102 replies to this topic

[Detritus]

I am aware that it is possible to get a Grade 5B permit which allows you to drive high-speed vehicles, however I don't think Cambridgeshire has ever actively encouraged Specials to work with traffic - unlike norfolk and suffolk.  Mind you, it's a bit pointless being able to drive a traffic car within Grade 5 limitations!

hmmmmm.......

look to the future.

[Gene Hunt]

I was deployed to a job on the A1(M) last week in a Skoda Octavia since all traffic units were off chasing stolen JCBs in Ramsey.  After having sat there for nearly an hour protecting the scene, we were relieved by a traffic officer who said that divisional mobiles should never be deployed to motorways.  While in an ideal world I would prefer traffic units to be deployed to motorway scenes, this doesn't represent force policy and is the reason why all officers were major routes trained.  If we hadn't been sent, nobody else would have been available to do the job.

It's because divisional cars only have one set of rear reds, where as traffic vehicles have two upper and lower rear reds.
There is some info on this in the national motorway manual for police officers.

Edited by County copper, 02 November 2005 - 11:07 AM.

[4217]

To be honest, I think the standard response course only allows you to drive vehicles up to and including 2 litres. Therefore the traffic vehilces are a no go.
This would make sense anyway, as you train in 2ltr car (Mondeo).


If you are looking to get your grade 5 early..... then find someone who knows the driving school, and ask them to give them a ring. Driving school can often be seen around stations retesting regular officers. They a more than accommodating if they can fit you in.
Let's face it.... why does an officer have to be in for a year (or 2) before then can drive?

[Detritus]

To be honest, I think the standard response course only allows you to drive vehicles up to and including 2 litres. Therefore the traffic vehilces are a no go. (NOT TRUE. I have T5 on my permit)
This would make sense anyway, as you train in 2ltr car (Mondeo).
If you are looking to get your grade 5 early..... then find someone who knows the driving school, and ask them to give them a ring. Driving school can often be seen around stations retesting regular officers. They a more than accommodating if they can fit you in.NO NO NO! you need to apply in the usual manner.
Let's face it.... why does an officer have to be in for a year (or 2) before then can drive?(ERR so you have done your PDP,and put the effort in,it is on a divsional needs basis also.)

put my comments in

[4217]

Mmmm, sort of agree, but we all know that officers who can not drive drain resourses...

Why does one have to complete a PDP just so they can drive - sounds odd to me. I would much rather all officers have the capability to drive from the outset, rather than using it as a reward.

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.

[Detritus]

Mmmm, sort of agree, but we all know that officers who can not drive drain resourses...

Why does one have to complete a PDP just so they can drive - sounds odd to me. I would much rather all officers have the capability to drive from the outset, rather than using it as a reward.

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.

Officers who cannot drive are a drain on resources eh? so why do you/they have feet? there is also a push bike option.Some people do not even have a provisional.

the PDP side is not a reward,that is only part of it, there is the application to drive and it has to be on the divisional s/sup recommendation. PDP compleation is a good way to evidence commitment etc, as the driver you may be first on the scene take it you are fully equiped to cope with that situation?

not wishing to make a 'fight' out of this but regs/pcso's etc should always be able to drive over SC's as we do the job for a living.(this was my stance when I was an SC btw).

Edited by Detritus, 25 February 2006 - 09:17 PM.

[Gene Hunt]

Officers who cannot drive are a drain on resources eh? so why do you/they have feet? there is also a push bike option.Some people do not even have a provisional.

the PDP side is not a reward,that is only part of it, there is the application to drive and it has to be on the divisional s/sup recommendation. PDP compleation is a good way to evidence commitment etc, as the driver you may be first on the scenetake it you are fully equiped to cop with that situation?

not wishing to make a 'fight' out of this but regs/pcso's etc should always be able to drive over SC's as we do the job for a living.(this was my stance when I was an SC btw).

Welcome to the darkside LOL

[Alfa Zulu]

not wishing to make a 'fight' out of this

Be careful I'm watching!!!!!

[Detritus]

Be careful I'm watching!!!!!

boss knows best

[4217]

not wishing to make a 'fight' out of this but regs/pcso's etc should always be able to drive over SC's as we do the job for a living.(this was my stance when I was an SC btw).

I would hope not too! My stance remains, that if you work in an area that is vast and has to be accessed by vehilce then I would prefer all officers to have a driving permit. There are always the incidents whereby prisoners need transporting, and due to the number of incidents officers are thin on the ground. There have been situations where I have asked people to tansport or do a quick job, and because of the restriction can not assist.

Interesting point you make about PCSO's should have vehilce's over SC's?

I take it from your post you are a regular now (sorry not worked out everyones identity yet)? Perhaps furnish me with you collar number and we can discuss personally?

[Alfa Zulu]

Perhaps furnish me with you collar number and we can discuss personally?

Not a great idea!!!

[4217]

Not a great idea!!!

Good point... maybe not.

[Detritus]

I take it from your post you are a regular now (sorry not worked out everyones identity yet)? Perhaps furnish me with you collar number and we can discuss personally?

perhaps not......

[SO4201]

Surely all fully warranted officers take precedent in using fully marked police vehicles? The ability to stop cars attend more incidents etc - does getting a salary dictate the preference? What about enquiry officers - they get paid!

Edited by SO4201, 03 May 2006 - 02:06 PM.

[Gene Hunt]

Surely all fully warranted officers take precedent in using fully marked police vehicles? The ability to stop cars attend more incidents etc - does getting a salary dictate the preference? What about enquiry officers - they get paid!

Of course it does.......

[happy chappy]

so in a nut shell, what can specials do and cant do as regards to driving?

[David]

There has been an awful lot of chit-chat in this thread; I have only just seen it so count yourselves lucky the chit-chat chariot hasn't been hacking and slashing. However, it might yet well do.

Please keep to the topic

[Detritus]

HC,

you can drive from A to B.

You can not persue/use B&T's to 'follow' etc.
You may use them for a compliant stop,if the vehicle FTS then you cannot do owt apart from call through to the FCR.
You must abide by the RTA at all times when driving, and YOU must above all else ensure there is PETROL in the thing when you finish.


DAVID.coments noted

[SO4201]

It doesn't have to be just A to B. We can patrol. Just not respond.

[Detritus]

It doesn't have to be just A to B. We can patrol. Just not respond.

That point was taken as read matey

[happy chappy]

can we get any higher grades like grade 4? or is grade 5 it? also i sent off my grade 5 application form about 3 weeks ago and still havnt heard anything? how long does it normaly take?

also was in thorpe wood last night and noticed the ifobs , well its about time!!!!!!!

[Detritus]

As it stands you as an SC get the basic Grade 5 permit.nothing more. It can take a while for the test to come throughit can be very quick.Remember it has to be authorised and the driving school need to have the time to fit you in.AS has been said before here and elsewhere in this area there are others who are more of a prioity than the SC's when it comes to getting permits.


as a note I'm looking to slash/hack and pin this topic as it is getting the same old questions without people reading it first.

[Alfa Zulu]

as a note I'm looking to slash/hack and pin this topic as it is getting the same old questions without people reading it first.

Watch out he's BACK!!!

[Marc]

Sorry to pop across from the Leicestershire forum breifly, just wondering what the situation is in Cambs with regulars driving, i.e do they start off on a basic/grade 5 and then get a response ticket at a later stage or is everyone on a response straight away?

[Detritus]

howdy.

yes regs start on grade 5 then get response at a later date. after (being confirmed independant).