Copper or policeman?

[weeds]

Or policewoman

I have never really liked the word copper and always use Policeman or The Police anyway.......

The last three days I have been on a course and there were seven members from the force being trained with me........

they all referred to themselves as coppers which I thought was odd

[sheerluck]

I've always thought of them as coppers, and a police station as a "cop shop". Not intended in any way as a derogatory term, the ones that I knew back in the UK referred to themselves that way, just like the ones that you were talking to.

I'm of the generation that has automatic respect for their job, the uniform and all that they stand for.

[Disco Muppet]

I too generally refer to them as cops.
Although ever since I saw Hot Fuzz I call them policemen-officers.
:D

[steveG]

I have a family friend who is a copper - by his own description.

I usually refer to them being cops, or coppers - but strangely enough I refer to the local establishment as the Police station rather than using "cop shop". Equally likely to use cop car or police car.

Cop or copper doesn't have any derogatory meaning for me.

Steve

[Ranga]

anyone still call them the fuzz?

[mudmouse]

Each to their own, but I use Policeman - for both genders (which in itself may offend??)

Some 'old' crooks sing a ditty as a gee-up;

'What's the colour of a two cent piece, cop-per, cop-per..' These's some more to it but not for a family show....

Anyway, there's plenty of alternative names for many professions, many of which are used internally but when used by those not in the job, are seen as derogatory.

I reckon respect the role by using the correct name, although I wonder at the motive of the NSW Police Commissioner publicly using 'Cops'. Maybe he's trying to be cool :(

Matt.

[Landy Smurf]

I too generally refer to them as cops.
Although ever since I saw Hot Fuzz I call them policemen-officers.
:D
Funk yeah(if you ever watched the g rated version)

[Disco Muppet]

Funk yeah(if you ever watched the g rated version)

Silly old bar-stool.

[Landy Smurf]

ah that movie is so good. i love the 2 guys by the same name ah they crack me up. wonka!

[goingbush]

2 of my brothers are cops and the 3rd an ex cop, everyone in 'the job' are referred to as coppers . not offensive at all,

[Bearman]

anyone still call them the fuzz?

Showing your age there Ranga, that saying goes back to the late '60's and '70's.
Back in my day amongst other sayings they used to call us the "brown bombers" mainly because of the khaki uniform.:)

[V8Ian]

Like many nicks or slang names that are now considered politically incorrect, the offence is in the intent rather than the noun. To my great annoyance, abo is now considered offensive. My belief is that it should be taken as a badge of honour and acceptance, as are Simmo for Simpson, Gazza for Gary et al. It's just the Australian way.

[123rover50]

Or policewoman

I have never really liked the word copper and always use Policeman or The Police anyway.......

The last three days I have been on a course and there were seven members from the force being trained with me........

they all referred to themselves as coppers which I thought was odd

Tut tut. Its not the "Force" any more. Its the Service.:angel:

Though I still refer to it as the force anyway as do lots of news presenters.

[minibloodhound]

Tut tut. Its not the "Force" any more. Its the Service.:angel:

Though I still refer to it as the force anyway as do lots of news presenters.

NSW Police became a "service" back in 1988 and about 2004/2005 changed to just to the NSW Police before changing again formally back to the Police Force.

I was in for just over twenty years and always referred to myself being a "copper" or being "in the cops". Never had a problem with it compared to other names we were called!

[p38arover]

I use "police" when talking to them but probably cops at other times.



I reckon respect the role by using the correct name, although I wonder at the motive of the NSW Police Commissioner publicly using 'Cops'. Maybe he's trying to be cool :(


Does the NSW Commissioner's car still have the COP no. plate?

[The ho har's]

I think a lot of these answers have answered your questions:)

Mrs hh:angel:

[mudmouse]

I use "police" when talking to them but probably cops at other times.



Does the NSW Commissioner's car still have the COP no. plate?

:)

I don't think so - COP (Commissioner Of Police). Maybe COP-001 would appropriate. Traffic Services, still use VIP-(43) on their bikes and a few of their cars. The 'VIP's' are typically used for escort :eek: duties as well as HWP taskings.

Matt.

[Sue]

Hubby is an ex 'cop'.. and he refers to friends who are still in the force as coppers without offence at all.. :)

[FeatherWeightDriver]

'What's the colour of a two cent piece, cop-per, cop-per..'

Kids these days - do they even know what a 2 cent piece is / was? :wasntme:

[bobslandies]

I use "police" when talking to them but probably cops at other times.



Does the NSW Commissioner's car still have the COP no. plate?

Norman T. W. Allan (Commissioner 1962-72) had the number plate COP 777, on a Rambler Classic and I think a Rambler Rebel. His successor Fred Hanson may have had the plate for a while but he may have been the last. Under Fred the newly created Highway Patrol had HWP and HWY prefixes, also LAW I think. Far more creative and less politically correct in those days!

Bob

[Cobber]

I always refer to them as 'The Police' or a 'Policeman', unless it's a lady in which case a 'Police officer'. :)

[p38arover]

:)

I don't think so - COP (Commissioner Of Police). Maybe COP-001 would appropriate. Traffic Services, still use VIP-(43) on their bikes and a few of their cars. The 'VIP's' are typically used for escort :eek: duties as well as HWP taskings.

Matt.

I noticed the VIP plates at last year's ANZAC Day March. This year the bikes had HWP plates.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=60882&stc=1&d=1369398950

I just noticed this from this year's pix (highly cropped)

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=60883&stc=1&d=1369399746

[loanrangie]

If i'm talking face to face then its Sir or officer if they are female.

[digger]

Honestly?
Depends on the attitude etc of the person Im talking to.

I almost always refer to myself as a copper, almost collapse at the thought of the term law enforcement offitcial, and at other times refer to my employment as a govt driver (I drive govt cars, trucks and motorcycles as part of my employment :) )

I have been known after a while to advise I am the "big cat trainer" at Cats are us. Usually there are no questions and everyone moves on!

If Mr or Mrs Jo AVERAGE is talking to me, then cop, copper, fuzz, officer etc, it doesnt worry me as I know its just a term and not derogetory...

If someone is being an arse, then its "Senior", or "Officer" or they can address me by my surname if they'd like to in some way influence where their future direction (of travel--eg with me to the cells or they go home free with a "bee in their ear".

I have also advised people that my employment is as a diver where I follow fish about and collect "fish farts} for spirit levels (thats how they know when things are level) Some of us arent all that good and get 'yellow liquid" from the fish as well - you may have seen that??? - its like yellow snow... But Im sure "other employments" could start its own thread!!

[Rimmer]

Regardless of what we call them.

What ****es me is the total lack of respect given to the profession by a proportion of society.

I don't consider myself old by any means. (here we go though) When we were just wee lads in the 80's, respect was something you would give to all adults and especially those that wore a uniform.
Never had a problem with it and still don't.

Getting off topic, sorry Weeds.

[87County]

Regardless of what we call them.

What ****es me is the total lack of respect given to the profession by a proportion of society.

I don't consider myself old by any means. (here we go though) When we were just wee lads in the 80's, respect was something you would give to all adults and especially those that wore a uniform.
Never had a problem with it and still don't.

Getting off topic, sorry Weeds.

Even earlier in time respect was taught and expected at home and at school (in all parts of our lives really). We weren't subjected to instant communication, rotten TV programs, multi-media games etc etc - kids have a lot more to learn & cope with these days.

[shorty943]

Officer? Never. Most coppers are not commissioned officers, they are noncoms.

That is Americanised rubbish. Many I know actually hate being called officer and will tell you, "I am not an officer"
They are Constable, Senior Constable, Sergeant etc

The couple of "local blokes" I know on a semi personal basis, I just call mate, like I call everybody else.

Those I don't know, I call by their rank.

[Jeff]

Officer? Never. Most coppers are not commissioned officers, they are noncoms.

That is Americanised rubbish. Many I know actually hate being called officer and will tell you, "I am not an officer"
They are Constable, Senior Constable, Sergeant etc

The couple of "local blokes" I know on a semi personal basis, I just call mate, like I call everybody else.

Those I don't know, I call by their rank.

I agree with Shorty. My father and his father were 'coppers' and 'officer' was reserved for Inspector or above, ie: commissioned officers. Most of their mates referred to each other as coppers.

IIRC cop is an acronym for 'Constable of Police' but I could be wrong.

Jeff

:rocket:

[digger]

Officer? Never. Most coppers are not commissioned officers, they are noncoms.

That is Americanised rubbish. Many I know actually hate being called officer and will tell you, "I am not an officer"
They are Constable, Senior Constable, Sergeant etc

The couple of "local blokes" I know on a semi personal basis, I just call mate, like I call everybody else.

Those I don't know, I call by their rank.

"Officer" was the original terminology used alongside the term constable as all the powers conferred were quoted as being those of the OFFICE OF eg power to enter = I am an officer of the Law (eg I represent the law) But yes has been mainly used -pushed by the Americans. The commissioned officers are refered to as that, Comm Officer here and until abt 5 years ago it was still a Queens commision being conferred but apparently that was somehow dangerous or unhealthy so "someone" changed it?? (as one of the oldest forces in the world -believed the third oldest continuing centrally organised POlice force (we are 175 this year) we have nothing to show for it.... )

I agree with the Constable as a more correct phrase or term but much prefer 'Mate' by friends, acquaintances or Joe Average, so definately agree there....

If however someone who I am speaking with who shows little no respect (and not just for my employment etc, I show people the respect I would expect in return, if its a one way street its easy for me to stop and change)
and then calls me "Mate" or "Pal" I very quickly point out that I am neither their mate nor a can of dog food!!

Its amazing how often someone who is showing remorse for something theyve done (victimless stuff, speeding, disorderly beh (to a point) and the like,) is so so much more likely to get sent on their way after an ear bending chat to sort themselves out... and no court, no fine etc...

Yet we constantly get people who BEG us to send them to court etc... they signal this by starting conversations with us with stuff like... "what do you pigs want?" or similar!

Interestingly though in the US there are Police badges etc that have a pig on them. These stem from the police motto that was adopted by a number of forces in the US mainly in NY (I think) which was Guts, Integrity, Pride and Service, very quickly rearranged by someone!

[yunus400@hotmail.com]

I believe police (peace) officers were called coppers due to their badges being made from copper, in the old days. I always find being polite and respectfull is the way to go and to address them by their rank.

Dugal

[disco2_dan]

Look I obey the law (bar speeding and parking fines) I usually respect the people who inforce it ( unless its a douche bag on a power trip then I've been known to argue points till they give up or I'm arrested taken to the cop shop and released with out charge) BUT when I was younger my patience was tested, now not being a cop I don't know if it intentually happened (eg thought I was doing something illegal) or just by pure bad luck but for almost a year I got pulled over and breath tested every day at least once! And or searched when they felt like it car and all quite often down to my undies!! They never found anything and refused to tell me why this kept happening, so I just started keeping a log of when and what happened getting witnesses to sign it if I could and took it to my lawyer, since I have I've only been pulled over once for an rbt (booze bus) and once for speeding 7 years later

Then there is other things that's happened like when a friend and i was getting his car searched decided that it would be a good idea to film it all and got the cop ON CAMERA putting his hand in his pocket pulling out a snap lock bag and planting a bag of pot under the passenger seat, turns around pulls his hand out with a big cheesy grin and goes so what's this boys? Realises my mate has it on camera then goes ballistic at my mate telling him if he doesn't give him the phone his going to go to jail and the key will be thrown away!!
My friends reply..... No prob officer here is the phone...
Oh by the way officer I've just sent this video to my lawyer (his father)


Ever since things like this happened to me and other people i know I've always felt funny about the police, YES ive met lots of nice cops who let me or mates off with warnings or a get outa here before i change my mind and yes I know like anything it's only a small % of them that are crooks that give the good ones a bad wrap, but it's once bitten twice shy unfortunately for me

[goingbush]

disco2_dan

just interested what were you driving in those days, hmm let me guess a grey import Skyline, lowered Commodore or similar.

Not long after I got my Licence I had a VC Valiant jacked up at the back and lowered at the front, Cops kept pulling me up and then I twigged when they called my car an "Ethnic Wedge" , swapped it for my first Landy & never been pulled up since.

would be interested to see that video, but cant find it on youtube, can I have a copy

[Mick_Marsh]

I used to be regularly pulled up and searched back in my youth.
I thought it was just the local police teaching me a lesson before I needed to be taught one.
I think this is still the practice today. I have a VR Commodore as daily drive. I often get pulled up. The coppers generally look a little surprised when they see an angry old fart get out of the car instead of a pimply faced hoon.
My licence is almost worn out from all the checking they have done.

On the subject of "copper" or "policeman", it depends on what company you are with at the time and what they are used to. I guess, as the police spend a lot of their time around criminal or undesirable elements, copper is perfectly acceptable to them.

[Ferret]

WA police commissioner Karl O'Callaghan plays in a local rock band called the 'The Filth'. Other members of the band are senior WA cops. I'd expect he would call himself a copper. It's all in the context.

The Filth and the Bad Piper.mov - YouTube

That's him on keyboards. He also plays guitar and sings.

[V8Ian]

WA police commissioner Karl O'Callaghan plays in a local rock band called the 'The Filth'. Other members of the band are senior WA cops. I'd expect he would call himself a copper. It's all in the context.

That's him on keyboards. He also plays guitar and sings.Those blokes should be done for murdering a great Aussie classic. :angrylock:

[Jeff]

I once overheard a crusty old police sergeant (who unusually was quite fat) said to a newby constable, "It's Sergeant! Don't call me Sarge, I don't call you Const!" I had to hide my laughter.

Jeff

:rocket:

[Ferret]

Those blokes should be done for murdering a great Aussie classic. :angrylock:

Yeah, you would hope their better coppers than rock stars. I don't think they ever charge for their services. The Filth played at a fund raiser organised partly by my daughter. From memory O'Callaghan did some punk rock covers of about the same standard.

Kinda funny to see the police commissioner singing about anarchy and jumping up and down like 'Plastic Bertrand'.

Doesn't go down well in some quarters but the kids love it. Just shows there is another side to the guy.

[snowbound]

anyone still call them the fuzz?
POME origins mate? Maybe, Z car fan, the sweeny! Whatever, a blast from the past!:p

[snowbound]

I agree with Shorty. My father and his father were 'coppers' and 'officer' was reserved for Inspector or above, ie: commissioned officers. Most of their mates referred to each other as coppers.

IIRC cop is an acronym for 'Constable of Police' but I could be wrong.

Jeff

:rocket:

I understood "Constable On Patrol" American anyway!

[mudmouse]

Look I obey the law (bar speeding and parking fines) I usually respect the people who inforce it ( unless its a douche bag on a power trip then I've been known to argue points till they give up or I'm arrested taken to the cop shop and released with out charge) BUT when I was younger my patience was tested, now not being a cop I don't know if it intentually happened (eg thought I was doing something illegal) or just by pure bad luck but for almost a year I got pulled over and breath tested every day at least once! And or searched when they felt like it car and all quite often down to my undies!! They never found anything and refused to tell me why this kept happening, so I just started keeping a log of when and what happened getting witnesses to sign it if I could and took it to my lawyer, since I have I've only been pulled over once for an rbt (booze bus) and once for speeding 7 years later

Then there is other things that's happened like when a friend and i was getting his car searched decided that it would be a good idea to film it all and got the cop ON CAMERA putting his hand in his pocket pulling out a snap lock bag and planting a bag of pot under the passenger seat, turns around pulls his hand out with a big cheesy grin and goes so what's this boys? Realises my mate has it on camera then goes ballistic at my mate telling him if he doesn't give him the phone his going to go to jail and the key will be thrown away!!
My friends reply..... No prob officer here is the phone...
Oh by the way officer I've just sent this video to my lawyer (his father)


Ever since things like this happened to me and other people i know I've always felt funny about the police, YES ive met lots of nice cops who let me or mates off with warnings or a get outa here before i change my mind and yes I know like anything it's only a small % of them that are crooks that give the good ones a bad wrap, but it's once bitten twice shy unfortunately for me


Pretty serious allegation mate. Bit off topic, but rather than leave it here, lodge a complaint - if it's genuine. If not, it's a war-story that fixes nothing, allowing that sort of behaviour to continue.

Matt.

[HangOver]

copper originates from the states when coppers bages where made from Copper, hence the name.
So to me its an americanism.

But then , bobby or peeler ;) is a bit outdated

There are far more offensive names for poilce I suspect, (pup intended) they must be thick skinned and quite used to it.

[digger]

maybe this can help?

Why are the police called "the fuzz"?

1 CommentReport •
Anonymous

A STAFF REPORT FROM THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD
Why are the police called cops, pigs, or the fuzz?

May 31, 2005
Dear Straight Dope:

Could you tell me more about the words fuzz, pigs, and cops and how they pertain to police?

— Mike Paproski

Etymology is rarely an exact science. Words or phrases spring up, become popular, and eventually may find their way into print. The process takes time, and it's usually difficult or impossible to track backwards to discover where a particular word or phrase arose.

Let's start with cop. Cop the noun is almost certainly a shortening of copper, which in turn derives from cop the verb. The London police were called bobbies, after Sir Robert Peel who advocated the creation of the Metropolitan Police Force in 1828. Copper as slang for policeman is first found in print in 1846, according to the Oxford English Dictionary. The most likely explanation is that it comes from the verb "to cop" meaning to seize, capture, or snatch, dating from just over a century earlier (1704).

The derivation of the verb is unclear. Most authorities trace it to the French caper and before that to the Latin capere, to seize, take. Other English words derived from capere include capture. Thus, a copper is one who seizes. An alternative theory is that to cop comes from the Dutch kapen, meaning to take or to steal.

The word "cop" has other meanings as well, all connected to "catch" or "snatch":

To "cop out" meaning to withdraw or escape, or to evade responsibility
To "cop it" meaning to be punished or get caught
To "cop a plea" is to try to catch a lesser punishment by admitting to a lesser crime
"A fair cop" means to be caught in the act.
As with many words, there are several stories floating around positing various origins, almost certainly false. The notion that cop is an acronym for "Constable On Patrol" is nonsense. Similarly, the word did not arise because police uniforms in New York (or London or wherever) had copper buttons, copper badges, or anything of the sort.

The term cop has had derogatory implications. J. Edgar Hoover, the longtime head of the FBI, disliked being called "top cop."

The origin of "fuzz" is uncertain. The expression arose in America in the late 1920s and early 1930s, probably in the criminal underworld. It never quite replaced cop.

Evan Morris, The Word Detective, says:

Where in the world are you hearing people refer to the police as "fuzz"? . . . I have never heard a real person use it, unless you want to count Jack Webb on the old "Dragnet." When I was growing up in the 1960s, we called police officers many things, but mostly we just called them "cops" and we never, ever, called them "the fuzz." As a matter of fact, anybody calling the cops "the fuzz" would have been instantly suspected of being a cop. It would have been a faux pas right up there with ironing your blue jeans.

There are several theories about the origin of "fuzz":

American Tramp and Underworld Slang, published in 1931, suggests that "fuzz" was derived from "fuss," meaning that the cops were "fussy" over trifles.
A mispronunciation or mishearing of the warning "Feds!" (Federal agents). This seems unlikely.
Etymologist Eric Partridge wonders if "fuzz" might have come from the beards of early police officers. This also seems improbable.
The term is not related to Fuzzy Wuzzy who wuz a bear. (You didn't ask, but the term "bear" for police refers to the Smokey the Bear hat commonly worn by state troopers.)

Evan Morris suggests the word "arose as a term of contempt for police based on the use of 'fuzz' or 'fuzzy' in other items of derogatory criminal slang of the period. To be 'fuzzy' was to be unmanly, incompetent and soft. How better to insult the police, after all, than to mock them as ineffectual?" That explanation seems as good as any, and better than most.

If you thought the term pig arose in the 1960s, you're in for a surprise. The OED cites an 1811 reference to a "pig" as a Bow Street Runner--the early police force, named after the location of their headquarters, before Sir Robert Peel and the Metropolitan Police Force (see above.) Before that, the term "pig" had been used as early as the mid-1500s to refer to a person who is heartily disliked.

The usage was probably confined to the criminal classes until the 1960s, when it was taken up by protestors. False explanations for the term involve the gas masks worn by the riot police in that era, or the pigs in charge of George Orwell's Animal Farm.

While police officers usually don't mind being called "cops," they aren't usually fond of the term "pig." A policeman's lot is not an 'appy one.

By the way, the French call their police gendarmes, which came from gens d'arme (people with weaponry) which ranked just below knight in medieval armies--the English equivalent would be "esquire," perhaps. No, somehow I don't think calling the police "squires" will catch on here.

— Dex


STAFF REPORTS ARE WRITTEN BY THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD, CECIL'S ONLINE AUXILIARY. THOUGH THE SDSAB DOES ITS BEST, THESE COLUMNS ARE EDITED BY ED ZOTTI, NOT CECIL, SO ACCURACYWISE YOU'D BETTER KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED

what I thought was right about PIGS obviously wasnt!!

[goingbush]

what about "The Jacks" ??? , Ive heard cops referred to as Jacks usually by people with no respect for them. Not for many years tho.

[disco2_dan]

Pretty serious allegation mate. Bit off topic, but rather than leave it here, lodge a complaint - if it's genuine. If not, it's a war-story that fixes nothing, allowing that sort of behaviour to continue.

Matt.

Yeah it was all delt with in court a couple heads rolled and my buddy got a pay out for it,
Oh so it's still on topic

Popo
Cops
Boys in blue
Or sir
Are my normal terms for them or sir if Im speaking to them

[shining]

I always try and use the correct rank but all the coppers I know call themselves coppers. Commissioned Officers? Do police have "warrant cards"? Are they warrant officers or above a certain rank do they get a commission.

[digger]

I always try and use the correct rank but all the coppers I know call themselves coppers. Commissioned Officers? Do police have "warrant cards"? Are they warrant officers or above a certain rank do they get a commission.

we generally have an ID card and badge. In SA commonly refferred to as the "freddy", in NT (with their roo emblazoned badge) its called a "skippy" not sure about other places...

In SA one man stations, OC other stations and designated detectives and all officers of police (as opposed to Police officers) have a GENERAL SEARCH WARRANT a very powerful and very heavily regulated warrant.

The ID card and badge is often called a warrant card, I assume as its your authority to act? but not as far as I know is it called that by Police (officially anyway)

[mudmouse]

In NSW a Warrant of Appointment is issued for ranks of Sergeant and above. A warrant card is issued to all on passing out from the NSW Police Force Academy, which physically, is photographic ID and a badge, but legally an authority of the office of Constable along with the Oath of Office.

The Warrant of Appointment used to be for receipt of a Commission (Inspector and above), but Sergeant and Senior Sergeant were added after 2004 I think.

Matt.

[p38arover]

I thought I might have have had to use the correct term yesterday when I overtook a Highway Patrol car on my bike at Lithgow. I wasn't speeding as I had seen him from well over a km away and although he didn't follow and pull me over, I expect a ticket in the mail.

Your honour, I plead extenuating circumstances.

The HWP had pulled a woman over and was stopped in the LH lane which was a short dual lane section at a corner (see pic). He had his reds and blues going so I moved over to the right to go around him. Unfortunately, he and the woman moved off just as I approached and at the last second I saw his RH blinker going - his were hard to see owing to the late afternoon sunlight. I might have been able to stop but decided it was safer to skirt around them. By this time the woman was over the dotted line and it could probably claimed I didn't give way.

They both turned right into a side street. I assume the HWP must have told her to move off the highway as it wasn't a good place to stop.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[bobslandies]

Yeah, you would hope their better coppers than rock stars. I don't think they ever charge for their services. The Filth played at a fund raiser organised partly by my daughter. From memory O'Callaghan did some punk rock covers of about the same standard.

Kinda funny to see the police commissioner singing about anarchy and jumping up and down like 'Plastic Bertrand'.

Doesn't go down well in some quarters but the kids love it. Just shows there is another side to the guy.

Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan APM was appointed as the top police officer in Western Australia Police in 2004. He is responsible for more than 5,800 police officers, over 1,800 police staff and an operating budget of more than $1.2 billion a year.

In 2011 he established Bright Blue – Police Commissioner’s Fund for Sick Kids. He is married with four children, has a passion for rock-and-roll music, plays guitar and is lead singer in his own band ‘The Filth’.

Commissioner O’Callaghan’s qualifications include a PhD, Bachelor of Education (1st Class Honours) and Bachelor of Arts (Education) and in 1997, he was awarded a Churchill Fellowship.

See here:

Our Board | Bright Blue | Police Commissioner's Fund For Sick Kids (http://www.brightblue.org.au/ourboard.html)

Bob

[gromit]

Another list of slang names for the police

List of police-related slang terms - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


In the UK it was Coppers, Rozzers, The Old Bill, The Fuzz and a lot of others. But as already mentioned, always 'officer' when you're pulled for speeding.


Colin

[mudmouse]

I thought I might have have had to use the correct term yesterday when I overtook a Highway Patrol car on my bike at Lithgow. I wasn't speeding as I had seen him from well over a km away and although he didn't follow and pull me over, I expect a ticket in the mail.

Your honour, I plead extenuating circumstances.

The HWP had pulled a woman over and was stopped in the LH lane which was a short dual lane section at a corner (see pic). He had his reds and blues going so I moved over to the right to go around him. Unfortunately, he and the woman moved off just as I approached and at the last second I saw his RH blinker going - his were hard to see owing to the late afternoon sunlight. I might have been able to stop but decided it was safer to skirt around them. By this time the woman was over the dotted line and it could probably claimed I didn't give way.

They both turned right into a side street. I assume the HWP must have told her to move off the highway as it wasn't a good place to stop.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=61016&stc=1&d=1369654366

You've missed your calling Ron, the Bench would welcome such a cogent argument :D

You won't (really, really shouldn't) get one in the post. Only 'owner onus' offences can be dealt with by post to the registered owner, those being offences able to be detected by 'an automated device' such as a red light or speed camera. That onus is then for the registered owner to nominate the driver or person responsible at the time of the offence. Otherwise you must be stopped and spoken to then, or within a six month statute of limitations.

So, move house regularly or ride like the wind :p

Either way, you just had to take advantage of such a nice day!

Matt.

[digger]

You've missed your calling Ron, the Bench would welcome such a cogent argument :D

You won't (really, really shouldn't) get one in the post. Only 'owner onus' offences can be dealt with by post to the registered owner, those being offences able to be detected by 'an automated device' such as a red light or speed camera. That onus is then for the registered owner to nominate the driver or person responsible at the time of the offence. Otherwise you must be stopped and spoken to then, or within a six month statute of limitations.

So, move house regularly or ride like the wind :p

Either way, you just had to take advantage of such a nice day!

Matt.

Matt,
here we can issue a TIN (traffic Infringement Notice) to the registered owner of any vehicle in relation to any known/proven offence (eg cameras etc AND /OR police observed offences etc etc..) the onus is then on the driver to stat dec details of correct driver and notice is re issued- or advise he/she will contest matter in court, tin is then suspended/withdrawn and summons issued. and we have 2 year limitation time. (also whilst we are at it in SA you accrue up to 12 demerit points then you get a pushbike! (we dont give it to you, but you'd better get one as your licence will be suspended!!
The points are taken away after three years unless different time/times scale dictated by Court. Just so you can all be aware!

Cheers

[dullbird]

well i reckon then that is mudmouse 1 Digger 0 hahahahhaha

NSW police Rock def more than SA police!

seriously keep considering joining myself.:D

[p38arover]

Thanks Matt! The HWP still had his reds and blues going when he pulled out and went around the corner with the woman.

I must admit she had a startled look when I went around her - although that could have been due to her having been pulled over.

There are a few places in NSW where I wouldn't dream of speeding - Bathurst, Goulburn, and Lithgow - oh, and the old Pacific Hwy!

I'd just come from Bathurst where the boys in blue were out and about. I saw a posse* of 5 police bikes go past me at Bathurst.

* For those who aren't into collective nouns, see Collective Nouns (http://users.tinyonline.co.uk/gswithenbank/collnoun.htm) - I do love ones like "a murder of crows" , "a parliament of owls" and this lovely one, "a sneer of butlers" :D.

Late edit: I don't like Digger's scenario! (Although I can see times when it would be good.) :D

[V8Ian]

Thanks for that Ron, love it; the collectives, not that the cops are after you. :p

[mudmouse]

He, he, he.....might've been a 'drift', 'doylt', 'trip' or 'drove' of Policemen Motorcyclists :angel:

The Putty Road get's a workout too. The old Pacific Highway is such a nice road to drive/ride, it's a shame it's a 60 zone - should be 70 or 80, but given the scattering of fairings and bike parts on every other corner, it's not surprising the 'cotton wool' brigade have been at it.

I hear the bike contract is up and Kawasaki are next in line - GTR's!

Matt.

I validate this off topic post with another vote for the term 'Policeman' :D.

[V8Ian]

...

[p38arover]

They might have trouble with that miscreant, Ian. That's a caricature of my late son, Bucko! :D

Having said that, we did get a letter wanting payment for tolls on the M5 that occurred after he had died and whilst his bike was still in the police lockup in Albury. Ghost rider!

[digger]

well i reckon then that is mudmouse 1 Digger 0 hahahahhaha

NSW police Rock def more than SA police!

seriously keep considering joining myself.:D

But DB !
If you join yourself, you'll be alone????:wasntme:

(NSW is funkier than us because theyre the younger brother!!)

[bobslandies]

He, he, he.....might've been a 'drift', 'doylt', 'trip' or 'drove' of Policemen Motorcyclists :angel:

Or alternatively, an intrusion of "cockroaches":D:wasntme:

The Putty Road get's a workout too. The old Pacific Highway is such a nice road to drive/ride, it's a shame it's a 60 zone - should be 70 or 80, but given the scattering of fairings and bike parts on every other corner, it's not surprising the 'cotton wool' brigade have been at it.

I hear the bike contract is up and Kawasaki are next in line - GTR's!

Matt.

I validate this off topic post with another vote for the term 'Policeman' :D.

Sorry about the term of endearment Matt, if I get to the HWP reunion of the "Old and Bold" next month I will apologise.

Bob

[mudmouse]

:D

Yup, once a crackleback, always a crackleback! Don't apologise, it's a badge of honour :p

I love the 'intrusion', it's quite appropriate at times.

Matt.