Police stories

[Yenzarill]

I was going to post this under "fine for unable to maintain control..." but I decided rather than send a thread off topic, I'd make a new one.

What Aardvark posted made me think of this.

I have little respect for several of the cops around here. With good reasons, I might add. I'm not generalising about all cops, there are actually a few very nice police in Young. But about half of them are complete arseholes. I won't take any excuse for the behaviour of these individuals in blue, because they are unreasonable. The other half are most amiable.

Now, I am a bit of a smart arse, and I'm more than familiar with http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au. I'm also pretty wordy, and I can use big words quite effectively in most circumstances, especially when I'm getting irritated - although when I'm irritated I never show it. I am always cool and calm looking. All that makes me a pretty irritating perosn to someone who i trying to intimidate me. I've never thrown a punch and I don't swear in anger. Even when my mate crashed my bike I just smiled and announced to the gathering crowd, "It's ok, I was sick of this bike anyway!"

The other thing about me, is I am actually pretty sensible with my bike. I know it is the fasted vehicle in town, I don't have to prove the point. I save 5000+ revs for when I'm on a windy road by myself. Around town, I cruise around slower than any of the P plate adorned commodores.

But enough about me.

The police here think I'm an idiot, when I'm quite sure I know much more about motorcycle legislation than ANY of the local cops I have encountered.

When my bike was on the road, if I passed a police car they would normally do a U-turn and pull me over for a "random breath test." No joke. If I was parked, they would drive past very slowly and stare at me. (Normally I dance for them.) A couple of the police here in young hate me, they think because i have a shiny green bike I must be a criminal. I have been pulled over so many times by one cop in particular more times than I can remember, and I've only had my license for a couple of years.

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When I first got my Ninja, I was pulled over and asked "Who's bike is this then?" when I explained it was mine and I had just bought it, I was told "Don't think so mate. Looks brand fuckin new.... we'll find out who owns it." After they did the rego check they let me go.

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Another time when my bike was being inspected the officer couldn't find the rego sticker (which was down on the swingarm on the chain guard.) Rather than ask me where it was located, he shone a torch in my face. IN MY FACE. Then asked me if it was registered with a small smile. He actually looked dissapointed and irritated when I showed him the rego.

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Another classic: "If there was a riding like an idiot award, you'd get it!" - this was a particularly warm greeting I recieved on one of my random breath test occasions.

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I ride around at night a lot, because I don't really get along with many people, I enjoy riding more than going to a pub and there isn't much else to do on a friday night. Once I was told that I had to go home, and If i didn't comply I would receive a $520 fine for "Not obeying a police order." I know that they have no right to tell me where to go when I am not even nearly reaking a law, but I decided I would just lay low and go to a friends house for a couple of hours. The cops saw me later, yelled at me and said I must go home right now. I had the shits, and told them that I would refuse. (I knew I was pretty safe on this one.) They took my details and explained that the fine would be sent out in the mail. (As I expected, it never came.)

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I often get accused of "Neg. Riding" because there "is no need to see how fast I can get to 50 km/h" I normally greet this line with a calm and collected "I'm sorry officer, I don't believe I accelerate dangerously and I certainly never exceed 50kmh."

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The cops have even asked a local social worker (with whom I am quite good friends with) if she has any suspicions that I am involved in drug running or dealing. Like. What the fuck. I don't even drink more than once a month.

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Once two of the worst cops gave my bike a thorough inspection, tapping the carbon fibre exhaust and nodding knowlingly, one of them even quoting the brand name on teh can to the other copper, which was greeted with more nods. (As if they knew what they were fucking looking at.)

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Then they tried to tell me that the legal tread depth was 3mm, and were going to give me a ticket. (I showed them the sticker that clearly stated 1mm for this model of bike.) They said that it must be an unusual bike model, with special legislations governing it. They seemed content to just take my license and sit in their car for 17 minutes while "runninga check on it" (I could see them sitting there talking, so I walked across the road to a BP and bought a coke while I waited.)

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Once I was riding around with a friend on a KLX650. He has a staintune pipe. It has a noise test sticker on it. We parked and some cops parked next to us to inspect our bikes. Looking at mine first, he noted that I had no stickers on my pipe. He told me that I had to have stickers on it. (Even though it's not that loud, mainly because I don't ride like a moron around town.) There was nos uggestion that my bike was loud, they just wanted it to have a sticker that told them how loud it was. My friend on the KLX, staintuen pipe, no baffle, has a noise test sticker on his. He also rides on the back wheel - a lot. But of course, his sticker keeps him safe. The police officer told me that he knew lots about bikes, and his brothers harley has a staintune pipe that has a sticker. He said I was silly for not having a sticker on my pipe.

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Another inspection with the same cops a couple of months after that one turned out to be interesting, it appears they went and did some research on bike laws. They pointed out my rego on the swingarm and told me that it was illegal, and had to be "adjacent the rear number plate." They were close, the law actually says "as close as possible to" - but I didn't argue the point. I just made up a bracket for it the enxt day and moved the thing. At least now it actually is adjacent the rear number plate. They also wanted to ping me for not having the retarded sticker on my after-market can. Luckily I don't think either of them knew which law I was actually breaking by not having it, so they just told me that I only get one chance and I have to get it noise tested within one week or they are giving me a fine. They they actually laughed at me and drove off. I went straight home and put the stock can back on, and ordered the sticker. Now i have my carbon pipe - now with sticker - back on the bike.

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When I've been pulled over for a breath test, I get the "Had anything to drink tonight?" line. Then I say "no, I don't drink." - twice this has been replied to with "Well we'll see about that."

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A friend of mine owns an XR600 (my old XR600 to be exact.) When he first got it, he was pulled over by two female police. They told him that on his L's he shouldn't be riding anything over a 250. They were adamant that was the case. Then they told him that he can't ride it. He asked how he would get it home, and they said "Well just hope we don't catch you on your way." They told him he would probably lose his license - and would be getting the fines in the mail. Now, he isn't like me, and caouldn't really stand up for himself in this scenario. So he called me quite annoyed and upset that I had told him it was legal when it wasn't and now he was losing his license and had a bike he couldn't ride. So I offered to go down to the police station with him. We walked in and were greeted by the female officer that issued the ticket. This is roughly what transpired at this point, in the police station.

Female Police Officer (FPO): "You again!" She snarled at my friend.
Me: Hi, I just wanted to ask if you were aware that bike laws have changed recently, and now you're actually allowed to ride some bikes over 250cc..." I said in my most diplomatic tone.
FPO: "No mate, you're wrong. It's 250. It's a 600. He can't ride that thing."
Me: "uhh... can you show me the law then?"
FPO: "Mate I don't have time for this shit." She was getting visibly agitated.
Me: Now I had the shits.
"Well, I know you were bluffing when you said you were sending him fines in the mail, because it doesn't work like that. He may have believed you, but I don't. It is also amusing to note that even though you obviously adamantly believe that he wasn't allowed to ride the bike, you suggested he ride it home. I guess it's lucky that it's legal for him to ride it - for both of you."
FPO: "You're interefering with police business, wasting my time, and you're wrong. I suggest you leave. If I see him on that bike again he better look out." almost yelling at this stage.
Me: (Most politely and quietly.) "I'm sorry, is there someone else here I can speak to?"
FPO: "OH WHAT NOW? YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH WOMEN?"
Me: (Restraining laugher.)

Just then a male police officer - one of the highway patrol guys popped into the room. I greeted him and asked what he knew about bike laws. Me and him had a discussion. He obviously knew she was wrong, but wouldn't correct her in front of me. He said he would personally look into the matter. With that, the female officer stormed out of the room in a huff. The patrol guy shrugged at me, and I gave him a thumbs up as we left.

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The other day I saw a couple of police that were off duty. (They especially hate me.) I greeted them with a smilie "g'day lads" and they told me "It's just a matter of time you wanker."

So unpleasant.

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A friend of mine dislocated a knee outside a pub. Police pulled over to see what happened, we explained that he stepped off the gutter awkwardly and popped his knee. We asked them if they could take him home.

"We're not a fucking taxi service" - as they drove off.

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Now, the most amazing part of this post? I'm not exaggerating.

I guess I do bring it on myself a bit. I have a habit of correcting people, and I don't like being condescended to. I also like to research things. But really, I have as much respect for people as they demonstrate for others.

It's a shame that a few wanker cops can bring down the reputation of a whole lot of good cops.

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Now, not to argue which group is worse, but I think absent minded elderly people are probably some of the most dangerous drivers around. So much effort seems to be poured into getting dangerous "hooning" young people off the road. Old people that don't look are more worrying for me than P platers that speed everywhere.

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End of rant. It's nice to share my frustration.

[Nanna10r]

Yenzarill i did a really long "Nana speech" in reply to your post, but deleted it. I'm not your keeper even if i think your manner of handling this matter is short sighted its your life n I'll leave you to it.
Coppers are just like the rest of us some good, some bad & some indifferent. But i do respect that they do a "shitty job that i wouldnt want to do" n for that they have my thanks n repect.
Cheers Brett

[JamesLaugesen]

*subtle thumbs-up as I finish reading the this topic*

[decoy]

i think you should apply to become a police officer in Young... imagine that

[bonester]

Hmmmmm a lot of that reeks of harassment. Thanks for the heads up- will be down your way in the next couple of weeks- Canberra. Guess one will have to behave oneself when down there.....

[Glen]

Pontikat, I think you've got me confused. I didn't weigh in to this one

Cheers

Glen[/quote]

[Nanna10r]

My apologies Glen . I'll edit my post.
Cheers Brett

[ttc]

move.

[icebreaker]

sounds like the joys of a small town.. well not sure how small young is..

but alot of small town cops don't like bikes from what i've seen.. i think alot of it is their own enjoyment.


I think you and Neka would get on well

Back in Hobart I used to love to give them a hard time, when I was in the right..

[Yenzarill]

Heh, Young has a population of about 12,000 (including the whole shire.)

I'm pretty famous as the "know-it-all on the green bike."

The cops in Canberra are great compared to here, I can't wait to move there. The other good thing about Canberra is almost all the speed cameras only face backwards from what I'm told. I've certainly never received a ticket while crusing around Canberra, never even been pulled over.

I'm not your keeper even if i think your manner of handling this matter is short sighted its your life n I'll leave you to it.

uhh... it's just some amusing anecdotes, I'm not having a hack at the law in general... I think I handle my situation in a pretty reasonable way.

[photomike666]

I'll have time and respect for the law when the officers who represent and uphold the law show they can do the same.

[Colette]

Time to move....OR hold our inaugural KSRC nationwide member get together in Young

[red_dave]

It is a shame that a few bad eggs can ruin the greater group.

I was extremely lucky to have dealt with 2 of best cops i've ever met when I had my accident just over the border. I have every respect for the shitty job that these guys have to do day to day but do get disappointed when I hear about things like Yenzarill, and possibly others, have encountered.

[I-K]

Coppers are just like the rest of us some good, some bad & some indifferent. But i do respect that they do a "shitty job that i wouldnt want to do" n for that they have my thanks n repect.

They're not doing it as a personal favour to you, you know.

[Ment]

Coppers are just like the rest of us some good, some bad & some indifferent. But i do respect that they do a "shitty job that i wouldnt want to do" n for that they have my thanks n repect.

They're not doing it as a personal favour to you, you know.