Wrongly Given a Warning by the Police

Sgt_Pepper_2

luckwudaveit wrote: »

This is in the back of my mind. Lots of time spent off work giving statements, being interviewed, etc and where will it get me.

Why will you have to take time off work?

It won't go anywhere so forget it.

luckwudaveit

Sgt_Pepper wrote: »

Why will you have to take time off work?

It won't go anywhere so forget it.

If I made a complaint I was assuming they might take an interest and want to meet me. I will remove myself from Planet Zog and come back to reality...

You are right, there's no point doing anything. Doesn't make me feel any better, but at least I won't waste more time writing letters only to be told "go shove".

spacey2012

Dont worry, the warning is worthless and can not be used against you ever.
I would not bother complaining, from someone in the know, it wont be worth the future hassle you will get.

Sgt_Pepper_2

luckwudaveit wrote: »

If I made a complaint I was assuming they might take an interest and want to meet me. I will remove myself from Planet Zog and come back to reality...

You are right, there's no point doing anything. Doesn't make me feel any better, but at least I won't waste more time writing letters only to be told "go shove".

Right you were suspected of an offence, stopped and it was investigated. You weren't on the phone and were warned about using one in future.

What do you want to complain about?

luckwudaveit

Sgt_Pepper wrote: »

Right you were suspected of an offence, stopped and it was investigated. You weren't on the phone and were warned about using one in future.

What do you want to complain about?

It felt more as though I was warned "not to do it again" which is inaccurate. No-one likes being accused of doing something which they didn't.

Anyhow, as explained above, making a complaint would get me nowhere.

cotleigh

withabix wrote: »

Personally, if you are telling the truth, I would make an official complaint to the Chief !!!!stable, but that's just me.

I wouldn't bother. The OP was not fined or given any punishment, the whole thing was a mistake.

What can be gained by pursuing a complaint?

Nothing but (maybe) a mealy-mouthed standard letter in which they half-apologise while pointing out how the police have a difficult job to do, and how many drivers do use their phones and how many accidents are caused by this.

Life is too short.

And, if you believe that ACAB, the officers may make a point of hassling you in future.

brat

The officer clearly believed the driver was using the phone, hence the fairly robust inquiry. He seems to have made a mistake, and I believe he'll learn from it.
So many drivers do exactly what the officer saw, ie move their lazy arm away from their face when they see a patrol car, that it's very easy to draw an incorrect assumption from that sudden movement. I've stopped many and asked if they were using their phone, sometimes they admit it, sometimes they deny using it. Often they clearly haven't been on the phone and offer me their phone to examine.
No drama.

Tobster86

I've had a few discussions in the back of police cars and generally found them to be polite and reasonable fellow human beings, but after reading some recent events on here I'd now be inclined to take my mobile phone with me to record said conversations just in case.

A 'last chance' line of questioning is completely unreasonable and inappropriate in my view because at the end of the day, everyone including the officer does make mistakes; all it would do is serve to coerce them into admitting guilt for something they hadn't done, fearing worse consequences.

luckwudaveit

Thanks to the last 2 replies. The officer stated he was "100% certain" and this was worrying. Then again, I have been "100% certain" over things and had to apologise and back track.

I did indeed feel as though I should falsely confess and take the penalty, thus avoiding more drastic penalties. Thankfully I was given time to think and was prepared to take it to court and fight my case there. Perhaps this was the turning point?

I am seriously considering carrying my phone in the boot so that in future there will be no way of could be accused of this. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

rev_henry

Sounds to me like he either realised he was wrong, or didn't have enough evidence to prosecute, so gave you said warning to save face. No damage caused to your good self.

Personally I'd rather the police stopped people who look like they might have been on the phone rather than err on the side of caution. Well actually I think mobile phone drive-ists should be summary executed but anyway...