By JASON COLLIE, transport reporter
Speeding police officers are clocked breaking the law almost every second day.
Figures obtained by the Herald reveal that at least 886 officers driving police vehicles have paid speeding fines after being caught by the force's cameras since February 1994.
Police Minister George Hawkins admitted last night: "It's not good news," and added that the police should set an example to motorists.
The figures, released by the national road safety manager, Superintendent Neil Gyde, show that 3449 officers were let off speeding tickets because they were legitimately carrying out their duties when caught by speed cameras between February 1994 and the end of last year.
Explanations were accepted from a further 175 and the tickets were dropped.
But 886 officers were speeding illegally and have paid their tickets, which were initially issued in the name of their local district commander.
In a further 287 cases, the tickets were transferred to the individual officers' names, but the records do not show whether they paid or fought the charges.
The numbers mean that a police officer is caught speeding illegally about every two days.
Mr Gyde said that in most cases, the officers were not exceeding the speed limit by much.
Mr Hawkins said he was aware of how many officers were getting caught, but it was a matter for district commanders.
"It's too many, but it just shows that for the New Zealand police they do not get away with it.
"The police have a job to do on showing the public how they behave, and police vehicles going too quickly with no excuse have no sympathy from me."
Traffic law specialist Zahir Mohamed said: "No sane person should accept that as acceptable. Officers should obey the law because they are there to set the example."
Last night both Mr Gyde and the Automobile Association public affairs director, George Fairbairn, defended the police stance on the speeding officers.
Mr Gyde said there were 2.4 million drivers nationwide and more than one million tickets had been issued since cameras were installed in November 1993.
"We have 7000 police officers and roughly 1000 tickets. One in seven is a whole lot better than the general population.
"In many cases it is simply because the officer cannot adequately recall the circumstances in which the speeding occurred.
"The very nature of police work involves driving at speed from place to place after urgent calls."
Mr Gyde said staff getting a ticket did not face any formal internal discipline.
Mr Fairbairn said speeding was a human failing, and the figures showed that officers were not getting special treatment.
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