I may be in the 5hit.............

richie · 18-05-2008, 19:07

As the title says realy.

Last Wednesday I had a rear end shut whilst in a Skoda loan car. The woman who hit me was not happy with my attitude as I enforced the legal requirement under the road traffic act for name and address etc. Yes, I was pi55ed off but not rude or abusive.

She tolde me she was calling the police to the scene ( bear in mind I had allready ID myself as off duty police ). Kent police did not trun up and told her so, as there was no injury etc.

I provided the woman with all the details I could regarding the Skoda I was driving and like wise for the Skoda garage. I had called the garage and informed them of the accident and they asked me to go back so they could check the car over.

The woman continued to rant and rave and got very cross when I refused to admit that the Skoda was undamaged. Yes, there were no marks on the bumper, but was there other damage I could not see???? In the end, I told the woman to call Skoda and give them her insurance details and sort it out with them, got in the car and returned to the garage.

The Skoda was fine, luckily, it could have cost me £250 excess.

Anyway, today a Kent skipper turned up at home asking me for my line managers details as the woman had made a formall complaint!!! He did say it was nothing to worry about and it would all be delt with quickly. I told him I was not Kent police, but from another force. He said that it would be passed on to my Inspector to deal with, but it was still nothing to worry about.

Great, a nice day all in all.

**VRStu** · 18-05-2008, 19:13

If you did nothing wrong then surely there isn't an issue.

Fezboy · 18-05-2008, 19:14

So a woman hits YOU and then makes a complaint against you

richie · 18-05-2008, 19:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by VRStu

If you did nothing wrong then surely there isn't an issue.

Yup, thats what I thought. But we are talking MoD police here.........................Guilty till proved innocent with this lot

Tom_vRS · 18-05-2008, 19:42

Don't worry about it pal, I'm sure you'll be fine... She's clearly embarassed about crashing and is trying to make herself feel better by getting someone else in trouble...

Good luck with it though!

richie · 18-05-2008, 19:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fezboy

So a woman hits YOU and then makes a complaint against you

Yup, it was all about my attitude apparently. Yes, I was cross. The Skoda was not mine, thats what peeeeeed me off more than anything else. If I had been rude or swearing then fine. I think the clincher was when I refused to admit that the Skoda was undamaged. To the eye it was fine, but what was the damage underneath the bumper?? I could not tell.

Luckily the little Ferbi was fine.

richie · 18-05-2008, 19:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom_vRS

Don't worry about it pal, I'm sure you'll be fine... She's clearly embarassed about crashing and is trying to make herself feel better by getting someone else in trouble...

Good luck with it though!

Trying not to worry. I think you may have a point though. The Kent skipper was of the same oppinion, but it's not Kent police I'm worrying about. It's my force.

anonymouse · 18-05-2008, 20:04

The woman is obviously a total plonka

But, really, you shouldn't have put a brochure for SpecSavers on her front seat

She's being a tw*t and, in some ways, seemingly trying to shift the blame.
We know you're mad - but not mad enough to reverse up and over her bonnet

mattbeef · 18-05-2008, 20:24

You will be fine mate, you didnt have to tell her you were an off duty officer.

Im sure that it will be errmmmm brushed away is the best thing i can say

cjb · 18-05-2008, 20:33

I fail to see how you are in the ****. You have done nothing wrong.

FOZ1 · 18-05-2008, 20:34

She hit you from behind, ergo her fault no argument.
As you were not rude & abusive you should have nothing to worry about. Just explain calmly & clearly what happened & that although the car showed no signs of damage, you are not qualified to say that the car was undamaged, that is what the insurance pay inspectors to find out.

Let your insurance know too, as they may be able to help you with reports etc,

Hope it all turns out alright for you mate, let us know.

westerdam2 · 18-05-2008, 20:35

It should be ok as far as the complaint is concerned.

You might want to double check your Force Policy re being involved in an accident as an off duty officer. Might also be worthwhile making a discreet mention to your Insp asap ie before any official word comes through the 'system'.

Annoying - especially when you are the innocent party - hope it all works out without any probs.

mathepac · 18-05-2008, 20:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by richie

Trying not to worry. I think you may have a point though. The Kent skipper was of the same oppinion, but it's not Kent police I'm worrying about. It's my force.

richie, my sympathies on a crappy situation.

I don't want to sound like I'm trying to teach grannie how to suck eggs, but if you haven't done so already, document verbatim (to the best of your ability) each exchange you had with Ms. Complainant.

If your own organisation wants to interview you in relation to the complaint or the accident, have a legal / union representative with you and keep your own notes of what transpires.

Like you, I happen to work in a job where there are different criteria regarding standards of behaviour and the investigation of complaints than those that apply to Joe Public. There are times when I just feel like a sittiing duck, waiting for the next idiot to take a pot-shot. All complaints, even obviously malicious ones, have to be investigated and reported on, and if "management" regard the complaint seriously enough, I can be suspended from duty, WITHOUT PAY!!

Look after yourself and your career, because no-one else will.

mdk1 · 18-05-2008, 21:08

Chin up Richie, as others have said get a quiet word in first with your boss.

Emily-Elizabeth · 18-05-2008, 21:09

As far as I can work out - Is the issue that you showed your warrant card to the lady?

She sounds like a right nutter - did she actually call 999 for a bit of bumper damage? I can't believe the stupid reasons that people call 999 - really minor stuff that then gets passed on to us.

She would have two hopes in getting the Police to attend a non injury RTC - it is hard enough to get them to attend an injury/allegations one!

dou91e · 19-05-2008, 00:20

i would stick a nice claim 4 whiplash up her +++ and see how she likes them apples
rear end shunt her fault
she rants like a madwoman i would go out of my way to pi++ her off

VRSPhil · 19-05-2008, 07:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emily-Elizabeth

As far as I can work out - Is the issue that you showed your warrant card to the lady?

I think it's more that the lady is accusing Richy of being rude and/or abusive, which if it were true, would be unacceptable from a police officer be them on or off duty.

Richie, I'm sure you'll be OK in the long run. I know how worrying these things can be, but ultimately your inspector is likely to know you, and I'm sure he/she will accept your account of events. It's still unnecessary stress, though

. Best of luck.

ap0gee · 19-05-2008, 08:19

It's your word against hers in the end, so just stick to your story and you should be fine. She's the one who's 'embellishing' the course of events, so the more she jabbers on, the more chance there is that she'll say something that contradicts her own story...

richie · 19-05-2008, 08:41

Thanks folks. I'm going to speak with the federation rep this morning and my Inspector, see how things stand

richie · 19-05-2008, 09:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by westerdam2

It should be ok as far as the complaint is concerned.

You might want to double check your Force Policy re being involved in an accident as an off duty officer. Might also be worthwhile making a discreet mention to your Insp asap ie before any official word comes through the 'system'.

Annoying - especially when you are the innocent party - hope it all works out without any probs.

Spoke to my boss and federation rep today. Both of the oppinion it's a sack of cack. However,if the complaint is against me the police officer, then it will have to be passed onto the complaints dept. If its from Kent police to my boss telling him to "have a word" then my boss said it will go no further.

Captain Sisko · 19-05-2008, 10:26

Maybe she was annoyed that you werent in uniform cause she finds it a turn on?

Hope it all gets sorted out though.
Good Luck

westerdam2 · 19-05-2008, 11:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by richie

Spoke to my boss and federation rep today. Both of the oppinion it's a sack of cack. However,if the complaint is against me the police officer, then it will have to be passed onto the complaints dept. If its from Kent police to my boss telling him to "have a word" then my boss said it will go no further.

As I expected

Even if it goes as far as Complaints and Discipline, I would be astonished if it resulted in anything but 'no case to answer'.

I would try and forget about it now.

heresmo · 19-05-2008, 12:19

Hi richie. First, I know nothing. If I'd run into the back of someone, I'd expect them to rant and rave (after all, our insurance companies tell us never to accept fault irrespective). That said, I normally just take a number plate (I've never asked for insurance details - do people really have those to hand, as we're not required to in this country). I just say "Well, we'll let the insurance companies sort this out."

I don't know what the complaint is against you - you don't say. If you were in any way threatening (and being a stronger man is threatening in itself and especially if you were standing close to me, let alone a police officer with their powers - we read too much on the news) then I (as a woman) would be seriously worried. Quite what she thinks has made your actions any different from any other motorist I guess is the foundation of the complaint. Are policeman meant to say "Thank you Madam for driving into the back of me."?

I don't know. Facts are facts. Hearsay is hearsay. Of course, with insurance claims, it's always "Facts as we remember them." So is conversation, as the shock factor apparently causes us to reconstruct things as "That's how it must have taken place." It's a better man than I that knows one from the other. If taken to task, perhaps listen more and speak less?

Mo

richie · 19-05-2008, 12:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by heresmo

Hi richie. First, I know nothing. If I'd run into the back of someone, I'd expect them to rant and rave (after all, our insurance companies tell us never to accept fault irrespective). That said, I normally just take a number plate (I've never asked for insurance details - do people really have those to hand, as we're not required to in this country). I just say "Well, we'll let the insurance companies sort this out."

I don't know what the complaint is against you - you don't say. If you were in any way threatening (and being a stronger man is threatening in itself and especially if you were standing close to me, let alone a police officer with their powers - we read too much on the news) then I (as a woman) would be seriously worried. Quite what she thinks has made your actions any different from any other motorist I guess is the foundation of the complaint. Are policeman meant to say "Thank you Madam for driving into the back of me."?

I don't know. Facts are facts. Hearsay is hearsay. Of course, with insurance claims, it's always "Facts as we remember them." So is conversation, as the shock factor apparently causes us to reconstruct things as "That's how it must have taken place." It's a better man than I that knows one from the other. If taken to task, perhaps listen more and speak less?

Mo

She hit me. I was stationary at a round a bout and she drove in to the back of me.

Her complaint is that I had a bad attitude and was "aggresive" towards her whist compliying with section 170 Road Traffic Act, ie exchanging details etc. Yet she was the one ranting and raving about me not admitting that the car I was driving was undamaged.

I'm not a mechanic or body work specialist, how did I know if there wasn't damage to the vehicle behinde the bumper?????

18-05-2008, 19:07	#1
richie The Stig Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heading back to Planet Wibble Posts: 3,111 Members Car: octavia vrs Thanks: 132 Thanked 42 Times in 41 Posts	I may be in the 5hit............. As the title says realy. Last Wednesday I had a rear end shut whilst in a Skoda loan car. The woman who hit me was not happy with my attitude as I enforced the legal requirement under the road traffic act for name and address etc. Yes, I was pi55ed off but not rude or abusive. She tolde me she was calling the police to the scene ( bear in mind I had allready ID myself as off duty police ). Kent police did not trun up and told her so, as there was no injury etc. I provided the woman with all the details I could regarding the Skoda I was driving and like wise for the Skoda garage. I had called the garage and informed them of the accident and they asked me to go back so they could check the car over. The woman continued to rant and rave and got very cross when I refused to admit that the Skoda was undamaged. Yes, there were no marks on the bumper, but was there other damage I could not see???? In the end, I told the woman to call Skoda and give them her insurance details and sort it out with them, got in the car and returned to the garage. The Skoda was fine, luckily, it could have cost me £250 excess. Anyway, today a Kent skipper turned up at home asking me for my line managers details as the woman had made a formall complaint!!! He did say it was nothing to worry about and it would all be delt with quickly. I told him I was not Kent police, but from another force. He said that it would be passed on to my Inspector to deal with, but it was still nothing to worry about. Great, a nice day all in all. __________________ Please see my advert in Members Services. Yorkshire born, Yorkshire bred, strong in the arm, thick in the head

18-05-2008, 19:13	#2
VRStu Txt Spk Police Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hampshire Posts: 20,847 Members Car: Audi S3 Thanks: 145 Thanked 999 Times in 895 Posts	Re: I may be in the 5hit............. If you did nothing wrong then surely there isn't an issue. __________________ Stu Stu's Websites - http://www.fabia-vrs.com & http://www.octavia-vrs.com Stu's Car - 2008 Audi S3 - Ibis White, Black Optics Pack, Privacy Glass, Auto Bi Xenon Headlights, Rain Sensing Wipers, Bose Sound System, Ipod Prep, GSM Phone Prep, Flat Bottom Multi Function Steering Wheel, Electric Folding Mirrors, Acoustic Parking, Cruise Control, Interior Light Pack, Non Smokers Pack. SWMBO's Car - 2008 Seat LEON TDi Stylance, Black Magic, Sports Pack, Rear Parking Sensors. Something for Weekend - A Patio

18-05-2008, 19:14	#3
Fezboy Briskodian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Watford Posts: 2,474 Members Car: Mondeo 2.2TDCI Thanks: 21 Thanked 122 Times in 116 Posts	Re: I may be in the 5hit............. So a woman hits YOU and then makes a complaint against you __________________ Octavia VRs *SOLD* The futures somkey! The futures diesel

18-05-2008, 19:42	#5
Tom_vRS Briskodaholic Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Fenland, Cambridgeshire Posts: 11,542 Members Car: '97R BMW 328i Saloon Thanks: 679 Thanked 433 Times in 310 Posts	Re: I may be in the 5hit............. Don't worry about it pal, I'm sure you'll be fine... She's clearly embarassed about crashing and is trying to make herself feel better by getting someone else in trouble... Good luck with it though! __________________ 97/R BMW 328i in Boston Green.

18-05-2008, 20:04	#8
anonymouse Nuts Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Greater Manchester Posts: 8,450 Members Car: Fabia vRS Thanks: 152 Thanked 258 Times in 192 Posts	Re: I may be in the 5hit............. The woman is obviously a total plonka But, really, you shouldn't have put a brochure for SpecSavers on her front seat She's being a tw*t and, in some ways, seemingly trying to shift the blame. We know you're mad - but not mad enough to reverse up and over her bonnet __________________ "Stupidity, if left untreated, is self-correcting." - Heinlein

18-05-2008, 20:24	#9
mattbeef Briskodian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Sheffield Posts: 3,362 Members Car: Red Octy vRS Thanks: 36 Thanked 116 Times in 115 Posts	Re: I may be in the 5hit............. You will be fine mate, you didnt have to tell her you were an off duty officer. Im sure that it will be errmmmm brushed away is the best thing i can say __________________ I few bits here and there but im happy to Performance Torque Go on click me you know you want to

18-05-2008, 20:33	#10
cjb Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Walsall Posts: 1,755 Members Car: Leon TDI DSG or Lupo 16v Sport Thanks: 110 Thanked 114 Times in 110 Posts	Re: I may be in the 5hit............. I fail to see how you are in the ****. You have done nothing wrong. __________________ -- Chris ---------------------------------------------------- The Devil may care, but I don't mind.

18-05-2008, 20:34	#11
FOZ1 Go 4X4 it Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: RH Front seat :) Posts: 1,128 Members Car: Octavia 1.8T 4X4 5DR Thanks: 5 Thanked 24 Times in 24 Posts	Re: I may be in the 5hit............. She hit you from behind, ergo her fault no argument. As you were not rude & abusive you should have nothing to worry about. Just explain calmly & clearly what happened & that although the car showed no signs of damage, you are not qualified to say that the car was undamaged, that is what the insurance pay inspectors to find out. Let your insurance know too, as they may be able to help you with reports etc, Hope it all turns out alright for you mate, let us know. __________________ Out of the asylum.- Into Freedom(Again ) Previous:-Red Citroen ZX Volcane, Chipped, Black Diamond drilled & grooved front discs, Greenstuff pads, Green Induction Kit, 16" Alloys.Powerflow exhaust.

18-05-2008, 20:35	#12
westerdam2 Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: West Scotland Posts: 2,368 Members Car: Was Superb Elegance 2.8v6, now Saab 2.0t Aero Thanks: 34 Thanked 67 Times in 67 Posts	Re: I may be in the 5hit............. It should be ok as far as the complaint is concerned. You might want to double check your Force Policy re being involved in an accident as an off duty officer. Might also be worthwhile making a discreet mention to your Insp asap ie before any official word comes through the 'system'. Annoying - especially when you are the innocent party - hope it all works out without any probs.

18-05-2008, 21:08	#14
mdk1 go green Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Rochester, Kent Posts: 4,173 Members Car: Roomy 3 & Fabia Thanks: 163 Thanked 132 Times in 116 Posts	Re: I may be in the 5hit............. Chin up Richie, as others have said get a quiet word in first with your boss. __________________ Mike. Mine Skoda Roomster 3 TDI in matallic Anthracite Grey MKLJK Swmbo's Skoda Fabia 2.0I Elegance in Dark matallic Blue MKLJK

18-05-2008, 21:09	#15
Emily-Elizabeth Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Essex Posts: 3,650 Members Car: Silver Fabia vRS with cruise and 5 disk CD changer as the 6th slot has stopped working. Thanks: 21 Thanked 22 Times in 21 Posts	Re: I may be in the 5hit............. As far as I can work out - Is the issue that you showed your warrant card to the lady? She sounds like a right nutter - did she actually call 999 for a bit of bumper damage? I can't believe the stupid reasons that people call 999 - really minor stuff that then gets passed on to us. She would have two hopes in getting the Police to attend a non injury RTC - it is hard enough to get them to attend an injury/allegations one!

19-05-2008, 00:20	#16
dou91e Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: BELFAST Posts: 63 Members Car: 2005 BLACK FABIA VRS Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: I may be in the 5hit............. i would stick a nice claim 4 whiplash up her +++ and see how she likes them apples rear end shunt her fault she rants like a madwoman i would go out of my way to pi++ her off

19-05-2008, 08:19	#18
ap0gee ASZ Eternal Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Leafy Chesh-shire Posts: 6,862 Members Car: Black Magic Fabia vRS Thanks: 346 Thanked 366 Times in 317 Posts	Re: I may be in the 5hit............. It's your word against hers in the end, so just stick to your story and you should be fine. She's the one who's 'embellishing' the course of events, so the more she jabbers on, the more chance there is that she'll say something that contradicts her own story... __________________

19-05-2008, 08:41	#19
richie The Stig Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heading back to Planet Wibble Posts: 3,111 Members Car: octavia vrs Thanks: 132 Thanked 42 Times in 41 Posts	Re: I may be in the 5hit............. Thanks folks. I'm going to speak with the federation rep this morning and my Inspector, see how things stand __________________ Please see my advert in Members Services. Yorkshire born, Yorkshire bred, strong in the arm, thick in the head

19-05-2008, 10:26	#21
Captain Sisko Friskodian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Deep Space 9 Posts: 2,451 Members Car: Dainty Little skoda Felicia 1.6 Thanks: 44 Thanked 134 Times in 131 Posts	Re: I may be in the 5hit............. Maybe she was annoyed that you werent in uniform cause she finds it a turn on? Hope it all gets sorted out though. Good Luck __________________ 98 Felicia 1.6 GLXI 112000 miles now with a borked head gasket Clickable for "boring" info

19-05-2008, 12:19	#23
heresmo Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 12,554 Members Car: Thanks: 50 Thanked 143 Times in 123 Posts	Re: I may be in the 5hit............. Hi richie. First, I know nothing. If I'd run into the back of someone, I'd expect them to rant and rave (after all, our insurance companies tell us never to accept fault irrespective). That said, I normally just take a number plate (I've never asked for insurance details - do people really have those to hand, as we're not required to in this country). I just say "Well, we'll let the insurance companies sort this out." I don't know what the complaint is against you - you don't say. If you were in any way threatening (and being a stronger man is threatening in itself and especially if you were standing close to me, let alone a police officer with their powers - we read too much on the news) then I (as a woman) would be seriously worried. Quite what she thinks has made your actions any different from any other motorist I guess is the foundation of the complaint. Are policeman meant to say "Thank you Madam for driving into the back of me."? I don't know. Facts are facts. Hearsay is hearsay. Of course, with insurance claims, it's always "Facts as we remember them." So is conversation, as the shock factor apparently causes us to reconstruct things as "That's how it must have taken place." It's a better man than I that knows one from the other. If taken to task, perhaps listen more and speak less? Mo __________________