Image of illegally parked car is too old, says RCIPS
(CNS): The RCIPS said a picture of a police car parked in an illegal spot is not, as indicated on the date stamp, a recent image but at least two years old, preventing them from investigating the matter. The picture, which was posted on Facebook and sent to CNS by a reader, angered the Blue Spot campaigners who are working hard to keep able-bodied drivers out of disabled parking bays but who have catalogued numerous occasions where police officers are using the parking spots despite not being on an emergency call.
On this occasion the police say it is too old for the Professional Standards Unit to pursue the possible parking infraction.
The parking space in question at Camana Bay is no longer designated for disabled drivers or passengers and they say the image is misleading the public.However, as result of police being caught on camera abusing parking spaces on numerous occasions the issue remains a real concern. The police management have stated, however, that the RCIPS does take these parking abuses seriously.
“We do take this offence seriously and regret that due to the significant passage in time that it might be difficult to identify the officer responsible. All of our officers are aware that such violations will be prosecuted pursuant to the Traffic Law,” an RCIPS spokesperson stated.
Earlier on Monday (when the image was believed to have been taken last week) the police commissioner had also told CNS that the matter was being investigated and if the circumstances were as they appear — that an officer was not attending an emergency — the driver would receive a ticket.
“The public has a right to expect officers not to abuse their positions or flout the law. I expect that also,” Commissioner David Baines said. “Officers are being repeatedly reminded of their obligations, however if common sense and logic do not work, then enforcement will be the approach taken, in order to reinforce the basic standard of conduct and care I expect and the public deserves.”
Security personnel at Camana Bay stated that the picture shows a blue spot parking space that has since been changed to a regular parking slot. (See photo above)
Category: Local News
I don't give a damn when it happened. It still happened! And it's proof that police abuse their power and rights.
13:09.Taken out of context ,this means absolutely nothing.By that I mean if this occurred outside of business hours, then I see absolutely mothing wrong with it.If the officer was responding to a situation that required immediate attention (perhaps the officer was passing through when they were informed of a fight taking place nearby and asked to look into the matter as they were already on the scene) ,then I believe the action was justified.Again ,if pictures are posted without relevant background ,they can be misleading.One more thing:Name and Shame is not the best way to gain support for any cause,in fact one is more likely to lose a potential supporter or supporters using such an in your face approach.(It's like loudly calling someone a cheapskate,then quietly asking them to buy you a meal;probably will not happen.)
13:09.You might not give a damn if you are not the one being accused :but what if you parked in a similar Blue Spot in front of a bank but it was on a Bank Holiday. I bet you would give a damn then,and protest loudly that you did nothing wrong.So yes it matters when the picture was taken.
Today I followed a cop car that made a dangerous righthand turn against oncoming traffic without any indication. I had to brake and so did the oncoming traffic. Had I had a passenger in my car to video the inconsiderate driving, I would have followed them and submitted it to CNS. Whoever finds themselves able to document their appalling driving, please do so and post it up for shaming. There should be ample material because there has been no change, Mr Baines!
My sister is mentally disabled this and some peoples comments disgust me.
Police officers seem to think they do not need to wait in line at gas stations,or banks. they park where ever they want and have a attitude of superiority. Every time a uniformed officer walks into the gas station on walkers road they walk straight to the cashier, despite however long the line is. At cafe delsol in GT where i work they are always illegally parked to get theyre coffee. If something in wrong for 1 it should be wrong for all. No double standards.
10:37.Perhaps the operators of the Walkers Rd service station, as part of their civic duty have extended this courtesy to police officers so that they can get back on duty asap.
Regardless of the time stamp – it happens! I have to laugh when I go to the supermarket on Saturdays and see the same car going round and round the parking lot until the driver can get a space right by the entrance rather than walk 50 yards, I've already done my shopping and on my way home and they are still trying to get that elusive space – so ridiculously lazy.
09:23 Why do you assume that it is laziness. Perhaps this individual has a mild handicap but would rather leave the Blue Spot for someone who they feel might need it more.By the way how do you know why they were circling.You seem to have a lot of time to mind OPB (Other People Business).
With technology these days, they could cut and paste it to make it look real too. The limits some people would go to, to make the police look bad; the same people who are quick to call them when they are in trouble.
How about photographing all these disabled slots that are empty all day long and depriving the public of much needed spaces. We have far too many, taking into account the very limited demand.
Ignorant person.. Wait till you are old and Ned a spot…
Old does not mean disabled. There is a difference.
nor is laziness, it is rare to find a carpark full up. People just want to park to minimise a walk, which is laziness. That particular Camana Bay spot has 3-4 levels of parking above it. God gave you legs for a reason other than kicking disbaled people while their down, try using them for walking.
I saw a female RCIPS officer get out of her car, leave it running to keep it cool inside, and go shopping last weekend. You don't think twice about wasting gas when you're not paying for it.
Who has time to go shopping on duty?
Good somebody woke up enough to change this spot. There are FAR too many disabled spaces throughout this island.
If the police took the situation seriously then someone please confirm if they have fined the police officers that have been photographed in these handicap spots?
Yeah they should replace some with Mommy and Baby spaces – kids are much more of a drag then a bit of arthritus. Especially as the only "medicine" is drinking enough red wine to drown them out, but unfortunately you cant drink and drive sooo…. more Mommy and Baby spaces so we can get in and out quickly and get home and have a drink 😉
The disable spots were actually moved so staff could access a store room. The store room is being blocked by the brown car in the picture above. It would appear regular civilians can't read either.
Seems they need to dismantle some more disabled spots so civilians don't do dat crap.
you are an idiot just hope that YOU will not end up looking for a blue spot one day
then you would realize the bs that you write !
They say it takes an idiot to find one. And speaking of writing BS….
Problem is that there are far too many lazy people in Cayman and instead of being grateful that they can put their legs to work and walk a few extra steps, they feel that they are entitled to park their fat asses right by the front door!
I guess that excludes me. I 've got the sexiest ass you ever did see.
just a shame its on your face
You should know.
Honey you"ve got it all wrong. You see, my face is even sexier than my ass. I just hate it when folks envy me.
Yet another PSU cop out! There's always an excuse isn't there? How many officers have done something wrong then been allowed to quietly leave RCIPS so it can't be followed up. When the police can't police themselves you have a real problem developing.
It's probably a little more prozaic than a massive police cover-up, I would bet that they don't have a record of who was using what car over two years ago, or if they were on a call. After all ifthey had been called to deal with a drunk or shoplifter they probably wouldn't have left the car with lights flashing parked in a covered garage.
Now that we know that we are being duped by someone using an outdated picture ,can we find out who did this so that we can name and shame them in the same manner that they wanted to name and shame the RCIPS.
02:32, the picture might be old, but it doesn't detract from the fact that they park in handicapped spots.
moron ! it souldn't really matter how old the picture is
are u stupid ? wrong is wrong !!
16:15 Suppose they were not wrong;if this was outside business hours then certainly they did nothing wrong.Maybe they were on a stakeout. You assume that they were wrong without knowing the facts. You know what they say :Be careful when you ASSUME anything,it can make an ASS of U and ME.
Too old? Worst. Excuse. Ever.
OK genius. Explain to us mere mortals how you would work out who was driving the car when you do not know what exact date the picture was taken.
I know, and how exactly did they decide it was the same spot that has been painted over, I don't see any numbering on the spot or wall behind it.
Camana Bay confirmed it themselves – they don't have that many blue spots. Do you need to see the number on your house to know it's where you live???
wow look at all the thunbs down
you people make me sick !
We would hope a more punative career consequence awaits an offending uniformedofficer than a mere traffic citation. Suspension without pay, a probation observation period, re-certification training, these would be a more appropriate responses – and the ticket, of course.
Busted! Book'm, Dano!