Amy Wiggins: Police must stick to limit

We all make mistakes, we're all human - even police officers.

It has been reported this week that in the nine months to September 30 last year police officers were fined more than $160,000 for almost 800 speeding offences.

Because we're all human, we can never expect that number to be zero but, to me, 776 is too many.

If the fine is received while they are on their way to a callout which justifies speed, they are waived - and that is fair enough.

Police could not clarify whether the 541 tickets that were waived in 2016 were included in the total fine amount.

Police officers should be held to a higher standard than the public when it comes to keeping the laws they enforce - and that applies to more than just speeding.

They should realise that when they sign up for the force and be reminded of that during their training.

You shouldn't be fining or charging people for breaking the law if you do the same thing yourself.

A police spokeswoman said police travel between 85 and 90 million kilometres every year, with more than 3000 vehicles on the road.

Policing is unique in that it requires officers to travel at higher speeds in some circumstances to respond to urgent situations.

I realise police spend a lot of their time on duty behind the wheel and I know how easy it is to creep up over the speed limit but that doesn't excuse it all.

As police officers, they need to be even more vigilant of their speed - especially if they are enforcing the lower speed tolerance put in place around public holidays.

Our police should be leading by example - and many of the officers I know do just that, but it seems not all of them do.

Speeding aside, I have the utmost respect for our police and the tough job they do - and I know most of them have the best intentions.

To the men and women in blue, keep up the good work - just watch your speed.