The police car parked on double yellow lines in Howardsgate, WGC
Hertfordshire cop parks on double yellows – to buy sweets!
By Chris Lennon, News editor
Friday, February 17, 2012
12:41 PM
A POLICE officer parked up on double yellow lines in a busy town centre – to pop into a shop to buy SWEETS.
Red Bull and HariboThe male Pc was spotted abandoning his patrol car in Howardsgate, WGC, and heading into the Costcutter store.
But rather than being on the trail of criminals, he instead bought a can of Red Bull energy drink and a packet of Haribo sweets.
An astonished Welwyn Hatfield Times reader contacted our newsdesk after witnessing the incident, just before 5pm on January 31.
“I was posting some letters and was just about to pop into the post office when the police car pulled up,” he said.
“I wondered what was going on at first, but couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the officer buying snacks.
“What emergency is that?”
The man added: “If a normal person parked on double yellow lines to go shopping, we’d no doubt get a ticket.
“Why should it be one rule for us, and another rule for the police?”
A spokeswoman for Hertfordshire Constabulary said officers could flout parking restrictions in emergency situations only.
As this was not an apparent emergency, the officer in question could now face disciplinary action.
She said: “If an officer is responding to an emergency it is acceptable for them to park on double yellow lines in order to reach their location quickly.
“Officers are not permitted to park on yellow lines for any other reason.
“If it is the case that an officer parked on a double yellow line then appropriate action will be taken against the officer.”
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12 comments
"Sort out your priorities gents" .....sounds like just the sort of thing a copper would say! "realise who the bad guys are"......I do! It's the police that don't!! The polices zero tolerance approach and refusal to recognise the difference (in any meaningful way) between the sort of person who mugs a women and the rest of us, has squandered the publics goodwill towards them, not helped of course, by a criminal justice system that only comes down hard on murderers and those who in some way act against the state such as council tax with-holders.
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Clarkson for PM
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
I agree with Baldy, if he'd parked in the bay he'd be blocking it for someone looking to stay longer. He's not parked dangerously, and is just popping in for a bite to eat no doubt after a shift that lasts longer than most working days. You say that he should be treated as everyone else, but would WHT run this if it was a civilians car, or an ambo or fire engine? Its hatemongering.
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Beardo
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Clarkson - JonMorris, and all other police haters and jobsworth apologists, check the WHT headline news: ''Woman mugged in Hatfield'' and then read the report. Sort out your priorities gents and realise who the bad guys are !! It could be you next time and I wonder then just how much you'd care about where a policeman parks his car !!!
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Iggy
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
"Hertfordshire Constabulary said officers could flout parking restrictions in emergency situations only" - clearly if on a call, they can parkstop anywhere. Who would imagine that they'd go and find a car park, buy a ticket etc? But, when going out for a bite to eat, they are considered to be exactly the same as any civilian.
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jonmorris
Friday, February 17, 2012
These guys get no meal relief or break for gods give them a brake!
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MAG
Friday, February 17, 2012
How about another slant on this News worthy article. The said driver has considered members of the public by NOT parking in a parking bay thereby leaving it free for those staying longer, there is as we know a shortage of parking bays in WGC - He has parked his vehicle in such a postition as to be visible to oncoming traffic thereby causing them to stick the the 30mph speed limit (which few observe) and therefore preventing acccidents and he has interacted with members of the public by being visible in local establishments. Off course no one has bothered to speak to the driver to find out what he was actually doing - just a thought !!!!!
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Baldy1
Friday, February 17, 2012
I wonder if the Jobsworth that reported the PC would mind if he parked on a double yellow if he called them -or whether he would wait till the PC found a suitable parking space, some people complain about nothing because the space between their ears is filled with fresh air
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Baldy1
Friday, February 17, 2012
I disagree with you jonmorris, they they are not "trying to command respect from the communities they serve".....I believe that they truly don't care what "we" think of them at all! Further, they do not "serve" us at all. The role of the police has totally changed over the last 30 years, from protecting the public, to the enforcement of the law. In their eyes, there are no longer good citizens and criminals, we are now all criminals, just some haven't been caught yet. Back in the 80's, I used to argue the polices corner with work colleagues.........no more!! I look upon them as the enemy now!
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Clarkson for PM
Friday, February 17, 2012
As a single event, it may seem like a case of someone moaning with 'nothing better to do', but these things aren't a one off. These incidents (and more serious ones) show a lack of respect by officers, who are trying to command respect from the communities they serve. It's never right or excusable for the police to ignore the law and it sends out totally the wrong message. Don't they realise that some people will see them bend the law and use it as justification to do the same? It will hardly deter crooks!
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jonmorris
Friday, February 17, 2012
Should be taken off driving duties at the very least.......can't park withing a foot of the kerb!!
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Clarkson for PM
Friday, February 17, 2012
Perhaps the jobsworth who reported this would be happier with no visible police presence in WGC? They can park wherever they like so long as they are visible and can deter crooks as far as I'm concerned. Good on'yer jobsworth, a copper might be on disciplinary because of you !!
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Iggy
Friday, February 17, 2012
Yes, It looks reeaaaally busy. WHT are you serious? This really is scraping the barrel.
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Beardo
Friday, February 17, 2012