Former police officer wins speed camera fine dispute against Police and Border Guard Board in Harju Circuit Court

A former police officer received a €600 fine from the Police and Border Guard Board for allegedly deliberately obstructing a speed camera, but Harju Circuit Court annulled the decision. The court found that the police made several procedural errors and failed to prove that the speed camera obstruction occurred.

Harju Circuit Court ruled in favour of a former police officer in a dispute with the Police and Border Guard Board (PBGB), which had issued a €600 fine for allegedly deliberately obstructing a speed camera.

The PBGB accused the man of deliberately interfering with the operation of the speed measurement device. The agency imposed a €600 fine on him for this. The man disagreed with the decision and filed an appeal with the court.

Harju Circuit Court found that the PBGB made numerous procedural errors in imposing the fine. Furthermore, the agency failed to prove that the speed camera obstruction took place at all, meaning that the factual basis of the accusation remained unproven in court.

The court ruling is noteworthy given the man's previous work experience with the same agency, which gives the case particular significance. As a former police officer, the man likely had a thorough understanding of procedural requirements, the failure to observe which ultimately proved costly for the PBGB.