Assistant Police Commissioner Jeff Loy warns NSW drivers any car on the road could have a cop in it

ONE of the state’s most senior police has admitted he often pulls over motorists doing the wrong thing, despite being off duty and an Assistant Police Commissioner.

Assistant Commissioner Jeff Loy pulled over a driver after allegedly being tailgated. Picture: Jeremy Piper

• Tailgater pulled over by Assistant Police Commissioner Jeff Loy
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ONE of the state’s most senior police has admitted he often pulls over motorists doing the wrong thing, despite being off duty and an Assistant Police Commissioner.

The Regional commander for the Northern region Jeff Loy said he was returning to Newcastle from Sydney last Friday night when he notice a car speed up behind.

“I thought I should keep an eye on this driver because of the manner of his driving and a bit later decided to pull him over.’’ Assistant Commissioner Loy said yesterday.

“While I was talking to him I could smell the alcohol on his breath. I got the highway patrol to send someone and he was breath-tested.’’

“Any vehicle on the road could have a cop in it,’’ warns top cop Jeff Loy.

The driver returned a blood alcohol of 0.110 and had his licence suspended.

“It’s nothing out of the ordinary. I drive about 40,000kms a year between here and the Tweed and if I see someone doing something wrong I will pull them over.

“The road toll is a major concern to everyone and taking a drunk driver off the road or warn a speeding motorist is our job. Also it should remind people that any vehicle on the road could have a cop in it.’’

Its not the first time Assistant Commissioner Loy has thrown rank out the window and interceded when he thinks the law is being broken.

Last year Mr Loy, a contender for police commissioner’s job, was with a staff officer driving into Kempsey when he saw a man violently assaulting a young woman in a park. He had thrown her to the ground and was kicking her.

Mr Loy jumped out of the vehicle and wrestled the offender to the ground and held him until local police arrived. The next day the man pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 7 months jail.