The Defected Thread...

[CRoNic...]

I once got defected for my centre grill. The previous owner of the car had replaced the centre grill (which is barely 20cm's in size) with a mesh piece. Yes, this got written onto the defect notice and yes, the inspector at Regency literally laughed at that.

That was amongst other defects the car got, but cummon... a centre grill with mesh? Since when is this a f*cking defect. It DOESN'T affect body structure, crash impact zones, etc. it's not like I replaced my chassis with broom sticks and made a cardboard boot and bonnet...

I was done by 2 young coppers who were the 2 rudest cops I've ever encountered. What did I do? I made a complaint. Not only did they mistake my boost gauge for "a second tacho" but the mouthing that they gave me was pretty rich. I had a witness with me, too.

So, I filled out the forms and happily made the complaint. By law, the branch which you submit the complaint to must follow through the complaint. You cannot make a complaint about a off-duty police officer, however.

For more reading, plus the Act that it's governed under:

http://www.pca.sa.gov.au/PCAmain.htm

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/sa/cons...t/padpa1985434/

You can't complain about getting defected for a legit defect, but you can complain about getting defected for a non-legit (eg. Like my defect, or Vu's airbox defect).

If you think you're being treated unfairly, etc. Just whip out a pen and paper. Ask for their badge ID and start taking notes... just as they'd take notes if they pinged you for something serious.

You only need to ask for their permission if you're going to stick a voice recorder into the situation...

BTW the car in my story isn't my GTR.

Edit: Sled, spot on. MP's are usually the way to go.

Edited January 13, 2009 by CRoNic...

[rhys5169]

no doubt Rhys, but it may fall on deaf ears unfortunately.

If all of you that have had experiences with him had a similar outcome and feel justified in pursuing it, get together and go and see your local MP first.

By following proper channels you'll have a bigger voice.

its a 50/50 chance, i have heard from a friend and member on here that he had an officer harrasing him unfairly for a few months, he made a formal complaint and the officer has not spoken to him since. but i completely understand where you are coming from, some stations may just throw it in the bin.

[typevu]

I just called up regency... they CAN accept pod filters if it is secured... BUT "technically" your NOT allowed to modify anything from the air intake to the catalytic converter.

[Damo_R34]

so "technically" your not allowed to fit an aftermarket front mount intercooler, regardless of reo/chassis modification?

this "technically" means that SAPOL may issue defects for pod and intercooler, regardless of legality, as it is up to regency to determine compliance with ADRs?

[SLED]

Damo, I think you're starting to understand the differences between what is law and what is actually enforced

[mid life crisis]

my lad got doe for a fmic and a pod i rang regency and they laughed said no probs with those mods . took the car to elizabeth police station they rang regency and defect was lifted . car was ment to go to regency but they told us to take it too nearest police station

[SLED]

lol, that seems to be happening more & more these days Deano.

I wonder how many have been to Regency for minor things that could've been lifted at the local cop shop

[RubyRS4]

I was done by 2 young coppers who were the 2 rudest cops I've ever encountered. What did I do? I made a complaint. Not only did they mistake my boost gauge for "a second tacho" but the mouthing that they gave me was pretty rich. I had a witness with me, too.

So, I filled out the forms and happily made the complaint. By law, the branch which you submit the complaint to must follow through the complaint. You cannot make a complaint about a off-duty police officer, however.

For more reading, plus the Act that it's governed under:

http://www.pca.sa.gov.au/PCAmain.htm

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/sa/cons...t/padpa1985434/

You can't complain about getting defected for a legit defect, but you can complain about getting defected for a non-legit (eg. Like my defect, or Vu's airbox defect).

If you think you're being treated unfairly, etc. Just whip out a pen and paper. Ask for their badge ID and start taking notes... just as they'd take notes if they pinged you for something serious.

Too true. I've always encountered good cops, but I did encounter one bad cop some years ago. Defected my bike for indicators! I wasn't disputing that my bike wasn't defectable (full race system and noisy back then, and a number plate mod/undertail) but he did me for indicators which were perfectly legal! His attitude was to send me to Regency for ANYTHING and let them sort me out. Regency also had a laugh when I turned up, they couldn't believe the "rubbish they're doing you for nowdays". I copped the defect on the chin however, but I wasn't tolerating his attitude. He was rude, almost caused an accident, and slyly worked on antagonising me with "I know you're type" and other unnecessary comments. I reported him thru the standard process and he had in fact been an unpopular cop so I found out. Still don't think badly of cops, just that one. Rarely are there assholes, and they are only following orders afterall.

I won't take anyone's side here but reading through some of the posts about this Neil fella, I don't recall reading anything that he has done that wouldn't be within the parameters of the law.

At the end of the day, he only needs to suspect that you have a vehicle that doesn't comply with ADR's or emissions and within his power can pull you over. He doesn't have to measure anything either, to send you to Regency.

Based on the little that I've read in regards to his methods (and I know he's become a nemesis to many of you), one complaint alone to his sarg (cause he's only a conny) without any substantiated evidence of ill treatment towards any of you, will end up either in their shredder or bathroom for when they run out of toilet rolls.

A few harsh words from a copper may hurt your feelings but will hardly get him a reprimand, let alone off the force!

30 years ago you would've copped a boot up the ass from him as part of the deal, lol.

If you drive a non compliant vehicle and they eventually catch up with you, smile and cop it on the chin cause it was good while it lasted.

Yeah, old school cops got the job done. Now they can't say boo to you without being "investigated" so drivers push their luck over and over. Crims and hoons seem to have more rights than they do doing their job. A good flogging however would sort them out.

Sled for President!

Enuf said

[CRoNic...]

Haha +1 Ruby. Pete for Prezzy.

[PREISS]

Complaints do not fall on deaf ears. where is everyone getting there info from.

My friends dad is a officer who deals with complaints and wrong doings in the big CBD office , and is in charge of deciding the punishment.

If a single cop is gaining enough complaints there will be something done.

the key is to find where and who to complain to.

[Nonie_13]

Ok i think I'm the start of this little fight here. I'm not complaining about the defect I illegally modified my car and i got caught, however all i had to say is I don't see how/why they would pull over a clean responsibly driving skyline when u see wankers driving around in various cars all the time.

No Neil isn't a bad guy but yes he did say he's willing to work with the SAU community, but if we illegally modify our cars he will ocntinue to defect us.

[RubyRS4]

Ok i think I'm the start of this little fight here. I'm not complaining about the defect I illegally modified my car and i got caught, however all i had to say is I don't see how/why they would pull over a clean responsibly driving skyline when u see wankers driving around in various cars all the time.

No Neil isn't a bad guy but yes he did say he's willing to work with the SAU community, but if we illegally modify our cars he will ocntinue to defect us.

As long as he keeps working within the parameters of the law and import drivers continue to mod outside the parameters of the law, yes.

For the record, I've seen far more hoons in imports than cops in patrol cars... unfortunately.

[mid life crisis]

how come this car hasent got a defect for a scratched windscreen?

[RubyRS4]

how come this car hasent got a defect for a scratched windscreen?

What about the modifications to the body of the car!!!

[scandyflick]

mmmm, yeah, im fairly sure a chopped top is illegal.

[J - Rad]

Ok i think I'm the start of this little fight here. I'm not complaining about the defect I illegally modified my car and i got caught, however all i had to say is I don't see how/why they would pull over a clean responsibly driving skyline when u see wankers driving around in various cars all the time.

No Neil isn't a bad guy but yes he did say he's willing to work with the SAU community, but if we illegally modify our cars he will ocntinue to defect us.

Completely agree with you. I don't see why we should be stalked through side streets and pulled up in shopping centre carparks for a defect. That is my main issue with this whole thing. Most of the people that have been defected have been in a carpark, leaving there car and called back to it. I just think its become to stupid. It's just another way to control the population, defect all their cars and then they will just sell up and we won't have to deal with them.

[(OO)Firty Free(OO)]

Completely agree with you. I don't see why we should be stalked through side streets and pulled up in shopping centre carparks for a defect. That is my main issue with this whole thing. Most of the people that have been defected have been in a carpark, leaving there car and called back to it. I just think its become to stupid. It's just another way to control the population, defect all their cars and then they will just sell up and we won't have to deal with them.

Well said, VU is a classic example of minding his own business and getting pulled over anyway because of the car he chooses to drive.

[J - Rad]

Just a question because I've never been defected before.

Just say I got defected for Coilovers and wheels to large. The officer gives me 24 hours to drive around on it. If I change the items that I am defected for and take it to a cop shop to show that I've fixed the problems, do I avoid regency?

[ecenshu]

Just a question because I've never been defected before.

Just say I got defected for Coilovers and wheels to large. The officer gives me 24 hours to drive around on it. If I change the items that I am defected for and take it to a cop shop to show that I've fixed the problems, do I avoid regency?

Nope, they'll just sign the back of the Defect notice to allow you to drive up to the date of your Regency appointment...provided you have booked an appointment first and they can only do this if they can confirm the booking! You must do this during business hours of Regency, the station will call to confirm said booking.

[rad100]

haha we went at 6:30 to get scotts signed off.. got a great chick cop who didnt know wat she was looking at and gave him the signature haha..

was awsome!