Policing by sarcasm :(

This happened last night, and I know it's daft but it's still winding me up this morning.

Was in the cage, off to buy fish & chips (yummy!) going down a wide road that's recently been changed to a 30mph from 40mph. Thought process was something like "looks like that car might back out...nah, it's stationary...hang on...those could be police stripes....how fast am I going? 35...what's the speed limit? 30...hmmm, coast down a bit or brake? what's behind me? Nothing. Sod it, brake, better safe than sorry." All this happened in a second or so and by the time I was at 30 the car still wasn't fully in sight and couldn't see if there was anyone in it.

So I bimble past the now plainly obvious police car hid behind a hedge, and out of the window leans a greying (I note this only as it says something of his age) copper who gives me a very wide, very slow clap. Ok, theres an outside chance he could have been applauding my excellent observation skills, but I still think that's highly unlikely and he was just grumpy he hadn't zapped me long enough to get a speed and reverted to sarcasm.

He could have made eye contact and nodded to indicate "just be a bit a more careful in future sonny", hell I'd even have been happy with getting stopped, a straight talk and a ticket. Somehow the patronising sarcasm and "getting away with it" is worse than being treated like a grown up and getting a ticket.

My cousin is a copper, as was my uncle, and I know they have to put up with right numpties on a daily basis. But so do helpdesk slaves. I know they put themselves in harms way for our protection, for little money on a daily basis, but so do firemen and paramedics. Why is it that of all our public servants, only police seem to rely on patronisation and sarcasm? Firemen don't - and let's not forget, firemen get all the chicks

PS. I can't in anyway condone any speeding in a 30mph. Even by 5mph, it was a fair cop. It might have been safe, but it's the law and I've much more support for enforcing 30mph limits rigoroursly than 60mph limits.

F.... Firemen...... He said firemen.... wibble!

I think I can see where you're coming from but in the grand scheme of things it all ended well... and the next time you go down that road you can do the speed limit and if he's there give him a really big, cheeky grin that he can't help but notice.

See if it bugs him.

Originally Posted by Ping

F.... Firemen...... He said firemen.... wibble!

Oh Ping I consider it one of life's great unfairnesses that when I went to the recruiting people they pointed out that a 5'5" bespectacled midget stood little chance of getting into the fire service. I could have made so many women happy....

Yeah, it all ended well, I was tempted to wave back, but then he'd have probably done me for careless driving or something

What a great way of making an impression

My 7 year old had some local plod at her school the other day pulling over speeding drivers. They were directing them into the school carpark and the drivers had to answer questions from the kids - i.e. do you know how many kids have been killed or injured outside of schools in britain...

[Luckypants]

You get in all walks of life. I think we notice them more with the Police because we have (rightly) very high expectations of them.

However, to balance this - I met a top traffic cop over the weekend.

Interesting you should mention that as Monday I had a lecture at the station by the Brigade safety officer regarding Fire Safety inspections.

We are strictly forbidden to make any sort of comment or gesture to suggest that the person/s are stupid for having inadequate fire prevention methods.

Even if we turn up to a place which clearly endangers peoples lives, its not for us to pass judgement.

Its the same when attending an RTC where somesones been drinking.
One side of you wants to thump him/her, but you get into serious trouble.

Why can't the police adopt a similar proffesional attitude.

[Stu]

Originally Posted by MiniMatt

Oh Ping I consider it one of life's great unfairnesses that when I went to the recruiting people they pointed out that a 5'5" bespectacled midget stood little chance of getting into the fire service. I could have made so many women happy....

That's why Ping still swoons at firemen

Anyway, I would tend to interpret it as a geniue approval for your correct speed/observation..

They are loathe to stop people so in your situation I would guess there's a big channce of misunderstanding.

Luckypants, +1

Oh yep, like you say, in all walks and there are good ones out there, my cousin & uncle for example (though second thoughts, I think my cuz likes the uniform just a little too much - in the same way the SS had very nice uniforms...)

And Gmonsta - I hadn't actually thought of it like that, yep it sure made an impression and I'm unlikely to forget the new speed limit down there now. I can't condone in any way speeding, I can kind of defend it (new speed limit, wide road, limit was reduced through noise complaints rather than accident figures, late-ish night), but it's really not worth it, 30mph zones are there for a very good reason. I suppose I'm just grumpy because half the time the police are requesting assistance from the community and there's a difference between policing the community and treating the community with contempt.

Last time I had a police officer looking most disappointed at not catching me speeding (he had obviously heard me coming down the straight at a fair old whack), I gave him a wink and cocked my head. He looked a bit miffed.

As MiniMatt says, I'd not risk a wave (althought I regularly thumbs down speed camera vans travelling the other way) for fear of being done for not being in proper control of the vehicle.

Don't get me wrong, a lot of traffic cops are sound. I just don't like the ers.

Originally Posted by Stu

That's why Ping still swoons at firemen

Ahh but I have so many other heroic qualities (before this thread lands me in serious trouble when the missus reads it, I'd just like to point out I'm already taken by the most beautiful woman on the planet. Sorry ladies)

Originally Posted by Stu

Anyway, I would tend to interpret it as a geniue approval for your correct speed/observation..

They are loathe to stop people so in your situation I would guess there's a big channce of misunderstanding.

Yeah, perhaps, I'm too damn cynical

Originally Posted by Stu

Luckypants, +1

+2