Today I met the police while driving my child on an electric scooter.
The police looked out through the window and shouted at me with a blindfold.
Actually, I don't speak German.
So I don't know what the police were yelling at.
However, I was very offended and angry.

If I'm breaking a law, he should have kindly told me the problem.
Of course I am ready to follow the law.
But he shouted with a blindfold in front of my child.
He was like a teacher scolding a child.

Are all the people of Switzerland memorizing all the laws?
Most light offenders may be caused by not knowing the law.

I have met the police 3 times in Switzerland so far, and all 3 are disappointed by their very unpleasant attitude.
It was like experiencing racism.
I think they need to be kinder to their citizens.
I am a friendly Korean policeman.

Were you on the scooter with your child? 2 people on 1 scooter? If so then yes, that's not legal and can be considered dangerous.

Why is it that people who don´t speak the lingo are so easy with playing the race card when they get berated?

Because they can?

It could be the language - everything in German might sound like barking and giving orders to some, who knows.

@OP,

Never had any issues with Swiss police or any other police (well, other than getting a couple of speeding fines but it was obviously my fault). I can't for the life of me figure out if what I usually read here on EF or somewhere else is common practice or some grumpy policeman had a bad day. Or people play a card....whatever that might be.

I hope you'll get over it.

It’s not really unreasonable for the policeman to shout out in German if you were in a German speaking area, how would they know that you didn’t speak the language?

Without knowing all the details it’s hard to say whether they were being unpleasant or not.

1. The police don’t know if you can speak German or not but since you live here, you should learn some German.
2. You don’t seem to know the laws either.
3. You were very lucky not to get a fine.
4. Don’t play the racism card if you’re breaking the law. It’s simply a lie on your part.

Welcome to Switzerland. I’m not saying there isn’t racism here but your situation definitely wasn’t racist.

What does shouting with a blindfold mean? I'm not familiar with that expression

Hard to really comment on this dear sungtae when it's not clear what the policeman said nor what you were doing. I would just try to forget it and move on!

It’s pretty obvious that the OP meant a face mask.

Well it wasn't obvious to me, or else I wouldn't have asked! Well at least it's cleared up now.

this is poetry in
motion
where the lights
shine
and can be coloured
blue

Very good!

It's never stopped anyone before.

Perhaps the policeman was warning the OP that there was some kind of hazard on the road up ahead so watch out?

Every single interaction I've had with BL police has been fine. BS, not quite so much, but nowhere near as bad as those I've had with UK police.

No, it is not racism. They are just not pleasant. I have been also shout at countless times in German while driving my bike in Zug and Zurich, and I look local so don't take it personally or 'ratially', they just want to pass the message quickly and WITHOUT moving an inch from when they are (inside their car, on the curb with their colleagues, or having a coffee.

Or maybe they are deaf and cannot hear themselves

In any case, remember "ignorantia legis neminem excusat " (the ignorance of a law does not excuse you from any liability). If you are going to drive anything (particularly the currently omnipresent electric small scooters, which personally i consider a real danger for themselves and everybody around-pedestrians, cars and bikes), please read the regulations before you get a fine, or even worst, into an accident.

https://www.englishforum.ch/transpor...c-scooter.html

What do you mean by electric scooter? Like an electric motorcycle? Doesn't sound legal unless you have a secured sidecar with the child strapped in and wearing a helmet.

How else are they supposed to tell you not to do something illegal and dangerous?

Snow is falling
The roads are treacherous
Excuse me miss
Please do not endanger
Your child
Thank-you kindly

I have worked with many cops in medical rescue situations in Switzerland. They have all been fast, well-trained, competent and treated everyone with absolute politeness, respect and empathy. I’m not saying that there can’t be exceptions or one of them can’t be having a bad day. I am a huge supporter of the police in this country, I think they have a difficult, badly-paid, unappreciated job and the vast majority still do it the best that they can, each and every day. I have often had to debrief a young cop exposed for the first time to a traumatic situation. They are only people. Can’t we rather criticize the overpaid, arrogant and useless politicians? Or the big banks? Or the media? You have no idea the trash the cops have to deal with on the job every single day.
Oh and please don’t ride on a Scooter with a kid in winter...it IS extremely dangerous - if you are in an accident, slide on ice, can’t stop, you are lucky if one of you only loses a hand or foot.

Children don't have to be strapped in in a sidecar.

Helmets are optional as well.

Tom

Basically I agree with you. But if the Swiss policemen are underpaid and un(der)appreciated.....lol. What others from poorer countries could say.
Yes, it's a thankless job and these people have to deal with trash and scum on a daily basis. Perhaps you just get tired of being nice.

If the police officer was driving his car with a 'blindfold' I think the OP might have a case as it is very dangerous to drive like that.

I know it is probably online translation gone awry but I couldn't resist

The law has been published for all in at least three languages. How much more can you ask for?
https://www.admin.ch/opc/de/classifi.../national.html

Ignorance of the law is no excuse. For simple offences there are simple fines. (or if lucky a more or less nice verbal warning).
https://www.admin.ch/opc/de/classifi...527/index.html


As said, the law is published and any one can read it. Children on motorcycles are permitted if the motorcycle has two places and child can reach the foot rests. Art. 63 Abs. 1 VRV rules for children as passengers on bicycles can also be found there.

and also:
https://www.bfu.ch/de/services/recht...efuehrt-werden

__________________
"Okay, I just hope we don't wake up on Mars or something surrounded by millions of little squashy guys."

@EFers: I guess this what electric scooter means. Not sure more than 1 person are allowed to ride one outside a circus arena.




Please tell us it was not on the sidewalk. Motorized scooters are not OK on the sidewalk.

Well, that's more or less how things work, get used to it. A good fraction of EF posts are about "I didn't know such law existed".