The Police have admitted that they issued more than $20,000 in fines to people illegally entrapped by their window-washer scam. How about a refund then? The sting was illegally conducted and therefore the proceeds of illegal entrapment – the fines and summary offences – are likewise illegal.
Police have handed out more than $20,000 in fines to drivers while aided by an undercover officer impersonating a window washer.
One such officer was spotted at an intersection in Manurewa, south Auckland in early October, looking for people using cellphones at the wheel or running red lights.
Later that day, Inspector Tony Wakelin said the impersonation was not appropriate and staff would be told to stop.
According to data supplied under the Official Information Act, in 2022 there were 144 fines given out by police while using an officer acting as a window washer.
Of those, 68 were for no seatbelt being used (including two for no child restraints), 70 for using mobile phones and six for red light offences.
Each of the notices comes with a $150 fine, bringing the total to $21,600 in fines issued.
Additionally, 23 infringement notices were issued for warrant of fitness or driver’s licence offences, police said.
Stuff
Be that as it may. The enforcement action was illegal. The fines should be expunged immediately. It doesn’t look like the Police are even contemplating that if you read their self-serving pronouncements:
Wakelin said road policing operations were an important part of police’s prevention and enforcement activities, but dressing as a window washer was not appropriate.
He said there were lessons for staff on the appropriate way to conduct those operations in future.
Window washing cars on the road is itself an offence, with Parliament passing a law in 2017 making it illegal. It carries a $150 fine.
“We would remind road users that using a mobile phone whilst driving, which includes when stopped at traffic lights, is both illegal and dangerous,” Wakelin said.
Stuff
Whatever! Rescind the fines, you clown. No wonder no one respects the Police anymore. They can’t even follow the same laws they enforce.
The Police have a long, long way to go to regain public support after episodes like this.
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