood that the police where reasonable and lenient BUT were there stags with highmounts?

[CRoNic...]

Half with you, Roo. It's good to see that there are decent cops out there. I, too, have had great experiences with the police when being pulled over, and each time I'm co-operative and don't give any attitude.

On that note, do all police have the same form of training in regards to defects? As it seems that some of them are real car enthusiasts who really know their stuff, yet others can't tell a tacho from a boost gauge.

I'm just worried that if I do get pulled over, and asked "Do you have a blow-off valve in here?" and I respond with "Yeah - the standard factory one" that they'll come back with "Turbo cars never came with blow off valves..." And yes, this has happened to me before and yes, I got defected (for this and other things back in my old car). The cop told me "Any sort of modification on the car when it comes out of the factory is illegal." But we all know, that is just crap.

I think if all traffic police were trained sufficiently, and the defects were given out for legitimate defects (looking at an exhaust and saying "Yep, that looks like it'll be loud" and whacking on a defect for an excessively loud exhaust is not right. How about they actually get a db meter and check it?!) All of our attitudes towards traffic cops would change.

But, in the real world, we will always encounter cops on a power trip, no matter how sweet/nice/agreeing we are with them. Sure, this one cop you encountered was great, but what are the chances of being pulled over by him again?

I once got defected for an 'aftermarket front grill'. Yes, I had 20cm's of mesh in place of a 20cm plastic grill with Mazda written on it. Is this counted as structural integrity? No. Was this a legitimate defect? According to Regency, no. This was simply a cop on a power trip. You hear about this shit all the time. “I got defected for not having a rear windscreen wiper” or “I got defected for my blinker blinking too fast”... and yes, they are true!!

If your car is defectable, and you're aware of it, then cop it on the chin. You're taking that risk, so you're going to have to deal with the repercussions. If you have a WRX with 22” Vault chrome rims on it, and scrubbing the guards every time you turn a round-about, don’t cry about it if you get defected.

But, if you want to keep things legal in the eyes of Regency, then that’s when Engineers certificates come into play. The issue here is, you get pulled over, you have huge brakes but you have an engineer’s certificate to prove that they’re legal, tested and are compliant to ADR standards. You show that to the cop, and 90% of them won’t even know what it is/care what it is. They will still defect you, even though, it’s legal! You go to Regency, you show them the certificate and they give you the tick! But, we’ve now wasted xxx amount of money just to get the car inspected by Regency all because the cop didn’t know/care about the engineers certificate. Why have them if 90% of cops don’t read them or don’t even know what they are?!

At the end of the day, most cops are great. Some are car enthusiasts and others just love the power trip. Unfortunately, it’s the luck of the draw to which cop you get pulled over by...

And you see A LOT more un-roadworthy rust buckets on the road. These are the cars deemed unsafe in a crash. I cannot see how an unsecured pod filter would deem your car un-roadworthy or dangerous in a crash... but then again, the law is the law. Regency is there for 2 reasons: revenue raising and car inspections.

What would I do if I was a cop for a day? I’d pull over every single Commodore with stock wheels on the rear and a huge RIP Brock sticker on the rear window and defect them for bald tyres. Am I being stereotypical? Maybe. These are the types of people who give a bad name to others.

And on a good note, the other day when my battery in the GTR went flat again, I got the RAA around. Turns out that the RAA guy was a ex-Regency inspector! He gave the GTR a quick run down and said it was great with no obvious defects. If you modify your car in a smart way, and stay away from all the huge chrome and body kits, you'll attract less attention!

It's good to see that SAU have a decent reputation with the police! Ns.com are trying to rebuild their reputation with the police, though.

And I'm sure after the 200 Today Tonight hoon stories and YouTube busted stories, that we all by now know that cops do read these forums and do search YouTube!

/End

Oh, and I have to say, it's good having Roo in SAU, as it gives us a different opinion/outlook on these matters (I'm not saying everyone else here is young and immature). Top job, Kellie and Roo!

[SLED]

Neil and his partner went over with a 'cursory glance' of our cars and politely pointed out a few items in need of attention. He wasn't there with an agenda or quota, and nor was he there to stir the pot.

I appreciate your efforts guys but I still have a reservation as to the ultimate agenda or why else would all bonnets be popped & regos be taken if hoon driving was the key agenda?

They are not so much fussed about mods, its the excessive mods....

You'll have to define that one to Roo.......I would think dangerous mods would be inside the boot (ie Nos) or externally (ie tyres, dark tint, & ride height). This is why Cubes & others are questioning the popping of the bonnets because ultimately, a young kid in a stock VN Commodore can do 160kph on Tapleys Hill Road also.

The ultimate focus should be on (sorry kids) young drivers and their ability to handle their ride & their testosterone. The WRX in question would not have a fraction of the power that some of the Skylines have but still capable of high speed & a death trap in the hands of the (usually young) hoons.

Falcodore owners are no different.

If they are freaked out over the WRX saga (which I'm sure they are) then focus on driving behaviours........cars don't go fast, people do!!