The number of speeding tickets issued to police jumped 64 percent last year compared with the previous five years, new information reveals.
Figures released this week under the Official Information Act show speeding police officers were handed 941 speed camera notices in 2010, with about half paid and half waived.
Wellington cops were the biggest speedsters, forking out to pay 60 tickets, followed by Auckland's Counties Manukau and Waitemata on 58 and 50 paid tickets respectively, according to a report in the Otago Daily Times.
In the South Island, the fastest officers came from the Southern District, where 38 offences were acknowledged.
In the previous five years police recorded 2874 speed camera offences, with 1251 fines paid and 1623 waived which is considerably less than 2010 figures.
The surge echoes the almost 100 percent increase in total speeding tickets issued in 2010, a figure road policing national manager Superintendent Paula Rose said reflects a tougher stance on holiday speeding and better use of digital speed cameras.
She told the newspaper that police could be excused from ticket payment if they can prove they were "engaged on urgent duty and compliance with the speed limit would be likely to prevent the execution of the officer's duty".
However, Ms Rose says they could not drive in a dangerous or reckless manner.
"Police officers are required to provide an explanation for speed offences and are held accountable for any breaches of speed-related legislation for which there is no justification or legal defence."
NZN