Pulled over for speeding by a bylaw services van? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Neeper · 08-04-2006, 07:35 PM

I got pulled over yesterday by a guy in a bylaw services van. We were both driving on blackfoot where the limit is 60. I was doing 66 no more. I passed him on the right, assuming 6 km/hr more than him. 20 seconds later he puts on his lights and I was thinking to myself, is he really pulling me over?

He asked for my reg and insurance, no problem I gave it to him. He asked me if I knew what the speed was. I told him 60. I also said I know I was speeding doing 66. He said then said he would let me go and not fine me.

So my question is..... Do these guys have the authority to pull someone over and give them a traffic ticket? They enforce city bylaws, but are they allowed to enforce provincial laws such as the Traffic Act? I was very polite to him because I didn't want confrontation. In my mind, I didn't think I was going to get a ticket anyways.

Personally, I think he was on a power trip and probably pulled me over for another reason other than speeding. But I don't want to debate about that.

FlamesAddiction · 08-04-2006, 07:42 PM

Pulled over by a dog catcher, pretty much.

I don't know for sure, but I would think that he was out of his juristiction. I would call the police station and ask them.

RedMan12 · 08-04-2006, 08:04 PM

thats messed up. You should make a complaint to the city. Got pulled over by a meter maid, pretty much.

Eddie Bronze · 08-04-2006, 08:16 PM

Which car were you driving when he pulled you over?

You did the right thing Neeper, I likely would have told him to get bent.

Daradon · 08-04-2006, 08:25 PM

Isn't there some rule about a 'citizens' arrest'? Really that anyone could do it, but most people don't for fear of getting their ass kicked. As someone working for the city, he's got a little more visibility.

I once pulled over a cop that was speeding 80 in a 60 zone, and failed to singal twice (was almost weaving). They didn't have their signal lights on. Ahhh 16, it's nice being invincible.

They were not impressed... But nothing happened with it.

But yeah, in your case, they can't write you a ticket.

That's one of the weirdest, and stupidest things I ever heard. Especially if you really were going only 6 km/h over. Sounds like a power trip. How'd he pull you over, flash his amber lights?

Bobblehead · 08-04-2006, 08:48 PM

There have been a number of people "deputized" (or something similar) that are to help the police enforce some of the traffic laws. Although I thought they were only in more spread out areas that cops don't get to as often as they should. And I don't know that they would be in a bylaw van.

Regulator75 · 08-04-2006, 08:53 PM

You should of called 311 and talked to his boss.

This is a first, never heard of this before.

Ironhorse · 08-04-2006, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

There have been a number of people "deputized" (or something similar) that are to help the police enforce some of the traffic laws.

Hmm, I wish they would deputize me already. I'd have no problem writing out a couple of tickets a day (or meeting my quota

) based on the driving I see in front of me on a daily basis.

AC · 08-04-2006, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daradon

I once pulled over a cop that was speeding 80 in a 60 zone, and failed to singal twice (was almost weaving). They didn't have their signal lights on. Ahhh 16, it's nice being invincible.

They were not impressed... But nothing happened with it.

Wait, what?

Can we get the full story please?

Jayems · 08-04-2006, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daradon

Isn't there some rule about a 'citizens' arrest'? Really that anyone could do it, but most people don't for fear of getting their ass kicked. As someone working for the city, he's got a little more visibility.

I once pulled over a cop that was speeding 80 in a 60 zone, and failed to singal twice (was almost weaving). They didn't have their signal lights on. Ahhh 16, it's nice being invincible.

They were not impressed... But nothing happened with it.

But yeah, in your case, they can't write you a ticket.

That's one of the weirdest, and stupidest things I ever heard. Especially if you really were going only 6 km/h over. Sounds like a power trip. How'd he pull you over, flash his amber lights?

A citizens arrest can only be made by a civillian when they witness a indictable offence (felony, if you will) or someone is in lawful pursuit by a peace officer or someone who can arrest them lawfully. (You can tackle a guy if he's running from the cops..)

If you are hired to protect property (security) you can arrest for a summary offence (Misdemeanor) such as causing a disturbance, etc.

As per the bylaw guy pulling you over, are you sure it wasn't one of those rural "peace officers / Special constables" Even then, they'd be out of their jurisdiction. Rockyview MD has a few.

Bylaw has several divisions, but i don't think traffic is one and you may have a complaint.

Daradon · 08-04-2006, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnthonyCook

Wait, what?

Can we get the full story please?

I pulled up behind a police cruiser on the Canyon meadow overpass, McLeod, turning onto CM west. As the lights turn they go, and it's very obvious that they are speeding. I had my best friend and sister in the car and I go to them, 'isn't that like the cops, do whatever they want'. Well after that, they proceed to go into the right lane slowly, no signal, then back to the right slowly, no signal, just rippin in front of us. No emergency lights on. They may have even run a red, I forget.

All of us are wondering what the heck they ae doing. Driving kinda erraticly. So I go, 'ok, let's pull them over'. (a bit of a leap, I am aware, but I was like, WTF?) I catch up to them and follow them into Parkland, following them on their route for a good 7 minutes till the release they are being followed. They do a 180 to see if we are still with the and we are. They pull over and roll down their window, I pull up beside them and after looking at there obviously not impressed faces get a little nervous.

Officer: (scowling) 'Yes?'
Me: 'Uhhhhh, you were doing 80 in a 60 zone and failed to signal twice.'
Officer: (gritted teeth) 'Thanks for letting us know.'
Me: 'Uhhh yeah, well ok then.' (Drives off)

To this day I think they might have 'Rodney Kinged' me or taken me into custody had there been no passengers in my car. They did not look happy.

Funny epilogue: Driving by the Midnapore Police Station shortly after that incident they had ericted a sign on their back lot that said, 'Drive as if people are watching you... They are'.

metallicat · 08-04-2006, 11:32 PM

I don't buy your story at all.

Daradon · 08-04-2006, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oilers_fan

I don't buy your story at all.

Wasn't writing it for you. And my buddy in the car posts on this board anyway. But thanks for the attitude.

Resolute 14 · 08-04-2006, 11:52 PM

Happens a lot in Airdrie, where the incredibly low number of police officers per capita is made up by by-law officers, who do indeed have the right to pull you over for speeding.

By-law officers are simply wannabe cops (probably mostly flunked out of the academy), and as such tend to go on power trips. Your story isnt at all surprising.

That all said, I have never heard of a by-law officer in Calgary engaging in a traffic stop. Usually they are restricted to being nothing but glorified meter-maids. This is defintely a case where I would check his jurisdictional rights, and to go over both your ticket and his notes with a fine tooth comb.

Daradon · 08-04-2006, 11:56 PM

^^^ He wasn't fined

Resolute 14 · 08-04-2006, 11:57 PM

Ahh, you are correct. That is unusual in itself.

Daradon · 08-04-2006, 11:57 PM

Probably power trippin, like you said.

Neeper · 08-05-2006, 03:21 AM

The vehicle was clearly marked BYLAW SERVICES. I remember looking at it to make sure I was about to past a cop over 60.

He pulled me over with his red/blue flashing lights. That's why I stopped. You see those lights flash, your first instinct is to stop.

I really wish I got this guy's name so I could file a complaint. I never thought of it at the time. But I think it was embarrasing. " look at that guy, he got pulled over for dog license expiring".

shoestring · 08-05-2006, 03:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neeper

. " look at that guy, he got pulled over for dog license expiring".

If he can read that your dog licence is expiring he is a heckuva bylaw guy. We need more alert fellows.

But I am not sure about him getting involved in Traffic.

soulchoice · 08-05-2006, 03:45 AM

I would have told him where to go.......especially after he said he would let you go this time.