What would you think when someone mentioned the police, or you saw them driving around?

I know my initial thoughts would be:

- A group who enforce the law
- Who ensure others practice the law
- Practice the law fully themselves whilst setting an example
- Create a safer environment for the public.

I want to highlight on the point “…Practice the law fully themselves whilst setting an example…”

I was driving back home earlier and I saw something which really made me think. I saw a police officer in a police van driving down the road. In the space of 30 – 45 seconds I saw a number of things which I would question “What is going on?”

1) A car was parked up on the side, with their hazards on, blatantly picking someone up. Not a problem I hear you ask… This was a narrow road with just enough space for 2 cars to pass without having someone stop on the side. The car that stopped had caused a small tailback and a safety hazard. This police van just drove straight past it without slowing down or pretty much blinking an eyelid.

2) On approaching the roundabout the police van was going into the 2nd exit, and note this roundabout had 3 exits, The one he came from, and 2 others he could go into. You’d think that he would observe basic traffic rules such as… I don’t know… SIGNALLING?? Not a chance in happyville! Not only did he NOT signal right for the exit he wanted to go to, he proceeded to NOT signal left upon his entry into the exit. As drivers we’ve always been told to signal properly so that the other road drivers and users can be informed. I know some drivers don’t do this but for an organisation to not do this is appalling.

3) On getting to his exit, the policeman put on his left signal for about a quarter of a second and went up on to the pavement to park IMMEDIATELY after an island. Safety hazard? Yup! You betcha!

4) [And this one takes the cake]. I thought to myself, ok… maybe it’s a raid or something with the big van, or some important business that he had to jump on to the pavement. As I passed the van, I saw another policeman getting out of the passenger side. As I went ahead, I looked in my rear view mirror and saw the second policeman…. Taking out his BICYCLE from the back.

So what was the conclusion??? Yup. One policeman giving a lift to his mate and ignoring 2 to 3 traffic rules and ignoring a potential road hazard.

Nice. And this is where our taxes are going. Makes you think doesn’t it…?