Photo radar vehicles are a familiar sight on Edmonton streets – catching speeding drivers on camera – but one operator was caught on camera himself, and has found himself in hot water.

Earlier this week, photos were posted online showing a photo radar truck parked on a grassy median on Jasper Avenue near 87 Street, and another showing the operator inside the vehicle sleeping.

The post and photos were shared hundreds of times.

“Two wonderful photos that show you why people get angry at photo radar,” Councillor Mike Nickel said.

“I’ve always maintained that photo radar does not slow people down, and these photos just reinforce the stereotype of a tool that the City uses, that I think is inefficient.”

Officials said the individual in the photo is not an employee of the City, he was hired by the company contracted to run photo radar – the operator has been suspended pending an investigation into the incident.

“That operator will be brought back from the field, which happened in this particular case, and an investigation was immediately conducted, or started,” Gerry Shimko with the Office of Traffic Safety said.

Shimko said operators have a specific process to follow.

“We could actually see whether or not the operator is operating within the parameters we expect,” Shimko said.

Shimko said he was concerned that if the operator was asleep, it put his safety at risk – but he said he understands people can make mistakes.

“It doesn’t excuse behaviour, but at the end of the day we’ll weigh that and apply, I think, the appropriate consideration and see where that goes,” Shimko said.

As for the drivers who may have been caught speeding by that particular vehicle during the operator’s shift, they won’t be ticketed. The City will not process those violations.

With files from Amanda Anderson