Was in the car this evening approaching a mini roundabout police van at the road on my left. The driver is looking directly at me. He is in a transit. As I am on the roundabout he pulls out right in front of me to the point where the reflecticve strips on the van disappear under the front of my bonnet. No blue lights or siren on nothing. I jam on brakes and just stop with a skid look back at him as he drives past and he is out of the window with a big grin on his face! c*&t!!! Glad he thought it was funny! Lots of traffic around too so I couldn’t turn round and follow him. I wanted the reg number of the van and to report him!
I must say I was not impressed! That kind of driving could kill someone. I am sat here still in disbalief that a policman has actually done that to me. Never witnessed anything like it!
If its anything like the police van I saw on the A4 not long ago I’d say watch out they can’t drive for toffee. The guy I saw was undertaking, speeding and even moved into the inside lane without indicating cause a vehical to brake sharpish.
Complaining wouldn’t get you anywhere either, like when I was nearly knocked off by a fire engine. They just said “o well thats how they have to drive” complete bollox!
I’ve complained about 2 police drivers and each time they have admitted to the Duty Sargeant that their driving was dangerous. The duty sargeants then gave ME the choice of prosecution or Duty Sargeant unofficial punishment. Went for the Duty Sargeant punishment each time, Officers removed from driving duty for 6 months and given shitty jobs.
Many Police drivers think they’re the best drivers ever and their training enforces this belief.
I thought there were various grades of driving qualifications in the 'force? I.e. van drivers are at the bottom with a days training on how to swerve about a lot and make much noise, up to BMW 5 series cruisers to full on Traffic drivers?
I’m ashamed to say that (in my opinion only) the standard of a few Police drivers is appalling - having been the victim of one myself !!!
If this does happen to anyone and you feel the need to report it, you can get the reg, or get the series of 3 letters or 4/5 numbers that are on the sides or back of the vans / vehicles - any of these will identify the vehicle.
I would not put up with this and if similiar happens to anyone else then you should report it, especially if it has caused a near miss - after all, I would hope that if you witnessed any other person driving like an idiot you’d make a call about them too.
Most police vehicles (In the Met) are fitted with IDR’s (black boxes) and MDT’s (Mobile Data Terminals) that record every action, exact location and route, speed, etc, etc of the vehicle - so if they were taking the piss and not on a shout then it should be recorded on the vehicle. The only person that can access this info is a supervising Traffic Cop.
It starts with a patrol officer and they (along with ‘specials’) have the basic ‘standard’ course which really is a ‘booster’ of normal driving skills.
these are the people that are seen regularly and are the ones that drive the vans usually.
You then have ‘intrermediate’ which usually incorporates specialist depts such as firearms etc…
Then you go on to Advanced drivers which are Class 1 standard officers.
The standard in the Met is appalling with what i have encountered, most of thier work is in town and refresher courses don’t feature as regularly as they should…
The black boxes Trojan mentions would not be used in an event of a report of bad driving…they merely show speed and use of brakes etc, they don’t show you pulled out on someone on a roundabout or similar…
All TVP Roads Policing vehicles are fitted with in-car video which remains switched on at all times…this is a disciplinary offence if not adhered to and the tapes are stored for 28 days after being recorded on so if a report of bad driving against us is made the supervisory officer just pulls the tape…
bad driving is bad driving…a uniform doesn’t give you any protection if your bang to rights!!
I had a fag end come out of a police van window bounce on my visor and put hot ash down my neck… cue red mist and a fast, close pass to said van and “V” sign to the driver… If it hadn’t have been a copper I would have probably pulled them over and decked them…
Having served both in the Met and Thames Valley the driving courses are different although ACPO guidlines say different. The Met have had to deal with the courses in a different way due to the type of enviroment they work in. Although I agree with Porkscratchin that the standard of driving is probably poor that is mainly down to the pressures of resources and the powers that be wanting more drivers on the road. The met has more courses, yes they have basic courses which covers specials,pcso’s and new pc’s who all have driving licence’s they drive them with no extra training as such but have to adhere to a strict code of conduct.
They then go on to an irv course where they learn to respond on blue light’s and answer calls while driving at speed and they are normally the first vehicle in any pursuit situation however when the more experianced driver joins in they then take over. The course for irv drivers is three weeks so they do have to learn some skill to pass the course over and above any other driving knowledege they may already have. Traffic drivers and area car drivers do an advanced course which normally lasts four weeks and incoperates a pursuit management week where they are put into pursuit situations and have to take control of as the ground commander. The cars that they drive are all fitted with video and also IDR black box however this is one area I have to disagree on with porkscratchin, in the Met these are used in any report of bad driving and it is not just for a police collision. The only person responsible for this downloading is the traffic sergeant and believe it or not most of the offenders fear the traffic garage sergent as he has the power to relive them of their driving duties pending any subsequent prossecution or investigation. Police drivers are not above the law they are accountable to their actions and must justify them so if you are the victim or a witness to any bad driving you should report it. Although the driving is poorer this is not just in the met but in all forces across the country as a lot of young police drivers get into the habit of exciting chases and response calls. This is a problem that exists due to the management at a higher level.
“The black boxes Trojan mentions would not be used in an event of a report of bad driving…they merely show speed and use of brakes etc, they don’t show you pulled out on someone on a roundabout or similar…”
We have the IDR’s which is what you’ve explained above and we have the info recorded on the MDT which as I said, will include exact location, route and speed - this can be used in conjunction with the IDR info to investigate a complaint etc and will put any Police vehicle fitted with it at an exact location … so if a complaint was made against a Police Driver and it was considered serious then … They would be looked at in any investigation - we obviously have differing policies to you.
I’m not a job driver (have no wish to be) and I think Darylj will correct me if I’m wrong.
I wouldn’t say, as you have, that the overall standard in the Met is appalling, just that some do get through who are bad … I would say that it is no different in your force, or would you disagree
Trojan sorry forgot to mention MDT is used in conjunction with IDR of any commplaint the garage skipper is investigating. However what I will say is that having served in Thames Valley and the Met I would say that the Met are more severe and strict when dealing with it.
Weaver in regard to your insurance company, they need educating who they are supposed to be acting on behalf of. After all they are quick enough to take your money when you get the policy. I am sure they dont mention in their policy document they have an agreement with the Met for a bump for bump situation. If they did I am sure they would not have any customers, maybe you should remind them who is the customer.
