Secret Policeman - York

[Bubba po]

Originally Posted by subaruturbo_18 and they have twin turbo conversions so they are very rapid. The 335d's already twin-turbo, isn't it?

[Leslie]

I personally would welcome more traffic police on the roads, but in fully marked police cars.

I believe that the lack of them now has increased the number of bad offences which can affect other people such as badly maintained cars, dangerous tyres, drunk or uninsured drivers, and those who drive dangerously because they think they won't be seen at it.

A decent traffic cop would often let you know what he thought of your driving if it was not as it should be, but if you had the right attitude and were prepared to accept you were in the wrong he might just give you a bollocking and a warning. That sort of treatment was always appreciated by the public and it did promote better driving. Those coppers seemed to feel they were there to guide the other drivers rather than book them as soon as look at them.

I think that sort of attitude and behaviour would do a lot to get more cooperation from the public as well as catch the bad offenders who were dangerous to others and get them off the road.

Les

[billythekid]

For instance the first rung of the ladder (grade 5 I believe) is anything up to 114bhp. Then you go to grade 4 then 3 etc etc.
Each car has to be an exact bhp, with an exact spec. The insurance and the health and safety the government place on police drivers is massive.

Every force has its own rules, but most (not all) seem to be moving towards the following:

Basic - Drivers with no legal exemptions (civvy drivers or CPSOs). Limited to 2000cc. Pass requirements - short test drive with parking test.

Standard Non Response - Police officers, specials, CID, probationer PCs. Limited to 2000cc in most cases. These drivers have legal authority to use the emergency equipment, but this may be restricted by force policy for whatever reason, or the fact their branch vehicles dont have said equipment. Written test, eye test, operational test. 1 to 2 days depending on force.

Response - Police officers and specials. As above, plus response driving. Speed limit probably applies (+30mph above red ringed limits in most cases) No limitation on engine size. Written tests, further eye tests, 2 week course.

Advanced - Roads policing officers and the like. As above plus advanced pursuit and pursuit management, escort, high speed response i.e not speed limited. 3 weeks + extras.

After this there are often all sorts of "extra" levels, like VIP escort, initial pursuit, wide load escort, off road, stinger, response HGV, tracker etc etc etc.

HTH

[fatherpierre]

Originally Posted by pimmo2000

Friend of mine buys ex police cars from auction runs them 12 months on the MOT they come with and then sells them on at a profit. Well serviced, high spec seats but not one has ever been tuned. Had a few with the light relay still in lol.

For the cost of covering a few holes he reckons its worth it.

Engines are usually lovely and loose. It's just the suspension and brakes that need care before buying IMO. They get some hammer, particularly in London over all those kin speed bumps.

The motorway cars are usually ok, but I wouln't touch an ex area car as they will have been really hurt from day 1, and for 18hrs a day at least. The Vectras we used to have were awful for breaking down. Limp mode after a bit of hard use became the norm. Slow, too.

[pimmo2000]

yeah you see a lot of them with shock damage and such...

[Leslie]

I see the PC Plonkers are now advocating lower speed limits everywhere including limits of 10 mph.

I would never advocate the removal of speed limits where necessary but I fear that this bunch want to go over the top and impose limits which are unnecessary for the road conditions which will encourage or even cause motorists to unwittingly break the law. This is already happening with the 20 mph limits.

We have to stand up against the anti car brigade.

Les

[iamevilhomer]

What would happen if you brake tested a following police car

[Timwinner]

Originally Posted by Leslie

I see the PC Plonkers are now advocating lower speed limits everywhere including limits of 10 mph.



Les

Its the senior management, they seem to be puppets for politicians, I think (from my experience) the average copper thinks its needless too

Originally Posted by iamevilhomer

What would happen if you brake tested a following police car

You would get stuck on for careless driving, just the same as you should if you brake test anyone