Camera detected traffic related offences committed by drivers of ...

CENTRAL REGION
CR Policy Circular …./2011
DATE: 25 November 2011
TO:
FROM:
Distribution List
Assistant Commissioner,
Central Region
REFERENCE: CR 11/
SUBJECT:
Camera detected traffic related offences committed by drivers of
Police Service vehicles.
References Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995
Operational Procedures Manual
Commissioner’s Circulars 24/2007 – “Safe Driving Policy”
Commissioner’s Circulars 34/2008 – “Significant Event Review Panels”
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I
C E S E R V I C E
1. BACKGROUND
The Significant Event Review Panel (SERP) is charged with the critical analysis of the
appropriateness of the police actions so that opportunities for learning and improvements
may be identified at the individual, work unit and whole-of-Service levels (e.g. improved
practices, changes to equipment, more effective policies and procedures). The driving of
Police Service vehicles, including camera detected offences (both red light and speed camera
activations) and officer detected breaches, is just one of the areas of oversight responsibility
held by SERP.
It has been identified that the finalisation of investigations into camera detected offences are,
on occasion, hampered, by the time taken between the time of detection and notification of
the camera detected offence, and the inordinate time and the onerous extent into which
some investigators delve. This lapse in time has hindered both the identification of the driver
of the Service vehicles and the corroborated justifications and exculpations not being
recorded or substantiated. This potentially exposes Central Region (CR) and its Districts with
additional, unnecessary administrative workload and discomfiture.
2. SCOPE OF THIS DOCUMENT
This policy is designed to provide, as an alternative to a full investigation, a structured
response to minimise the administrative and investigative tasks and timeframes associated
with camera detected offences committed by drivers of Queensland Police Service (QPS)
vehicles. Further it is designed to assist SERP in the adjudication of camera detected
DISTRIBUTION LIST
Chief Superintendent – Operations
District Officer – Rockhampton
District Officer – Mackay
District Officer – Gladstone
District Officer – Longreach
Regional Crime Co-ordinator
Regional Crime Prevention Co-ordinator
Regional Intelligence Co-ordinator
Regional Traffic Co-ordinator
Regional Information Manager
Regional Education & Training Co-ordinator
Regional Complaints Manager
Regional Human Resources Manager
Regional Projects Manager
Q U E E N S L A N D P O L I C E S E R V I C E

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offences and to ensure expeditious finalisation of all camera detected offences subject to
SERP overview by the Assistant Commissioner CR
POLICY
3. ROLE OF SERP
A camera detected offence is a SERP matter, and will be overviewed or investigated to
establish any liability and address any areas of identified concern or trend of a particular
individual officer or work-unit.
The SERP as part of its overviewing role, may examine investigations conducted into camera
detected offences and may provide recommendations and directions as to whether
enforcement or managerial action is to be taken.
4. ROLE OF THE DRIVERS OF POLICE VEHICLES AND CAMERA OPERATORS
4.1 Drivers of a Police Vehicle
In all instances where the drivers of a police vehicle become aware or reasonably believe that
the police vehicle driven by them has been detected by a speed camera or red light camera
must take the following actions:-
4.1.1 The activity log is to be noted with the time and location of detection and
circumstances surrounding detection. Similar brief details are to be recorded on the
driver’s station or establishment occurrence sheets kept in compliance with s. 1.6.3 to
1.6.7. of the Operational Procedures Manual. If no occurrence sheet or activity log is
kept at the driver’s station or establishment, then the details as outlined above are to
be recorded in the driver’s official police notebook or police diary and presented to
the driver’s officer in charge at the earliest opportunity.
4.1.2 If the camera detection occurs during the course of a job allocated by Police
Communications Centre, the Police Communications Centre is also to be advised of
the time and locations of the activation, and circumstances surrounding the detection,
and request that a notation be placed on the job record.
4.1.3 If a speed camera is activated during the course of intercepting a vehicle in the
performance of a function of the service, then in addition to the actions above, the
driver should, where practicable, personally take up with the speed camera operator
to source details of the detection, ensuing that those details, along with details of
police action.
4.1.4 If the driver of the police vehicle is a staff member or recruit, then they are to advise
the Regional Traffic Coordinator (RTC) at their earliest opportunity.
4.2 Speed Camera Operators
4.2.1 In all instances where the operator of a speed camera unit becomes aware or
reasonably believes that a police vehicle has been detected by a speed camera
exceeding a speed limit, they are to advise Police Communications Centre, via police
radio, as soon as practicable of the time, location of the detection, and details of the
subject police vehicle.
4.2.2 The operator is to record that notification on the Set Up and Deployment Log (Page 2)
against the relevant frame number.
5. REPORTING
5.1 In all instances when the drivers (i.e. any member of the service – a police officer, staff
member or recruit) of a police vehicle become aware or reasonably believe that the police
vehicle driven by them, has been detected by a speed camera or red light camera, may take
the action to self-report the detection, by completing and submitting the form “Report of a
camera detected offence” (see attachment). The form is to be forwarded electronically to
the driver’s officer in charge for completion. The officer in charge, having completed his/her

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section of the form, will then forward the form to the district officer, supervising
commissioned officer or manager. Upon completion of the form at that level, the form will be
forwarded electronically to the RTC. If there is no officer in charge position, the form may be
sent directly to a supervising commissioned officer or manager for completion. This process
should effectively be completed within 72 hours.
5.2 In cases where a camera detected offence has not been self reported, the RTC will determine
whether a completed form “Report of camera detected offence” is sufficient for SERP
adjudication and finalisation purposes, or whether a full and complete discipline investigation
is warranted.
6. THE “REPORT OF A CAMERA DETECTED OFFENCE” FORM
6.1 The “Report of a camera detected offence” form will be located on the CR Sharepoint web
page attached to this regional policy document. It may be downloaded from that site.
6.2 The RTC CR is responsible for the maintenance of the form: “Report of a camera detected
offence”.
ORDER
District Officers and Managers are to bring the contents of this Circular to the attention of all staff
under their control.
A G DAVEY
Assistant Commissioner
Central Region