Police on AFF

[Laminge]

I personally dont like the concept of active cops on cruises, we just dont need them

I do like us being jointly involved in motorsport events, fund raisers and show and shines.

Thoughts on that, would be interested to know

[FNQracing]

Originally Posted by Casper

I said yes but on conditions. They would have to be a Ford and car enthusiest so that they are not just seen as a "Copper" but as someone who is on our side but also can help with the legal answers.

Alow me to disagree. I think it would be a great idea. Does'nt matter what they drive/like. They can bring many good things to a forum like this. Provide their insights, ideas, and opinions. I think it may open a few eyes to some people.

There's a HWP guy who frequents aus.cars and for the most part, his posts are very informing. Some controversial, some downright looney. But informative just the same.

Sure you get you fair share of posters wanting to take their anger out on the resident copper, but most are reasonable and polite.

[RED_EL_XR8]

Originally Posted by Laminge

I personally dont like the concept of active cops on cruises, we just dont need them

I do like us being jointly involved in motorsport events, fund raisers and show and shines.

Thoughts on that, would be interested to know

Sounds on the money to me. A healthy relationship with police is a great thing to have, on the same token responsible adults dont need visible authority figures to be able to behave. Some appropriate shared events would show RESPECT for each each side.

As for off duty I dont see anything in the AFF terms and conditions that excludes someone of any profession or group, except volvo drivers. Hell dammit we even accept volvo drivers. :hihi:

[lv619]

Yeah awsome idea... how about we get that Petite guy to be involved on these forums (now wouldn't that be great). ROFL.

[XA-Coupe]

Originally Posted by FFOracing

There's a HWP guy who frequents aus.cars and for the most part, his posts are very informing. Some controversial, some downright looney. But informative just the same.

Sure you get you fair share of posters wanting to take their anger out on the resident copper, but most are reasonable and polite.

I used to frequent aus.cars when I was still in the job ... they were ( are ??? ) a bunch of whining little snots who always thought they knew better. I haven't been on there in over 5 years and feel all the better for it.
I know who the HWP guy is and I commend his stamina ...it:

I will tell you one thing ... no cop who is off duty is really going to stick their neck out in a semi official capicity. Either they are one of us in that they are here for the fun and cruises ... or they are in an official capacity and will act as such.
We have one NSW copper and at least 2 Ex Vic Coppers here .. and god knows who else is watching and not fessing up. Frankly I wouldn't expect the NSW copper to get involved in any way except recreational. I am sure he knows the consequences of a misinterpreted statement.

I would really like to see a liason officer who really isn't involved at all ... someone we can talk to prior to meets to smooth things over with the police in the districts we pass through ... assuming we don't do anything to bring attention to ourselves.

There are times I wuld love a tame TMU car with us due to the way some people behave on cruises .. but really .. we are adults ... if you come on an AFF cruise and misbehave and get caught ... tough...at the very least you will get some sort of sanction here anyway for bringing our club into disrepute.

[RSgerry]

sadly, i had to say no. i respect the police and the job they try to do, however, there is too much interference from politicians and policy makers. a few years ago, had you run a poll that suggested the introduction of speed cameras to be used only in accident black spots and that 100% of any revenue raised would be returned to raod safety, most of us would have said that it was a great idea. any chance that a buck can be made from this exercise, and i have no doubt that the snivelling sh*tbags we elected would ensure that our liaison officer would end up becoming a snoop.

sorry to sound so negative, but i just cant trust politicians.

[RSgerry]

Originally Posted by RED_EL_XR8

Hell dammit we even accept volvo drivers. :hihi:

settle down!!! next thing you will be saying camry drivers are alert, intelligent and considerate road users.

sheeeeeesh.

[SpoolMan]

Originally Posted by LTDHO

Any ford enthusiast is welcome in the forum regardless of their profession.

Originally Posted by Laminge

I think we are all old enough to know right from wrong.

Originally Posted by XA Coupe

.. but really .. we are adults ... if you come on an AFF cruise and misbehave and get caught ... tough...at the very least you will get some sort of sanction here anyway for bringing our club into disrepute.

That sums it up..
if we can travel every day of the week as a part of our life without needing the police....surely we can do this as group without getting or needing the police.. :eclipsee_
LTDHO, is right regardless of anyones job, should be able to join in as a Aussie Ford Forum member like the rest of us...being a police officer shouldn't be a issue..

[XBeast]

I think it`s a good idea, but would like to see a few ground rules administered for him/her,
It only takes 1 bad cop to rein a FF cruise/day,

[RED_EL_XR8]

Originally Posted by RSgerry

settle down!!! next thing you will be saying camry drivers are alert, intelligent and considerate road users.

sheeeeeesh.

It was an example, lets not get carried away. hey!! : : :

There would be no need to have our hands held.

[DRU842]

I would suggest that we treat the Police on the Forum or crusies, as we would any othe AFF user i.e how we would like to be treated - respect.
My suggestion would be for a suitably qualified & registered RTA (in NSW, other states as appropriate) Engineer to be approached as an 'AFF Patron'. Finding the balance between general advice on modifications & professional 'paid' for advice may be difficult but worthwhile to both parties.
Perhaps a similar approach to a 'car entusiast lawyer' (I've noticed a few adverts in Motor) would solve those 'legal issues' that are raised from time to time.

[Captain Stubing]

Just because a member may be a copper, doesn't mean they're aware of all the in's and out's of rules regarding mod's, though they may have access to some of the legislation involved. Department of transport has the full access to this info.

I'm a copper, but for the last 13 yrs have been working in a specialised area, I've got most of my knowledge from finding out from the DOT how big an engine I can put in this car. I don't know how to fill out a ticket, and what to do with it afterwards, without asking a first year constable! I know how to avoid tickets, I've even paid for a couple of those bastard 'revenue raisers"!

If you have coppers on your cruises, then it's a 100% chance that they're there for their love of their cars. Do you think they'll get paid overtime for writing tickets in their own time? Doesn't happen! I had a copper book me a few years ago, and in the time since, I've taken so many chances to demean him, when he has to ask me to do things for him. Couldn't get out of the fine, but I made sure he, or his workmates, doesn't forget it.

If you wanted a 'Liason Officer', I think it'd be a big ask, even though the cruises aren't promoting reckless behaviour, there's always the occasional exception, and the appointed 'representative' may be put on the spot....

Why not let the coppers just go on cruises as normal people leading normal lives, if they have a love of their car?

Originally Posted by swanny

Why not let the coppers just go on cruises as normal people leading normal lives, if they have a love of their car?

there is no problem with that, but when someone says that we should basically have a patrol car with a cruse, i really dont like that idea and i think there skills can be best placed elsewere.

but if there is a coppa in the group, who is off duty and lubs fords and comes on cruses as him self and not the LAW there is no hassle with that!!!

[Captain Stubing]

I don't think it'd be an easy thing getting a marked car to go on cruise, so that idea could be practically wiped out, I think!

[FNQracing]

Official Police cars on cruises is not going to happen, ever. They have other things to do. They would not be the slightest bit interested in attending in an official capacity.

So for those who think that they would even consider comming along, well it aint going to happen. We like to think we are important enough, but we're not.

Even if they do express interest in attending officially, then I am against that idea, for reasons others have already said. We are adults and do not need any supervision.

As for participating on the forums, completely different. I say its a good idea. Preferably someone from HWP.

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by FFOracing

Official Police cars on cruises is not going to happen, ever. They have other things to do. They would not be the slightest bit interested in attending in an official capacity.

So for those who think that they would even consider comming along, well it aint going to happen. We like to think we are important enough, but we're not.

Even if they do express interest in attending officially, then I am against that idea, for reasons others have already said. We are adults and do not need any supervision.

As for participating on the forums, completely different. I say its a good idea. Preferably someone from HWP.

Exactly right, although a HWP XR8 could look pretty cool. For my formal i had a BA GT and a marked XR8 in front of it...........and would you believe a Santa's sleigh behind me (it was a Christmas parade going up the main st and we sorta got in it somehow).

[sbutler]

I have a friend thats pretty high up in the Police and he's got a T3 with a bit of work done to it,he's been on many run's, and while we dont go nuts we still have some fun in them. If your gonna got nuts I think your looking for trouble........

[dansedgli]

As long as he joins as an enthusiast and not as a cop out to get us then I think its okay. I wouldnt be the one inviting a cop on board though, asking them to come on is asking for trouble.

[Stav]

Wherever there are criminals cops are welcome. If cops who are enthusiasts join the forum well thats great too. Cops are people too. But what we need from all proffessional backgrounds is someone out to enjoy the forum and not gung ho fools.Damage can be caused by any idiot in any proffession to the forum. If the guy is ok then why not? If he is an idiot ban him same as anyone else. We are a peacefull forum where aggressive and alienating behaviour is not tolerated.

[banarcus]

Originally Posted by dansedgli

As long as he joins as an enthusiast and not as a cop out to get us then I think its okay. I wouldnt be the one inviting a cop on board though, asking them to come on is asking for trouble.

Well what is that supposed to mean? Do you mean inviting on duty coppers to cruises? Even if the invitation was there, there is no way an on duty cop can go to a cruise. On the other hand, what if someone invited an off duty cop to a cruise, is that asking for trouble?

[dansedgli]

I mean on the forums, We dont want cops just out to get people for things they have stated on the internet, Im sure a lot of us could be in strife if the police decided to patrol this site with the intent of finding defects and handing out canary's and EPA requests.

It happens on Nissan forums so why wouldnt it happen to us.

[XA-Coupe]

It probably already happens Dan. It's part of why we police ourselves fairly strictly.. to try to make it not worth their while to harass us as we aren't doing anything wrong. That and there is a certain civic responsiblity in enjoying ourselves without endangering / annoying others.
I read the Nissan forums last week and these guys just draw attention to themselves. Until they learn to keep a lower profile they will always be a target.

[XRQTR]

and it does, all forums would be regularly checked not just this one or Nissans, and u dont need to invite them officially for them to look us over keep in mind it is a free and public forum nothings in their way even now. I think that having the guys here is always a good thing no need tho to have ifficial liason as most of the guys i have noticed tend to post on some of the trickier stickier threads i js hope that they will continue to do so even tho they have had to out themselves to us.
Other than that keep it clean
Food for thought :lookedat:

[xdc351]

I have read through everything on this thread and I have to say no.

If an officer was to post here on an official basis they would open themselves and the entire force to a potential lawsuit. Worst case senario they would have to take the blame for any issues. Forget us for a second, would anyone want to go to sleep knowing they ruined the life of someone trying to help us?

I think we all know the answer to that one.

As far as Police posting as themselves, that to me is not even worthy of a post. Anyone should be able to post here, period. How many complain police single particular groups out? If we did the same we are no better, everyone deserves the right to participate.

[XRchic]

Well I too read the entire thread. And I decided to vote NO. But its not absolute. I would have liked some more options on that poll....

As to the actual question whether we should have police officers as reps on AFF...NO. I dont think we need police officers in their official capacity as reps on this site or on cruises. I think a police officer answering our questions in an official capacity on this forum would be dangerous legally, as others have said. And I dont think that a police officer would find the idea appealing myself, but who knows?

I also dont like the idea of police officers in official capacity coming along on cruises at ALL. I dont care if I do nothing wrong, they make me nervous. Perhaps there are those of us who wont admit, but I am happy to admit I am uncomfortable when a police officer in official capacity is driving near me.... whether I am behaving or not.... Maybe its just me.

However, to go off the point of the question... I have NO problem at all with any Ford enthusiast who happens to work as a police officer posting on the Forum or going on cruises like anyone else. And sure, such a person may be able to help out with basic traffic law questions - that could be useful and not particularly dangerous legally. In an unofficial capacity, I would encourage it. Police officers are human just like us, and I am sure many of them love cars and Fords just like us, and Im sure they are not all angels either.... and you have to pity them if they have to drive around in Commodores all day, right????

So, in official capacity as reps on the Forum and on criuses? No.

In unofficial capacity? Id welcome them just like anyone from any profession. Having a passion for Fords is criteria number one... profession comes way down the list...

Jac

[Pearly]

I also just read through the whole thing, and I have to say no.

As with the last 2, if an officer is involved with the forums because he/she is a Ford/ or even just an auto enthusiast, I welcome them and am glad to have them onboard, but if it's to 'police' us, then no. Most of us are mature enought to behave, and not need to be supervised. If you need supervision, then you shouldn't be on our cruises.

As Jeff said, we are already strict on ourself to prevent a need for it.

[InitialD]

Ok Now ive read the original post and Ive come alittle late into this conversation but here is my 2c worth.

My answer is NO

I dont belive that having a Police rep on the forum to answer our questions would be any use. I mean lets say I want to put something on my car like NEONS, now ive asked numerous cops and allways get diferent responces (older cops mainly say "NO" where the younger ones say "Think you can, dont see why not"). Now thats not much use.

Also I didnt think a police rep would wanna be giving out answer to questions as if they were wrong they could get in some hot water for it? Meaning I ask on AFF "Could I fit a undercar neon set" and im told yes I can, then later get pulled up for it and told its illegal, and you get my point.

But if someone of the police profession wanted to be a regular member? welcome

[tickford2001]

Enforcement on the roads and now on the forums also, absolutley NO WAY!!!

[au-steve]

just make sure its not the guy who pulled me over for having a bit of my p-plate in the blue part of my windsheild, 3 demerit points later and my licence is now suspended. this was on christmas eve as well, i cried. was just on my way to the croydon, all full of christmas spirit, and an empty bank account from being too generous, then a 200 dollar fine and loss of licence.
i was nice to him the whole time as he bent me over and dished out some christmas spirit of his own. but still no 'merry christmas, have a good one' from him.