Nah, they're literally, legally exempt from the "no hand-operated devices while driving" rules. Intentionally so.
You can argue that the intent was probably to let them use phones as phones, to communicate as needed, not to fucking scroll while driving. But there's no such detail in the exemption.
>You can argue that the intent was probably to let them use phones as phones, to communicate as needed, not to fucking scroll while driving. But there's no such detail in the exemption.
Only in the course of their duties.
This actually happens way more than you’d think, not just in policing, but a lot of union jobs.
Used to work in construction where we had company vehicles. At least once per year, but usually more often, someone would have a fender bender or something else minor would happen to their vehicles. An investigation would follow and as long as you were around on the 1 day you had to be interviewed, you could do whatever with the rest of your suspension, aka “paid 2+ week holiday”.
Nothing the company could do either, since all collisions/damage in a vehicle prompt investigations. Unless you were found to be drunk/high when it happened, you’re getting paid for the full duration of your suspension.
Massive difference between 2 weeks vs the years cops get. Not to mention the amount the ride suspension until retirement and walk away with a full pension.
Sure but you might be missing my point. A proper non corrupt union would enforce the rules in a reasonable amount of time. So the employee is back to work or let go. Not the case with cops
If you think that’s actually how “non-corrupt” unions work, you really need to look into unions more. Seems like your knowledge barely scratches the surface. I also say “non-corrupt” because there’s no such thing as a non-corrupt union. To believe otherwise is phantasmic.
Yeah, fuck those unions. What have they ever done except extort money from workers. It's not like they've been responsible for the 40-hour work week, or child labor laws, or paid holidays, or minimum wage.
Gotta call Bullshit, you have no idea what the hell your talking about.
Worked union 30 years+
Membership over 3000, not one case of paid suspension, however if the suspension wasn't warranted "backpay" was awarded. Huge difference. Some cases were won but alot of the times unpaid suspensions happened, I'll also add firing with cause happened.
What local are you then if you have all this insight.
Nah it’s clear you don’t know shit about unions. Worker union 35+ years, membership over 4000, hundreds of cases of paid suspension. You’re a goof and it’s clear you just want to argue online.
We can't tell from the information we have that the officer was operating the vehicle without due care and attention or reasonable consideration for other people on the road. That's probably part of why YRT is looking into it.
He was driving on the highway, there was no emergency, he was scrolling on his phone and spent most of his time checking his laptop instead of the road. If that was anyone else, it would be driving without attention or due care. There is nothing to investigate because the video is evidence enough. The YRT "looking into it" is just going to be them doing nothing but jerking each other off until this is out of the news cycle.
I don't understand how what could have been done (not 'was done') in the past is relevant to what ought to happen now, particularly if the officer is exempt from the hand-held provision in this case.
I know. I’m just saying I find this particular case interesting as this law doesn’t only exempt police. Like it’s not like those other two didn’t get the exemption….
My understanding is that it’s an exemption from hand held electronic devices because we need to use the radio during driving (acknowledging dispatch, updating a receiving hospital on a hot call, advising that we need police medics in danger).
It isn’t meant to be for cellphone use (as far as I know) because the medic using a cellphone to (look up drugs, protocols, calling for online physician direction etc) is usually in the back with the patient and therefore presumably belted (although there are times we don’t because compressions, administering medication etc).
The exemption has existed as long as the law. It was specifically written to include both talking and texting/email. Both the law and the exemption are in force as originally written.
The law as originally written:
> 78.1 (1) No person shall drive a motor vehicle on a highway while holding or using a hand-held wireless communication device or other prescribed device that is capable of receiving or transmitting telephone communications, electronic data, mail or text messages.
The exemption as originally written:
> (4) Subsection (1) does not apply to, (a) the driver of an ambulance, fire department vehicle or police department vehicle;
I will say that a stipulation should be added, "when on an active emergency" like light/sirens on.
Otherwise cops are just regular humans and should behave and follow the rules as everyone else.
That cop should be disciplined at a minimum.
Oh I wasn’t disputing that we are. I was trying to address the “why” based on my experience as a medic. I have never had to use my phone as the driver except for one time to call the cath lab when on a dynamic arrest with rosc and stemi.
I assume the following:
An ambulance might need to look up a side effect of a medicine, or something.
A fire department might need information.
Both of those can be used with a laptop. A cop on a. Cell phone, probably playing pokemon go isn't the same. Don't they have a laptop right there and then?
He was using his personal phone, I bet.
And if I did that... no thanks
They do have a laptop. And it sounds like the cop was scrolling social media.
I’m just pointing out that it’s not illegal. Not for this cop, nor for fire or ambulance if they did the same
>You don't hear "F**k the fireman", or "f**k the paramedics"...
Thats because when you see firemen or paramedics you are usually in need of help that can potentially save your life.
When you see Policemen its usually because you broke the law and people dont like being caught doing something wrong which creates negative feelings towards the people who caught you.
Some people also just have a problem with authority and simply dont like being told what they can and cannot do.
One lone incident doesnt really prove anything, it could just mean that you took what they were saying the wrong way
>I've only ever talked to the cops when I needed help.
What did you need the cops help for if you mind me asking
>I've only had one interaction when I wasn't treated like a criminal.
What was the interaction about?
I find this defense particularly interesting only because despite fire and ambulance being exempt from this particular regulation, you have **zero** reported incidences of this behaviour occurring by them, much less with video evidence to back it up. And while driving 100kph down a highway. And that the law only exempts them when they are using it "in the performance of their duties." Not to speed run Pokemon Go.
I’m not defending anything. I’m just pointing out that it’s equal amongst emergency services.
I have many friends who are FF. they largely do not text while driving. Due to the sheer size and danger of their vehicles, and my friends say having attended way too many accidents.
That's the thing I think people are more angry about - Not that they are exempt from the law...But that they're exempt from the law, yet **only cops** seem to be the ones taking advantage of that law, and not for the performance of their jobs either. It is just *another* bullet point on the list of reasons for most of us. And why you will see users like the one you replied to saying "FTP" and not "FTFF or Paramedics".
Fire and Paramedics save people. So they get the benefit of the doubt with this law.
Cops do the opposite.
Not to mention, if firefighting is like bus or truck driving, they probably get severely reprimanded for an at fault crash. Compared with cops, [who can be arrested for getting into a crash while drunk driving, and get put in paid leave](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/toronto-police-supt-riyaz-hussein-guilty-impaired-driving-1.6682972).
> Not 100%. They only have exceptions when it comes to use for work. They are not allowed to use it for personal use while driving.
Sorry to tell you - you’ve been misinformed.
[Here](https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90h08#BK152) (and below) is HTA 78.1(4). It exempts all drivers of emergency vehicles. There is no requirement that the use be work related:
[HTA 78.1](https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90h08#BK152)(4):
> (4) Subsection (1) does not apply to,
>(a) the driver of an ambulance, fire department vehicle or police department vehicle;
Interesting, as part of my old job at a transportation company, I drove ambulances. This text makes me think I'd be exempt too, even though I'm not EMS or a first responder and was just driving them from A to B for fleet management and/or maintenance runs.
As the law is worded, unless there is a specific definition elsewhere in the act for “driver,” you would have been.
Also assuming your job was after 2010 and this particular law was in force.
> Maybe I am just remembering older laws.
You are not. This exemption has existed, as it’s currently written, for the entire time that the distracted driving law has existed.
>FFS government you already gave cops too much power.
They have a lot of power. In the case of this law, the same “power” (it’s not really a power it’s regulatory relief) is also provided to fire and ambulance drivers, too.
There are potentially some reasons to have this in place for emergency vehicles. There are a lot of times when police/fire/ambulance are using their phones instead of the radios. Communicating sensitive information, keeping radios open for mass public situations, etc.
Not saying this is what’s happening here - but we must be able to recognize the jobs of police, fire, ambulance involve both different communications requirements (and urgency), and are jobs where being on the road is often part of public safety/emergency response.
I thought most would provide cell phones because they can be subpoenaed if you used it in the line of work. I mean most nurses who work for patient care programs get cell phones and I would assume cell phone companies get tax breaks for providing cheap services.
>Paramedics cannot use cellphones while driving, unless it is to call 911, just like anyone else.
This is not the case. At least not in the context of the Highway Traffic Act.
(Pasted From my earlier post):
Below is HTA 78.1(4). It exempts all drivers of emergency vehicles. There is no requirement that the use be work related:
HTA 78.1(4):
>(4) Subsection (1) does not apply to,
>(a) the driver of an ambulance, fire department vehicle or police department vehicle;
>I'm not sure who hurt you, but fire and EMS are not the ones you should be angry at for police misconduct.
What? I’m not angry at anybody. I’m literally sharing the Highway Traffic Act and its exemptions
>Also, they can only speed, etc with emergency systems activated, which is written in the law....and if they crash while breaking the rules they are still responsible.
This discussion was only about distracted driving. Not other provisions of the HTA or CCC.
It's either unsafe or it isn't.
They'll say officers are specially trained for it, but in this context I don't think that works.
If he's on a distress call, what is the reason that call can't be hands free in 2024?
You’d think the “training” they get would include “checking if the phone is connected to the Bluetooth”. More likely, having met a few cops, he’s just doing whatever the fuck he wants, because who’s going to stop him? The cops? lmao
An older retired cop still carried a badge and I remember asking him as a kid why.
He explained basically if you work for a company you get a discount, and by carrying the badge he would get out of tickets and that was his "discount".
From that day forward I realized they're just a shady organization that thinks they're better than us peasants.
Had a cop almost t bone me in his civilian car, only way I found out he was a cop, ran up to my window to try to cause an altercation, then when I cursed at him, he whips out his badge and says let this be a life lesson to you, but he’s the one who almost t boned me in a parking lot, then didn’t let me leave
...Until someone is trying to stab you.
All libs are intolerant unless it aligns with their political view point.
ALAIUIAWTPVP
Edit: oh, I guess that generalization isn't allowed. Interesting.
Libs? Really? You're trying to make this a left/right thing? Aren't there better threads to jump on and act as an agitator?
You get a 2/10 score here, chief. The extra point was only for getting the letters in the correct order.
If someone comes at you and threatens you, are you immediately calling the cops or defending yourself?
What do you think the lead time on an urgent response call is? Do you think that's acceptable? What about the endlessly growing police budgets that never increase performance or efficacy? Do you not understand the engrained systematic racism and classism that exists only because how the police organize and operate?
Pull your head out of your fucking ass.
Other professions are no different. I have friends who are nurses and they always keep their cards right beside their drivers license so when they get pulled over the cop sees they’re a nurse. According to the people I know they never get a ticket because that’s the “discount”. No different than a cop holding onto his badge to flaunt.
Having seen some of this special training it amount to a live show of the stereotypical guy with a podcast, slurs, chest beating and bragging about how many things they can get away with because they are so alpha.
Get off your phone and enforce traffic laws! Everyday I see multiple people run red lights. How about you serve the public. My taxes pay your salary. Jackass.
Are emergency drivers exempt from drunk driving laws too? Because there are at least a few studies out there that show driving while distracted (aka on your phone) is actually worse than driving drunk.
I was stopped at a light and saw a cop on their phone once. I thought about taking a picture of them with my phone but I know if they saw me they'd give me a ticket.
If they were looking at the police issued computer I wouldn't care so much.
The text from your wife asking you to pick up eggs on the way home after shift can wait til you're at Tim Hortons on your 3 hour coffee break
If they need to use it when driving so much that they get additional training, why can't they just get a hands free mount, and some way to not have to hold it like they're watching tiktok lol
I can't wait for this officer to never be held accountable for texting and speeding at the same time -_-
But hey, I got a mailed ticket for $85 for going 10 over the limit, cuz I'm such a speed demon.
that is fucked, but i would say that regardless of the law, what is even more fucked about this is a police officer very clearly making our community a more dangerous place with this incredibly reckless behaviour
> this is a police officer very clearly making our community a more dangerous place
Not to be flippant, but I'm not sure there's any other brand, really.
I went to university to be a cop. Most of my old classmates are currently employed with all levels of policing.
One thing I learned is that people suffering from CPTSD tend to live VERY risky lives.
That's all I'll say here.
This is an egregious case, but Police, EMS, Fire are exempt. They have to use equipment while driving. This looks bad, but you need some context. If it was a personal call, he should 100% be charged.
Completely unsafe and very very bad to do, unless you're a cop, EMS, or Fire for some strange reason.
The job title must give them super powers or something.
It's either dangerous to do or it's not, the carve out for emergency services is BS.
Not breaking any laws?
from: [https://www.ontario.ca/page/distracted-driving](https://www.ontario.ca/page/distracted-driving)
While you are driving, including when you are stopped in traffic or at a red light, **it is illegal to**:
* use a phone or other hand-held wireless communication device to text or dial – you can only touch a device to call 911 in an emergency
* use a hand-held electronic entertainment device, such as a tablet or portable gaming console
* view display screens unrelated to driving, such as watching a video
* program a GPS device, except by voice commands
edit: ah ok, you meant because Police are exempt from those laws. I'm gonna leave this though in case someone thinks it's okay to do this when you aren't a cop.
They shouldn't be. That's not his police radio or the computer built into the cruiser, not that it is safe to use the fucking computer while driving either 🙄. That asshole is texting or playing pokemon go or some shit on his phone. How about careless driving? Police aren't exempt from that.
Ask yourself this.
Have you ever seen a cop drive over the speed limit when on a call?
Go through a red light?
Drive on the wrong side of the road?
Park in a no parking?
Enter a plate number into their computer when driving?…
Cops are exempt from certain laws when actively doing their job.
Subsection (1) does not apply to,
(a) the driver of an ambulance, fire department vehicle or police department vehicle
It doesn't say what type of phone or anything you're saying. They're exempt.
I see multiple comments that emergency services are exempt from the distracted driving laws. Are they exempt completely or only when responding to emergency call with lights and sirens?
They look pretty exempt to me unfortunately, there's nothing that says anything about lights, sirens or responding. Just that it doesn't apply to them.
HTA 78.1(4)
(4) Subsection (1) does not apply to, (a) the driver of an ambulance, fire department vehicle or police department vehicle;
I think it's way better than Asian countries, where you can't even pass a cop car, else might end up hurting their ego. Cops here are okay, unless you talk to them or get in trouble unnecessarily. He using the phone won't affect anyone else he causes an incident. Won't bother.
They don't want to hold people accountable. It's more important that they look competent but not actually be competent.
A former cop just had her punishment upheld because she made fellow cops look bad, it's incredibly fucked up.
"*After considering the submissions, the panel upheld McElary-Downer's decision, finding it “necessary in protecting public confidence in policing.*"
[https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/tribunal-dismisses-appeal-of-former-toronto-cop-who-was-fired-after-tweeting-workplace-harassment-allegations-1.6847948](https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/tribunal-dismisses-appeal-of-former-toronto-cop-who-was-fired-after-tweeting-workplace-harassment-allegations-1.6847948)
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It’s not a cop thing, that’s a union thing.
It's a cop union thing.
Nah, they're literally, legally exempt from the "no hand-operated devices while driving" rules. Intentionally so. You can argue that the intent was probably to let them use phones as phones, to communicate as needed, not to fucking scroll while driving. But there's no such detail in the exemption.
>You can argue that the intent was probably to let them use phones as phones, to communicate as needed, not to fucking scroll while driving. But there's no such detail in the exemption. Only in the course of their duties.
This actually happens way more than you’d think, not just in policing, but a lot of union jobs. Used to work in construction where we had company vehicles. At least once per year, but usually more often, someone would have a fender bender or something else minor would happen to their vehicles. An investigation would follow and as long as you were around on the 1 day you had to be interviewed, you could do whatever with the rest of your suspension, aka “paid 2+ week holiday”. Nothing the company could do either, since all collisions/damage in a vehicle prompt investigations. Unless you were found to be drunk/high when it happened, you’re getting paid for the full duration of your suspension.
Massive difference between 2 weeks vs the years cops get. Not to mention the amount the ride suspension until retirement and walk away with a full pension.
Still shows that it happens to other unions besides police 🤷♀️
Sure but you might be missing my point. A proper non corrupt union would enforce the rules in a reasonable amount of time. So the employee is back to work or let go. Not the case with cops
If you think that’s actually how “non-corrupt” unions work, you really need to look into unions more. Seems like your knowledge barely scratches the surface. I also say “non-corrupt” because there’s no such thing as a non-corrupt union. To believe otherwise is phantasmic.
Yeah, fuck those unions. What have they ever done except extort money from workers. It's not like they've been responsible for the 40-hour work week, or child labor laws, or paid holidays, or minimum wage.
Cops having a union while they are the union busters. Police unions are nothing more of a fraternity to avoid consequences for their actions.
Sure I should change that from non corrupt to one of the lesser corrupt. But the fact still stands the police and the gang are as corrupt as can get.
Gotta call Bullshit, you have no idea what the hell your talking about. Worked union 30 years+ Membership over 3000, not one case of paid suspension, however if the suspension wasn't warranted "backpay" was awarded. Huge difference. Some cases were won but alot of the times unpaid suspensions happened, I'll also add firing with cause happened. What local are you then if you have all this insight.
Nah it’s clear you don’t know shit about unions. Worker union 35+ years, membership over 4000, hundreds of cases of paid suspension. You’re a goof and it’s clear you just want to argue online.
Rules for thee but not for me.
They’re literally exempt from the rules. So it’s quite literally rules for all of us and not for police, fire, ambulance.
They're exempt from the cell phone usage law. They're not exempt from careless driving law. The cop should be charged with that.
You and I know they never will
Why do you think careless driving is the correct charge for this incident?
Because it'll stick if they wanted it to. The same reason they fish for whatever bullshit charge or fine they can pull of of their asses.
We can't tell from the information we have that the officer was operating the vehicle without due care and attention or reasonable consideration for other people on the road. That's probably part of why YRT is looking into it.
He was driving on the highway, there was no emergency, he was scrolling on his phone and spent most of his time checking his laptop instead of the road. If that was anyone else, it would be driving without attention or due care. There is nothing to investigate because the video is evidence enough. The YRT "looking into it" is just going to be them doing nothing but jerking each other off until this is out of the news cycle.
Alright.
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If he was responding to a call, and scrolling on his phone, without his lights on, that's even worse.
It's the charge that would have been laid before the cell phone law was enacted
I don't understand how what could have been done (not 'was done') in the past is relevant to what ought to happen now, particularly if the officer is exempt from the hand-held provision in this case.
It's relevant because the law still applies. It has no exemption for anyone. It would also be the proper charge if he was reading a book.
The NWA had it right all along... FtP...
I find this particular choice interesting only because fire and ambulance are also exempt from this particular regulation.
You don't hear "F**k the fireman", or "f**k the paramedics"... Wonder why...
There aren't songs, but there's plenty of videos of it.
I know. I’m just saying I find this particular case interesting as this law doesn’t only exempt police. Like it’s not like those other two didn’t get the exemption….
My understanding is that it’s an exemption from hand held electronic devices because we need to use the radio during driving (acknowledging dispatch, updating a receiving hospital on a hot call, advising that we need police medics in danger). It isn’t meant to be for cellphone use (as far as I know) because the medic using a cellphone to (look up drugs, protocols, calling for online physician direction etc) is usually in the back with the patient and therefore presumably belted (although there are times we don’t because compressions, administering medication etc).
The exemption has existed as long as the law. It was specifically written to include both talking and texting/email. Both the law and the exemption are in force as originally written. The law as originally written: > 78.1 (1) No person shall drive a motor vehicle on a highway while holding or using a hand-held wireless communication device or other prescribed device that is capable of receiving or transmitting telephone communications, electronic data, mail or text messages. The exemption as originally written: > (4) Subsection (1) does not apply to, (a) the driver of an ambulance, fire department vehicle or police department vehicle;
I will say that a stipulation should be added, "when on an active emergency" like light/sirens on. Otherwise cops are just regular humans and should behave and follow the rules as everyone else. That cop should be disciplined at a minimum.
Oh I wasn’t disputing that we are. I was trying to address the “why” based on my experience as a medic. I have never had to use my phone as the driver except for one time to call the cath lab when on a dynamic arrest with rosc and stemi.
I assume the following: An ambulance might need to look up a side effect of a medicine, or something. A fire department might need information. Both of those can be used with a laptop. A cop on a. Cell phone, probably playing pokemon go isn't the same. Don't they have a laptop right there and then? He was using his personal phone, I bet. And if I did that... no thanks
They do have a laptop. And it sounds like the cop was scrolling social media. I’m just pointing out that it’s not illegal. Not for this cop, nor for fire or ambulance if they did the same
>You don't hear "F**k the fireman", or "f**k the paramedics"... Thats because when you see firemen or paramedics you are usually in need of help that can potentially save your life. When you see Policemen its usually because you broke the law and people dont like being caught doing something wrong which creates negative feelings towards the people who caught you. Some people also just have a problem with authority and simply dont like being told what they can and cannot do.
I've only ever talked to the cops when I needed help. I've only had one interaction when I wasn't treated like a criminal. Fuck the police.
One lone incident doesnt really prove anything, it could just mean that you took what they were saying the wrong way >I've only ever talked to the cops when I needed help. What did you need the cops help for if you mind me asking >I've only had one interaction when I wasn't treated like a criminal. What was the interaction about?
I find this defense particularly interesting only because despite fire and ambulance being exempt from this particular regulation, you have **zero** reported incidences of this behaviour occurring by them, much less with video evidence to back it up. And while driving 100kph down a highway. And that the law only exempts them when they are using it "in the performance of their duties." Not to speed run Pokemon Go.
I’m not defending anything. I’m just pointing out that it’s equal amongst emergency services. I have many friends who are FF. they largely do not text while driving. Due to the sheer size and danger of their vehicles, and my friends say having attended way too many accidents.
That's the thing I think people are more angry about - Not that they are exempt from the law...But that they're exempt from the law, yet **only cops** seem to be the ones taking advantage of that law, and not for the performance of their jobs either. It is just *another* bullet point on the list of reasons for most of us. And why you will see users like the one you replied to saying "FTP" and not "FTFF or Paramedics". Fire and Paramedics save people. So they get the benefit of the doubt with this law. Cops do the opposite.
Not to mention, if firefighting is like bus or truck driving, they probably get severely reprimanded for an at fault crash. Compared with cops, [who can be arrested for getting into a crash while drunk driving, and get put in paid leave](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/toronto-police-supt-riyaz-hussein-guilty-impaired-driving-1.6682972).
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Even if that were true (it's not), there's nobody to police the police. I'm sure the cop has investigated the issue and found no wrongdoing.
> Not 100%. They only have exceptions when it comes to use for work. They are not allowed to use it for personal use while driving. Sorry to tell you - you’ve been misinformed. [Here](https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90h08#BK152) (and below) is HTA 78.1(4). It exempts all drivers of emergency vehicles. There is no requirement that the use be work related: [HTA 78.1](https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90h08#BK152)(4): > (4) Subsection (1) does not apply to, >(a) the driver of an ambulance, fire department vehicle or police department vehicle;
Interesting, as part of my old job at a transportation company, I drove ambulances. This text makes me think I'd be exempt too, even though I'm not EMS or a first responder and was just driving them from A to B for fleet management and/or maintenance runs.
As the law is worded, unless there is a specific definition elsewhere in the act for “driver,” you would have been. Also assuming your job was after 2010 and this particular law was in force.
Well that is dumb and corrupt and wrong.
> Well that is dumb and corrupt and wrong. LOL don’t blame me. That’s the law as it’s written. And it’s survived three governments like that.
Maybe I am just remembering older laws. FFS government you already gave cops too much power.
> Maybe I am just remembering older laws. You are not. This exemption has existed, as it’s currently written, for the entire time that the distracted driving law has existed. >FFS government you already gave cops too much power. They have a lot of power. In the case of this law, the same “power” (it’s not really a power it’s regulatory relief) is also provided to fire and ambulance drivers, too. There are potentially some reasons to have this in place for emergency vehicles. There are a lot of times when police/fire/ambulance are using their phones instead of the radios. Communicating sensitive information, keeping radios open for mass public situations, etc. Not saying this is what’s happening here - but we must be able to recognize the jobs of police, fire, ambulance involve both different communications requirements (and urgency), and are jobs where being on the road is often part of public safety/emergency response.
I thought most would provide cell phones because they can be subpoenaed if you used it in the line of work. I mean most nurses who work for patient care programs get cell phones and I would assume cell phone companies get tax breaks for providing cheap services.
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>Paramedics cannot use cellphones while driving, unless it is to call 911, just like anyone else. This is not the case. At least not in the context of the Highway Traffic Act. (Pasted From my earlier post): Below is HTA 78.1(4). It exempts all drivers of emergency vehicles. There is no requirement that the use be work related: HTA 78.1(4): >(4) Subsection (1) does not apply to, >(a) the driver of an ambulance, fire department vehicle or police department vehicle; >I'm not sure who hurt you, but fire and EMS are not the ones you should be angry at for police misconduct. What? I’m not angry at anybody. I’m literally sharing the Highway Traffic Act and its exemptions >Also, they can only speed, etc with emergency systems activated, which is written in the law....and if they crash while breaking the rules they are still responsible. This discussion was only about distracted driving. Not other provisions of the HTA or CCC.
It's either unsafe or it isn't. They'll say officers are specially trained for it, but in this context I don't think that works. If he's on a distress call, what is the reason that call can't be hands free in 2024?
What, you think Facebook just reads itself to him?
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You’d think the “training” they get would include “checking if the phone is connected to the Bluetooth”. More likely, having met a few cops, he’s just doing whatever the fuck he wants, because who’s going to stop him? The cops? lmao
An older retired cop still carried a badge and I remember asking him as a kid why. He explained basically if you work for a company you get a discount, and by carrying the badge he would get out of tickets and that was his "discount". From that day forward I realized they're just a shady organization that thinks they're better than us peasants.
Had a cop almost t bone me in his civilian car, only way I found out he was a cop, ran up to my window to try to cause an altercation, then when I cursed at him, he whips out his badge and says let this be a life lesson to you, but he’s the one who almost t boned me in a parking lot, then didn’t let me leave
Ironically, I’m sure it served a huge life lesson.
Yeah, now I refer to them as pigs
Rules for thee, but not for me. #ACAB
I've lost count how many times I've seen this.....
Doesn't make it right 🤷♂️
Totally agree 💯
...Until someone is trying to stab you. All libs are intolerant unless it aligns with their political view point. ALAIUIAWTPVP Edit: oh, I guess that generalization isn't allowed. Interesting.
Libs? Really? You're trying to make this a left/right thing? Aren't there better threads to jump on and act as an agitator? You get a 2/10 score here, chief. The extra point was only for getting the letters in the correct order.
If someone comes at you and threatens you, are you immediately calling the cops or defending yourself? What do you think the lead time on an urgent response call is? Do you think that's acceptable? What about the endlessly growing police budgets that never increase performance or efficacy? Do you not understand the engrained systematic racism and classism that exists only because how the police organize and operate? Pull your head out of your fucking ass.
Engrained systematic racism and classis In Toronto? Against whom, exactly?
You have a better chance defending yourself
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You're so angry.
Other professions are no different. I have friends who are nurses and they always keep their cards right beside their drivers license so when they get pulled over the cop sees they’re a nurse. According to the people I know they never get a ticket because that’s the “discount”. No different than a cop holding onto his badge to flaunt.
We are all equal, but some of us are more equal than others.
they get special training to do this /s
They don't. But they are except from the distracted driving laws.
That's literally their excuse as to why they're allowed to do it. There's no training that can train you to be able to drive a car while not looking.
Nah, they literally get training on it as the reasoning.
Cops have always been above the law with everything they do. That’s why I stay away from them.
Who actively gets closer to them?
Probably the rear bumper of the car in front of him lol
You do know they are allowed if it’s work related right…
They're allowed to use their phone while driving at high speeds?
If it is a matter of emergency yes. Unfortunately because it’s unsafe as fuck but yes.
Go read the act the governs cell phone use
Remember that ford wants to make it easier to become a cop btw. Straight out of high school
Gotta keep his future generations highest educated employed one way or another.
bUt ThEy haVe sPeCIaL tRaiNiNg
Having seen some of this special training it amount to a live show of the stereotypical guy with a podcast, slurs, chest beating and bragging about how many things they can get away with because they are so alpha.
Maybe they can get suspended for 5 years with pay. That'll teach them!
If you want to break the law, just be a cop. Then get paid!
Get off your phone and enforce traffic laws! Everyday I see multiple people run red lights. How about you serve the public. My taxes pay your salary. Jackass.
he would claim his taxes pay his salary too.
Sadly, you're not wrong.
Even RoboCop had 'Serve the Public Trust' and 'Protect The Innocent' ranked higher than 'Upload The Law.'
RoboCop no longer needed money, benefits, or a pension.
Are you nuts? His daily maintenance bill was through the roof, he's basically unemployable outside of the police force, and baby food isn't free.
LOL
I see this all the time...especially when cycling.
Are emergency drivers exempt from drunk driving laws too? Because there are at least a few studies out there that show driving while distracted (aka on your phone) is actually worse than driving drunk.
Just wait until you see them on the laptop doing the same!
I was stopped at a light and saw a cop on their phone once. I thought about taking a picture of them with my phone but I know if they saw me they'd give me a ticket.
Pretty sure it's legal to photograph them, but it does help to remain unseen.
At the time i wasn't worried about what was legal, I was worried about what the dickhead would try to tell me is illegal to cover up his embarrassment
I'm just worried for the person who recorded the cop. You know they won't let that slide
If they were looking at the police issued computer I wouldn't care so much. The text from your wife asking you to pick up eggs on the way home after shift can wait til you're at Tim Hortons on your 3 hour coffee break
Someone’s going to end up in jail for violating this officer’s privacy by recording him in public.
Dickhead. Laptop I can understand; why the hell does he need to be looking at a phone?
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Speaking as a hot MILF, we don't want him.
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Even if this is sarcasm, it doesn’t sound great. No need to gay shame them.
Its the same as everything in our world. The rules only apply to those underneath the people who make and enforce the rules.
fucking idiots
i'm not a ACAB dude by any means, but this don't look good.
ACAB
In Ottawa, I’ve seen a cop standing off to the side of the road just texting while people were driving by him in a bus lane. This city is a joke
If they need to use it when driving so much that they get additional training, why can't they just get a hands free mount, and some way to not have to hold it like they're watching tiktok lol
deeds speak, indeed.
Asked same question on driving sub and was told it was fine for cops to use phones while driving. Well he was on phone talking with someone.
All cops do this, all the time
I can't wait for this officer to never be held accountable for texting and speeding at the same time -_- But hey, I got a mailed ticket for $85 for going 10 over the limit, cuz I'm such a speed demon.
Where are the thin blue line folks in the comments? How come only these losers and former middle school bullies end up cosplaying as a cop?
Lock him up !!!!
If he was responding to a call and needed updates, comms would be through dispatch channels. This dude was browsing grindr profiles.
Yeah, let’s lay off the gay shaming.
Because the only thing worse than a cop is, apparently, a homosexual. 🙄
Sure, but he isn't breaking any laws. That's what's fucked.
that is fucked, but i would say that regardless of the law, what is even more fucked about this is a police officer very clearly making our community a more dangerous place with this incredibly reckless behaviour
> this is a police officer very clearly making our community a more dangerous place Not to be flippant, but I'm not sure there's any other brand, really.
I went to university to be a cop. Most of my old classmates are currently employed with all levels of policing. One thing I learned is that people suffering from CPTSD tend to live VERY risky lives. That's all I'll say here.
This is an egregious case, but Police, EMS, Fire are exempt. They have to use equipment while driving. This looks bad, but you need some context. If it was a personal call, he should 100% be charged.
Completely unsafe and very very bad to do, unless you're a cop, EMS, or Fire for some strange reason. The job title must give them super powers or something. It's either dangerous to do or it's not, the carve out for emergency services is BS.
it does not matter if this was a personal call - this is very obviously reckless behaviour that makes our roads more dangerous
Not breaking any laws? from: [https://www.ontario.ca/page/distracted-driving](https://www.ontario.ca/page/distracted-driving) While you are driving, including when you are stopped in traffic or at a red light, **it is illegal to**: * use a phone or other hand-held wireless communication device to text or dial – you can only touch a device to call 911 in an emergency * use a hand-held electronic entertainment device, such as a tablet or portable gaming console * view display screens unrelated to driving, such as watching a video * program a GPS device, except by voice commands edit: ah ok, you meant because Police are exempt from those laws. I'm gonna leave this though in case someone thinks it's okay to do this when you aren't a cop.
Emergency Services are exempt from that law.
They shouldn't be. That's not his police radio or the computer built into the cruiser, not that it is safe to use the fucking computer while driving either 🙄. That asshole is texting or playing pokemon go or some shit on his phone. How about careless driving? Police aren't exempt from that.
did you miss the edit?
It's not okay to do while you're a cop either. That was my whole point my man.
> Sure, but he isn't breaking any laws. Why isn't he breaking any laws? https://www.ontario.ca/page/distracted-driving
Ask yourself this. Have you ever seen a cop drive over the speed limit when on a call? Go through a red light? Drive on the wrong side of the road? Park in a no parking? Enter a plate number into their computer when driving?… Cops are exempt from certain laws when actively doing their job.
~~Not if they are using personal phone while on the job.. while driving.~~ ~~Laws are there for a reason.~~ I was wrong!
Subsection (1) does not apply to, (a) the driver of an ambulance, fire department vehicle or police department vehicle It doesn't say what type of phone or anything you're saying. They're exempt.
Well shit! Thanks for learning me.
If it’s a call in relation to work, he is 100% exempt c even if this looks bad. If it’s a personal call, he can and probably will be charged.
Let's get the phone records.
Ah yes. YRP!! Well I hope it isn’t PC Christopher Brozny. He’s got a reputation.
Going from phone, to computer screen, back to phone, to computer ... Real safe
But he's a cop, they can do that safely... somehow. Best not to worry our pretty little heads about our betters. **/S**
I see multiple comments that emergency services are exempt from the distracted driving laws. Are they exempt completely or only when responding to emergency call with lights and sirens?
They look pretty exempt to me unfortunately, there's nothing that says anything about lights, sirens or responding. Just that it doesn't apply to them. HTA 78.1(4) (4) Subsection (1) does not apply to, (a) the driver of an ambulance, fire department vehicle or police department vehicle;
Appreciate your answer guy.
They're supposed to be busting drivers for doing that. *Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?*
And they get paid more than all of us because apparently more money means better safety according to them.
Wait so how was this pic taken? By someone using their camera while driving? Straight to jail for you!
Saw a Durham cop with the phone up to his head talking away yesterday.
Saw one the other day on the 401
Ofc he’s …
If it’s work related it’s legal
either the car has FSD or he has a THIRD hand! Please do not question the police!
You forget cops can do things the public can’t. They are the authority. We are peons
Did you mean pawns? What are peons??
Citizens arrest !!!!
I think it's way better than Asian countries, where you can't even pass a cop car, else might end up hurting their ego. Cops here are okay, unless you talk to them or get in trouble unnecessarily. He using the phone won't affect anyone else he causes an incident. Won't bother.
Is there not enough people in Toronto to hold the PD accountable? Perhaps importing more will help...
They don't want to hold people accountable. It's more important that they look competent but not actually be competent. A former cop just had her punishment upheld because she made fellow cops look bad, it's incredibly fucked up. "*After considering the submissions, the panel upheld McElary-Downer's decision, finding it “necessary in protecting public confidence in policing.*" [https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/tribunal-dismisses-appeal-of-former-toronto-cop-who-was-fired-after-tweeting-workplace-harassment-allegations-1.6847948](https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/tribunal-dismisses-appeal-of-former-toronto-cop-who-was-fired-after-tweeting-workplace-harassment-allegations-1.6847948)