Cops above the law?

[Darkboy]

I don't agree. You are making a sweeping generalisation of the behaviour of Police based on nothing else other than a handful of observations and second hand internet ramblings. Maybe there were legitimate reasons why the Police acted in the manner they did? You simply don't know enough to make the situation to make this call.

By using these powers for legitimate reasons they aren't "getting away" with anything. You can't "get away" with something you are allowed to do.

Exactly why do you think this? Can you not see that there are certain situations where a Police Officer needs to break road rules so they can effectively carry out their job?

Are you involved in law enforcement or what? whilst it appears your comments and negativity are an attempt to shoot everyone down because you have read the so called "Part 19 Section 305" and know evrything, most people here are only opinionating.... which is certainly not against the law!

[wishaw]

if there is a decent reason for breaking the laws us lowly mortals need to obay that is fine but we should be able to pull them up if there is no obvius reason. They would do the excat same for us.

[someonestolecc]

I think the point is this.

A trady using a mobile phone in a van needs it to do his job.

A copper using a mobile phone to do his.

What's the difference? None. The case is that the copper could be using the phone to save someones life. Fair enough BUT the law is the law so technically they shouldn't be able to do this.

We all know they can break the law to enforce is, but philosophically that is too arbitrary, that's why we have law enforcement (police) and a judiciary (check mechanism). If the police is allowed on the spot to say "well I'm breaking this law, to uphold this" it becomes self-perpetuating and arbitrary (more so than it is already).

Personally, I think we should all be given more leeway. If you crash because of a mobile phone you should get reemed. If you use it and noone else is around I don't think you should get booked.

[browny]

Are you involved in law enforcement or what?

Not involved in law or law enforcement at all. Don't particularly like or dislike Police either.

most people here are only opinionating....

So am I, the reason I am being so blunt with my comments I'm all for informed discussions based on reliable information rather than the heresay and conjecture that usually gets bandied around whenever a topic such as this is brought up.

I agree that they should be able to work outside the law if the need arrises, but does this mean taking the lives of others in their hands whilst doing so?

Undoubtedly not, the ruling even specifies they must take reasonable care.

We can all argue forever about what reasonable care means though.

[hungry6]

I smell bacons!!!

[V!]

All I want to know is... what's the diference between using a mobile phone in your hand (held to the ear and mouth) and the good old fassioned CB Radio... (held to the mouth)?

Correct me if im wrong... but wasn't it perfactly legal to use the latter while traveling on the road?

[TracidTrax]

Are you involved in law enforcement or what? whilst it appears your comments and negativity are an attempt to shoot everyone down because you have read the so called "Part 19 Section 305" and know evrything, most people here are only opinionating.... which is certainly not against the law!

hahaha i was thinking the same thing, this guy sounds like a cop and really doesnt know what his talking about

[browny]

Do you read what is posted up at all? I'm not in law enforcement or anything even remotely connected to it.

and really doesnt know what his talking about

Thats good coming from someone who posts:

no they arent under any circumstances,

[slow13dude]

All I want to know is... what's the diference between using a mobile phone in your hand (held to the ear and mouth) and the good old fassioned CB Radio... (held to the mouth)?

Correct me if im wrong... but wasn't it perfactly legal to use the latter while traveling on the road?

It's called MEDIA DRIVEN LEGISLATION, just like the hoon laws.

[browny]

oh noes, don't bring that up, then we will really get OT!

[pentae]

I've seen cops do crazy shit all the time. I remember seeing a patrol car packed with cops driving around like 18 year olds in a clapped out commodore on party night.. swerving around and just being dicks.

They are human as well, of course they abuse their power. I would too if I was in their position. But then again thats why I chose not to be a cop.

[predator]

Thing is, you notice and remember when a cop does something wrong (not that often), and yet if any other idiot does something stupid, you soon forget.

Simple situation.

[slyline]

Quick question?

We can all say cops can bend the law if/ when the need arises........correct. If we reverse that, does that mean us to (civillians) can bend the law when the need arises.......and is justifiable?

I'm usually ok with cops using there phones, i just really HATE 1 department from the force and that TRAFFIC/ HIGHWAY FULLSTOP for obvious reasons.

My 2 cents anyway

[Phil Megroin]

Quick question?

We can all say cops can bend the law if/ when the need arises........correct. If we reverse that, does that mean us to (civillians) can bend the law when the need arises.......and is justifiable?

I'm usually ok with cops using there phones, i just really HATE 1 department from the force and that TRAFFIC/ HIGHWAY FULLSTOP for obvious reasons.

My 2 cents anyway

Just what i was gonna ask..

If we were in the same position as a copper, voluntarily assisting someone in an emergency which required the use of a mobile phone whilst driving a car, does that mean that we are allowed to?

Browny - are there exemptions to civilians in such a situation or are the police the only ones applicable to such exemptions?

[browny]

Browny - are there exemptions to civilians in such a situation or are the police the only ones applicable to such exemptions?

Can't see anything at first glance but you can look yourself, it's all freely available info -> http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/rulesregulations...1.html?rrlid=21

I'm not an expert on this!

My guess is that a clause like this doesn't exist because then everyone would start trying to get off on technicalities. However I would certainly hope that if I was in that position, I would not only be shown leniency by the Police but assisted as well.

[wishaw]

I know a couple of times when dad has gotten an escort by the cops when he was rushing to hospital to work with Dr Victor Chang on emergency open heart surgery. The funny thing was that he was in overalls covered in paint at the time. The cop started off suspicious but that all cahnged when the story was confirmed.

Sure thats a bit of an extreme example but it came straight from the source.

[cowie165]

this guy ... doesnt know what his talking about

TracidTrax between one person citing legislation and a lot of people starting with "I reckon..." I think you're backing the wrong horse by saying browny doesn't know what he is talking about.

We all need to keep in mind that the lowest common denominator, as far as police driving skills go, is a lot higher than the same for the general community. Road rules must take all drivers into account - I'd feel very comfortable seeing most people on the road using a mobile, but if my grandmother tried it I'd be very scared. The road rules need to consider everyone's ability and if you take police aside as a separate group their average skill level would generally be much higher.

The same guarantees (provided through training competencies) don't exist for the general public.

[TracidTrax]

there r ways around this, cop cars should have their phone connected to the car speakers ie: get a goddamn "car kit" they have all these other gadgets in their car so y dont they have that or use handsfree, every one else has to obide by them rules y cant they?

[V!]

Quick question?

We can all say cops can bend the law if/ when the need arises........correct. If we reverse that, does that mean us to (civillians) can bend the law when the need arises.......and is justifiable?

I'm usually ok with cops using there phones, i just really HATE 1 department from the force and that TRAFFIC/ HIGHWAY FULLSTOP for obvious reasons.

My 2 cents anyway

When i lived in the UK (same laws apply) I was driving behind a Jag XJS which was all over the road and I mean ALL OVER THE ROAD and was prooving a real hazzrd to himself and everyone else.

I used my mobile to ring the police while tailing him.

I have the details of his car and told them exactly where he was, and were we were heading.

I gave full details of myself (as required) and made no attempt to hide the fact that I was using a phone while driving.

They did not arrest me. They did not caution me in any way.

Make of that what you will.

[**JaR**]

im in agreeance with alota other people who have posted in the way i think coppers do abuse there power, although i cant say EVERY cop does, just alot of MY personal experiences there has been cases where they do, eg. i got pulled over once and got a speeding fine, the copper took off after giving me the fine.... leaving a huge burnout mark down the road??? now umm, there was no other car in sight and i doubt he was going to another emergency like 2 seconds after getting back in his car.

the way i see it, they should abide by road rules like everyone else when there just doing normal patrols and such, just coz they wear a bue uniform and carry a badge doesnt make them any different than anyone else on the road, they should break road rules ONLY when its an emergency, not just because they feel like it and dont think anyone else will say anything simply coz there in a cop car.