Are the police above the law?

Dingo-Bob

In theory, they are not above the law.

In practice, they are.

When was the last time you heard of a policeman being convicted?

THE BULB

I'm a police officer and my partner is too. Everytime I get into a car with him he tells me off if I don't put the seatbelt on. This goes for on and off duty. Of course we're meant to wear a seatbelt, but if you hear on the radio that there is a man with a knife heading towards a school full of children, the seatbelt is sometimes the last thing on your mind, (ok, that's extreme, but you get the picture). Police are meant to wear seatbelts just like anyone else is the short answer!
In UK, we're not paid to uphold the law, we're paid to "serve the queen, uphold human rights, keep the peace and to prevent offences against people and property" (schedule 4 Police Reform Act 2002)

Anti_Censorship

Yes. I once got pulled over by a motorcycle cop (obviously not weaing a seatbelt) because I didn't have my seat belt on at the time in my car. Guess what he told me? That it isn't safe to operate a motor vehicle without wearing a seat belt.

OK hypocrite!!

hello

We wear an excessive amount of equimptement on out belts and to include our vests. These make out bodies much more larger in certian areas of the vehicle and we cannot allways sit easily with the seat belt on.

The seat belt often gets tangled up in our gear, posing a problem when we bail out of the car after someone. This personally has happened to me.

Seat belts also make us unable to manuver in out seats if we were to be shot at while confined to in the car. We are contsatly moving targets.

I personally wear my seat belt because I belive they save lives in a car crash. I have a problem going through the windshield or hitting the stearing wheel.

TarKettle

They are law enforcers, not law upholders. They cultivate command presence from Day One at the Academy. They are a closed culture. That is the way I see it.

iain

The police are certainly not above the law, however when
in service, an occasion may arise that requires the policeman
to make a quick getaway or get out of car for an arrest. They
have to make their own decisions and, if called upon to explain
any situation, it better be convincing.

cha

in ireland the garda do not have to wear a seat belt if they are driving a police car

Sheila V

No, police officers are not allowed to drive without wearing their seatbelt. Being one, I will explain why some do not. If you can imagine how many times a cop gets in and out of their car in a 12hr shift (that's what we work here). Now put on top of that the amount of crap that they wear. Now put on top of that putting the seatbelt on and off all day long for 12 hours. I am not saying it is right and they are definitely not above the law. I am simply explaining to you why some do it. I know I didn't and I also know that if I speed 5 over in my personal car I don't write tickets to other people who go 5 over. So before you put a label on all of us, think twice.

northy

i`ve seen police driving whilst drinking a can of coke,also laughing at people whilst on the mobile phone,smoking in public and driving without seatbelts,but hey lets face it their is totally nothing anyone can do???????????that is except photograph them on our mobile phones and send them to the press!They so do think they are a law into themselves!

MAHESH R

yes...you ever known of one prosecuted for it? there was one officer in the midlands who drove at over 140 mph and said he was testing his car...his punishment?? what do you think...

fargo

They should wear a seatbelt but how many do you see not wearing belts, using mobile phones and then speeding past you without light flashing. They have their own rules

Pia

They think they are...

Mike B

They are not above the law but they are exempt from some laws. In New York, police and passengers in taxi cabs are exempt from seat belt and cell phone laws. They can also speed, go through stop signs, and etc, but if here is a accident or problem, the police are at fault for speeding, fail to stop at stop sign, etc.

sunflowerjean63

As a former rehab specialist, it concerns me that anyone, including the police, would drive a car without his/her seatbelts on. I've had too many patients who had significant injuries because they didn't have their seat belts on. I do not think the police in my city in the midwest U.S.A. go without their seat belts, as they know how dangerous that can be.

nicolasraage

I know of a stupid exception in georgia. If you are in a truck, or a S.U.V you don't have to wear one. So someone driving a 1979 datsun pickup that weighs 1000 pounds, doesn't need a seatbelt, but someone in a new cadillac with surround airbags does.

gerald631

are we here to question the people who risk their lives to keep us safe ???? as long as i'm not risking my life i don't care who wears seet belts or doesn't

LMH

no there not

gary j

no, take the reg and grass them up. if it was us we get Â£30-60 fine plus possibly 3 points. must have been a one of.

herbal ashtray

No they are not allowed to. They are not above the law and they should face the same penalties as everyone else. seatbelts are for your own safety and save lives!!!!

Sally J

They are allowed to drive without seat belts because the nature of their duties dictates that they might need to get out of the car very quickly!

Alter_Ego

Not above the law at all.

Its only what the small exceptions that public read in the papers that makes it sound like police are above the law.

Anytime an average police officer breaks the law there is all hell to pay. Their jobs are on the line as well as embarrassment and stigma at work. Not that many members of the public would get that grief at work if they broke the law.

And no one should drive without a seatbelt coz when your head hits the steering wheel it will burst. Not even police officers have special unbreakable heads!

Rob

Police are exempt from seat belts. So yes we are excluded from that law.

crouchingdonkeyhiddenduck

No unless wearing one would hinder their job. I.E if they need to get out of the vehicle quickly.

biggamehntr15

they think they are above but they are NOT!!! they just think tht since they are police tht they can do what ever they want like speeding, no seatbelt, and litering

Anthony K

Barry DaLive

NO.

richard g

no but they think they are

little weed

The police have to abide by the rules of the road ie seatbelts, speed limits etc unless they are undertaking a procedure which makes it necessary for them to do otherwise.

DWAYNE A

Hell ya , Two days ago they prove it to me when they slam my head on the car door entry's talking about watch your head then kick me in the a** talking about the bottom of his shoes was wet from run after me and said thanks for drying my shoes punk.Then I reply you only got me because your momma wore me out in bed is morning, bit*h!!.I don't remember much after that .

Eddie

They should not drive without a seatbelt on if it's the law. I am not aware of any exceptions that would permit them not to wear it.

)(*&^%$#@!

ofcourse they are above the law duhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

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