Do Traffic Police Have to Be In Uniform?

[Papaleekie]

I remember a case some years ago where a traffic offence case was dismissed after a defence barrister claimed that the police officer who cautioned his client was not wearing a police cap, which at that time was a required piece of attire. We see from the various TV programmes that this does not seem to be the case nowdays, but does a traffic officer have to be in uniform to act on traffic offences? Eg, can a plain-clothes CID Officer stop a driver for using a mobile phone?

[woofgang]

yup, also an ordinary copper in civvies provided he can prove he's a copper

[petestubbs]

Yes he/she can - on production of ID (warrant card)