Use of the word "Police"

Terrontress

I was looking at the embedded video from this post

http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=63124975&postcount=426

And I notice quite clearly the word "Police" written on the side of the car.

I am fairly sure that in the UK, having the word "Police" printed on a car would constitute impersonation of a police officer or vehicle and would therefore be illegal.

Given that the word "Garda" on a vehicle in Ireland denotes it as a police car, can people write the word "Police" freely on any vehicle?

Victor

I think it would be hard to confuse the NYPD with any local police force, however, if it was a generic "Police" design it might be another matter.

getz

there are a lot of classic car shows in the UK, on any day of the week you will see all types and ages of cars on the streets,i live near blackpool and see many cars with NYPD police on the side, driving passed the tower.

Terrontress

I'm talking principally about the Irish context though. I remember reading in the Sunday Times about a man who as his personal transport bought a white Omega and did it up like a Police car. But on public land he has to cover the word Police and the force crest so it must be illegal in the UK.

So it is obviously not illegal to have a yellow stripe down the side of the car as many security firms do.

So get a car, yellow stripe down the side, a clear lightbar which you can't tell which colour it is until it is turned on and put the word "POLICE" up the side. Is it illegal?

By the way, I am just curious. I don't intend to do this. Just wondering what the law says. Probably my interest is as sad as someone who would actually do it but takes a lot less effort!

Terrontress

Alternatively, if you wrongly claim to be, work for, supply, represent or anything the "Police" in the Republic, can this be prosecuted as Garda is the correct term?

sdanseo

I'd say to have Police written on a vehicle or uniform would constitute, or be tantamount to, an attempt to impersonate a Garda given that An Garda Síochana is described by themselves as "Ireland's National Police Service". A show car like the NYPD one would be a reasonable defence in my persona opinion (given that you'd have to have been living under a bloody volcano-sized rock not to know what the NYPD is). It could be illegal under another Act but the below deals with impersonating a Garda:

Note it doesn't actually mention the word police so to convict I presume a liberal interpretation would be needed so I dunno how far a case would get under this particular legislation...

Garda Síoch&#225 wrote: »

60.—(1) A person is guilty of an offence if he or she—
(a) impersonates a member of the Garda Síochána, or
(b) makes any statement or does any act calculated falsely to suggest that he or she is such a member.
(2) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) is liable—
(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding €3,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both, or
(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding €50,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or both.

gerire

I suppose it would all depend on the situation. If it is purely for use as a show car there is obviously no problem; But if he is driving to the show with lights and sirens going it would be a different matter altogether. IMO

Leo Demidov

He's obviously compensating for something...........

Irish_polizei

wexfjord wrote: »

He's obviously compensating for something...........

But you have to admit that you would like to own one, i know i would!!

Leo Demidov

Irish_polizei wrote: »

But you have to admit that you would like to own one, i know i would!!

I think i'll wait for the mid life crisis.

Irish_polizei

wexfjord wrote: »

I think i'll wait for the mid life crisis.

Meh shudnt be long now * Looks at watch* :rolleyes:

Terrontress

I don't know who the hell is compensating for what. I think those guys above are needlessly trying to disrupt. I know their type.

But back to the point at hand. What would someone from that resort in Italy think of coming to Ireland and seeing law enforcement officials with "Garda" on their backs.

It would be like someone going to Italy and seeing "Glendalough" on the back of one!

But, I was just interested in the use of the word "Police" in Ireland, given that it is not the official term but obviously people know what it means.

There seem to be posters trying to disrupt the thread so if a mod could delete or lock it, I'd appreciate it.

Shield

Closed by request.