A police officer has lost his clean criminal record because he was recorded driving on the Brussels Ring Road at 156 kilometres per hour. His solicitor told the police court that the police officer was in hot pursuit of somebody on the wanted list, but according to the judge, there was no evidence of this. The officer was sentenced to a fine of 400 euros and a 14-day driving ban.
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Cop convicted of driving 156 k.p.h. on the Brussels Ring Road, judge rejects explanation about hot chase
Colin Clapson
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The police officer was speeding where the speed limit is 100 kilometres per hour.
According to the defence, there was a good reason for driving so fast. ‘My client is a member of the special police units. He was on his way to work when he recognised someone who was on the wanted list. He pursued that person,’ his lawyer explained. ‘That's why he was driving at high speed, but he quickly lost sight of him.’
Information sheet about intervention missing
The judge had doubts about this explanation. ‘Is there a report on this? If the officer cannot prove this, he should not invoke it as a reason for speeding.’
‘The special units must follow procedures and keep official records of interventions. You cannot simply refer to his police work here when there is no evidence whatsoever. As far as I am concerned, the offence has been proven.’
The defendant's solicitor was unable to provide any evidence of a police chase.
Fine and driving ban
The fact that the police officer had no previous convictions worked in his favour. He was fined €400, half of which was suspended, and must also pay €300 in court costs. He was also banned from driving for 14 days.