It appears I've posted this once before, but you can have it again...
My maternal grandfather was a policeman. Having joined the force at the earliest possible age - he left school at 14, I think - he worked his way up the ranks until, by the 1960s, he was superintendant, chief inspector or something. High-ranking enough to be in charge of the local force, anyway.

One perk he allowed himself was a personalised registration plate featuring the digits "999" on the family car, and it was on one of these 999 cars that my mother learned to drive. Licence acquired, she would borrow the car now and again.

The advantage of borrowing this car was demonstrated on one occasion at a speed-trap. Happily whizzing along way over the limit one day, Mum saw a traffic cop step out from behind a bush. Her heart sank as he raised his arm to indicate that she should pull over... and then was lifted again. The officer had noticed the licence plate and gracefully transformed his gesture into a salute as she passed.
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Fri 6 May 2011, 10:55, 5 replies)

So
Complicit in a criminal offence being committed.
(dchurch bah, Fri 6 May 2011, 12:04, closed)

coppers allowing over coppers to flout the law
never seen that before --sigh--
(mersault, Fri 6 May 2011, 12:26, closed)

I have no idea what the law is/was
but I suspect it was along the lines of 'police can speed if they deem it necessary for official purposes'.

Imagine how much funnier this story could be, though, if Enzyme revealed his mother maiden name was Himmler.
( Sextant goes to him is emotionally erect, on this day, Fri 6 May 2011, 16:58, closed)

are personalised plates
really that old?
(haberman is singing in the changes, Fri 6 May 2011, 13:21, closed)

I don't see why not.
But I suppose it could be that he once bought a car and happened to be able to choose a registration with "999" somewhere in it. To be honest, I don't really know. Somehow he ended up with a registration plate, at some point on which the number nine appeared three times in succession. Not as catchy when put like that.
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Fri 6 May 2011, 15:56, closed)