Police Pursuit Drivers.

[ringway]

On the M60 this afternoon in clear weather and with very light traffic volume I was travelling in lane 2 at 75-80mph when a Police Vx Vectra with blues and two's passed me in lane 3 at (without underestimation) 120-130mph (possibly faster). Obviously on a very urgent call.

I'm sure that 95%+ of pursuit drivers are competant and have been trained to the highest standards. But not every would-be pursuit driver passes the test first time, so how do they train those who aren't naturals?

When training at high speeds, who would be brave enough to be in the passenger seat?

I've never seen a pursuit/traffic car belly-up, so the standards must be high.

So what qualifies a pursuit driver (they are human beings) to be able to travel at such a speed, (sometimes on a daily basis) and reduce the odd's of a mishap given that speed, in a lot of cases is the killer when accidents occur?

What special powers (if any) do the police vehicles have to minimise the risk of accident?

 

[SilverSaloon]

the vehicles usually have no performance/setup modifications, atleast thats what we have been told at both scottish poilice meets so far.

the guys undergo a huge intense training course... certainly the guys we went out with in the pursuit cars definatly knew their stuff and in the passenger seat, although the feeling was quite intense, i felt i was looked after.

try and contact your local training college and try and organise some sort of visit. the one we went to would of answered all your questions and more.

 

[Swiss Toni]

On the M60 this afternoon in clear weather and with very light traffic volume I was travelling in lane 2 at 75-80mph when a Police Vx Vectra with blues and two's passed me in lane 3 at (without underestimation) 120-130mph (possibly faster). Obviously on a very urgent call.

I'm sure that 95%+ of pursuit drivers are competant and have been trained to the highest standards. But not every would-be pursuit driver passes the test first time, so how do they train those who aren't naturals?

When training at high speeds, who would be brave enough to be in the passenger seat?

I've never seen a pursuit/traffic car belly-up, so the standards must be high.

So what qualifies a pursuit driver (they are human beings) to be able to travel at such a speed, (sometimes on a daily basis) and reduce the odd's of a mishap given that speed, in a lot of cases is the killer when accidents occur?

What special powers (if any) do the police vehicles have to minimise the risk of accident?

There is a National Standard - Class 1 / Advanced Driver, but a number of forces provide additional training according to their local needs.

Examples would be FWD (particularly for Volvo fleets), 4WD (particularly for Subarus) and other more specialist skills (motorcycle, TPAC etc).

Defensive Driving builds on the principles in RoadCraft and is something anyone can learn - most obviously through the IAM, where a significant number of their "examiners" are current or ex Police Class 1 / Advanced.

Police vehicles are often to a particular spec - it used to be that the Home Office rules provided a very narrow set of vehicles that were allowed for Police use, now it is (almost) "anything".

Police Spec will often mean poverty spec interior (though aircon is usually standard - on early T5s the windows don't wind down due to armour being fitted...!) - also a facility to leave the engine running without the key being in the ignition so that the car can be left without the battery running down but all of the lights on (if you try to move the car, it stalls).

Even for the bog standard "Panda" there will be minor modifications such as Vectra discs fitted to Astras to improve the brake life and springs & dampers that take account of 2 fullsized occupants wearing (very heavy!) body armour, a full boot inc radio kit and then being driven up kerbs etc...

Most traffic vehicles will be loaded somewhere near their limit (not least due to those 2 occupants and all their armour, ANPR computer etc) so will require suspension settings that can cope.

Would I buy an ex Police Car? Never - not at any price!

Finally, many Police vehicles are fitted with "black box" data recorders that log which kit (lights siren) was in use and the forces excerted on the car (inc speed) for a set period. I believe that when these were first trialled in the Met, they cut the accident rate and also provided evidence that the Police driver was not at fault in a significant number of cases...


Learning to do a running commentary is a great way to improve your skills and actually makes you think about your driving (particularly when you do it on the same daily commute!).

 

[del320]

Did you or ringway read this post?

Clearly, candidates for the job are are vetted carefully before they are even considered. The pass rate is around 95% (that shook us) but there are no second chances if you fail.

Key to pursuit driving is observation and planning. The guys we travelled with are time -served instructors and their roadcraft skills are far beyond anything you will ever experience - unless you have Class I qualifications and above, yourself.

Their ability to keep up a running commentary at machine gun pace was utterly astounding. In the BMW, my driver even had time to observe that his front seat passenger - me - was clearly clenching his buttocks

If only one lesson is learned, it is, don't try outrunning these guys!

 

[alanf]

Why were you clenching his buttocks?

 

[timskemp]

I've never seen a pursuit/traffic car belly-up, so the standards must be high.

Humberside went through a few Volvo V70 T5 Estates early on in the transition to Volvo. Part of the regular route from where they're garaged to Hull is a slightly curving road with high crosswinds (A1079 from Bishop Burton to Hull), elevated from the surrounding fields. It seems that the early V70s didn't have that natty little roof spooler over the rear hatch, and a gust of wind combined with the gentle curve and an enthusiastic right foot put more than one into a field at high speed.

Strangely, that stretch road is now littered with cameras, and yet the only smashes I've seen on there or read about have been the above volvos. Other sections of the road have junctions and things and are notorious for being risky.

 

[MD5]

If only one lesson is learned, it is, don't try outrunning these guys!

Apart from their skills (and thirst for the excitement), as they say; no car is quicker than a police radio!

 

[flango]

I'm sure that 95%+ of pursuit drivers are competant and have been trained to the highest standards. But not every would-be pursuit driver passes the test first time, so how do they train those who aren't naturals?

They dont they usually get kicked out or spotted during the profiling exercise, before you get behind the wheel of a traffic car you have to prove you have the mental attitude to get there, then if you pass the ones that aren't capable are easily spotted at the initial assesment.

When training at high speeds, who would be brave enough to be in the passenger seat?

That would be people like me then Most forces also use external trainers as well that usually come from professional race / defensive driving profession, most forces also use these external trainers to examine the police examiners on a regular basis.

I'm trying to organise a visit to South Yorks Road Police & Air Support unit, but my main contact is off on holiday at the moment so will keep you posted if I manage it but South Yorks are not usually very amenable to this sort of thing, but I can ask for nothing.

 

[ringway]

That would be people like me then

Rather you than me.
I'm an awful passenger and I could not do that sort of work at any price.

I suppose it depends on the standard of the driver though...

 

[hygt2]

Lots of training and re-training and regular QA by other police instructors in other areas.

I stand to be corrected but I believe the training involved about 35 hours of driving plus additional hours in classroom/theory.

Key to the driving is observation and information, both receiving and giving - you cannot plan for what you haven't seen! Complete knowledge of warning signs and highway code is a must.

The final bit of the observation is for the driver to link what he observed to potential hazards. One example would be on a narrow single carriageway in the countryside, if I see a lot of people at a bus stop opposite the road waiting for a bus, I would consider there maybe a bus coming in the other direction and adjust my speed according through certain hazards.

Out on training, a running commentary is a must, whether I am driving or being driven. The reason is to tell your passenger (and the radio controller) what you see. If I am being driven and the driver didn't speak of a hazard while accelerating towards it, I would be very worried as I am not sure whether the driver would have seen the hazard and planned how to deal with it!

I don't believe the cars are modified post-production but I know all the police select certain options, such as on Vectra the suspension have the GSI-spec option fitted but the alloy wheels would not be ticked as the 17" wheels are prone to cracking when driven on to a kerb at speed so steel wheels are better suited for purpose.

 

[hygt2]

3 clips from the Liver delivery from M11 J7 to west London Cromwell Road hospital in the earlier 80s.

Fantastic piece of Police Advanced Driving - throughout the run you rarely feel threatened/dangerous except for the section on high street Leytonstone.

Keep an eye on the road for hazards and the speed of approaching and leaving the hazards, bearing in mind they are running 70s Rover.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yvanz2jFJug

Enjoy

 

[flango]

I don't believe the cars are modified post-production but I know all the police select certain options, such as on Vectra the suspension have the GSI-spec option fitted but the alloy wheels would not be ticked as the 17" wheels are prone to cracking when driven on to a kerb at speed so steel wheels are better suited for purpose.

I think it depends on the force and type of car, I know usually the Volvo T5's aren't modified further as they have multiple ECU's as standard so its not an easy job.

The Scoobys and Evo's used in our area are remapped which also removes the limiter and I believe some forces further North re map the BMW diesels they have which again removes the limiter.

Seems to be a switch in West Yorks from Volvo to BMW as they are now running X5, 535d, 335d saloons & estate must have been time to change the fleet and I'm not sure if the new V70 T5 has type approval yet

 

[wemorgan]

Any idea why some Police forces are switching to BMWs?
Is it due to better residuals?
RWD favoured over FWD?

 

[flango]

Any idea why some Police forces are switching to BMWs?
Is it due to better residuals?
RWD favoured over FWD?

I think it was mainly that the fleet replacement coincided with the Volvo V70 and S60 T5's not having Home Office type approval. The interiors had dramatically changed due to the inclusion of the floating centre console, this meant all the police toys had to be totally repositioned to ensure the cars occupants remained safe and I think this took longer than anyone expected including the boys at Fords Special Vehicle Centre where they are fitted out.

I also guess the switch to diesel has something to do with it BMW are in a league of their own with high power diesels but most police drivers I know do not like them at all. A 535d at high speed over 150 mph becomes a very unstable vehicle with even the slightest puff of wind and as for the X5 at speed fine in a straght line but thats where it ends.

I find it strange how some forces choose the cars and suspect its the accountant that makes the choice not the people at the sharp end that know what they want.

 

[dale]

I been thinking recently, i really want to be a traffic cop but know i dont have the balls to stand up to anyone lol.. i'm only 5ft 6 and 8stone, couldn't intimidate a fly! lol! i think it would be a cracking career though...

 

[hygt2]

Any idea why some Police forces are switching to BMWs?
Is it due to better residuals?
RWD favoured over FWD?

Total price at the time of fleet replacement, inc. conversion, commission, future costs of decommission, etc.

 

[robert.saunders]

... I'm not sure if the new V70 T5 has type approval yet

Cambs Police use the new V70, gradual switch-over in progress

Quick google, here is one:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3359/3562991433_84a94471dd.jpg?v=1243273196

 

[flango]

Cambs Police use the new V70, gradual switch-over in progress

Quick google, here is one:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3359/3562991433_84a94471dd.jpg?v=1243273196

Yep just been told it now has type approval but it did take ages to get it which is why forces could not order it, some switched manufacturer as would appear W Yorks did. S Yorks not sure will have to find out as they are still running some pretty old T5's

 

[hygt2]

I been thinking recently, i really want to be a traffic cop but know i dont have the balls to stand up to anyone lol.. i'm only 5ft 6 and 8stone, couldn't intimidate a fly! lol! i think it would be a cracking career though...

The driving is only a small part of being a traffic cop which is only a small part of law enforcement.

From speaking with the traffic cops I know, I believe you have to be very competent as a police office before you move to traffic.