unmarked police car

[markerlis]

is it legal for a single police officer, in an unmarked car to operate an in-car speed trap and issue on the spot fixed penalties, [3 points and �60 fine ]. my young daughter was very worried about getting into his car on her own to be shown how the device worked.it was a dark coloured car parked in an unlit school entrance at night thanks in advance markerlis.

[mrs_overall]

As far as I'm aware this is legal, as long as the officer was in uniform.
My sis was once in a similar situation. She locked herself in her car, opened the window a smidge and told the guy she'd drive to the local station and see him there. She wasn't happy about getting out of her car in a dark lane.
The desk officer at the station was fine with her but the officer who'd stopped her was less than happy.
I'd say safety should come first.

[{Dakota}]

I was part of an e-mail circulation about this a few weeks ago and now I'm trying to remember exactly what it said, however, the jist of it was that it's perfectly legal for you to acknowledge the unmarked car but continue to drive until you either get to a police station or somewhere where there are other people around (a petrol station was suggested, parking right infront of the shop part of it so the cashier could see you).

[meglet]

Markerlis if I were you I would write a stern letter to the chief inspector. Not in an attempt to get off the speeding fine, but in order to point out that the officers on his/her force need further training on this issue.

It is totally unacceptable in my opinion to expect a lone female to feel comfortable about being pulled over by an unmarked police car in an unlit area. I'm pretty sure that its possible to buy the roof lights they use so it could be anyone. The safety of the public is far more important than speeding (within reason of course).

[markerlis]

it was a male officer and he was wearing jeans and t-shirth

[Abdulmajid]

Save the waffle. NO THE ISSUING OF THE TICKET WAS UNLAWFUL.

Appeal and she will win.

[tigwig]

I work for the NHS and all departments got an email to say that lone females DO NOT have to stop for unmarked police cars as long as they acknowledge they have seen them. The email went on to tell a terrible story how a woman was driving and the car behind was flashing lights for her to pull over. She was suspicious and didn't, it gave a number you could call for free on your mobile to put you through to the police but I can't remember it!! (not 999). Anyway, she called them and they told her to keep on driving this other car was not the police and in minutes the cars were surrounded and it turned out this guy was a convicted rapist who had done exactly the same before.

[{Dakota}]

^^ That's the e-mail I was talking about!

Thank you tigwig!

[littlewoman]

For a police officer ( according to uklaw )to issue a Endorsable fixed penalty (which from what you say, is what you have been issued ). The officer must be in uniform even if they are in an unmarked police vehicle. To my knowledge most unmarked cars are normally fitted with blue lights (normally inseterd in the front grill or by use of portable blue light which can be affixed to the roof) Once they have stopped you and you pull over, they should (even in uniform ) identify themselves as a police officer by showing warrant card ) how did they know you were speeding ? if they have hand held speed gun ? they must show you the speed recorded at time of alledged offence and explain the mechanics of machine,they have to caution you befoe issuing ticket and point out offence. and the police vehicle marked or unmarked must be calibrated. The officer does not have to be with another officer to issue ticket if al points are covered. this is not meant to be legal advice but through personal expirence and I empathise with anyone who this has happened to.

[bigdubber]

i was pulled for speeding in my motorhome by a police man in a council van.
as the previous car he had pulled for speeding was leaving he then raised his speeding camera.....from the distance i thought he was a council worker.....plus ive been told "if true" the camera can give a false reading on high vans/trucks.....