BBCA police patrol vehicle was photographed on double yellow lines by a resident attempting to highlight dangerous parking outside a seaside chippy.
Cleveland Police said the officer concerned had received “suitable advice” from a superior after stopping off at Seabreeze in Lobster Road, Redcar, during his meal break.
The force said all officers were reminded that they should not park police vehicles illegally “unless for a lawful policing purpose, or in exceptional circumstances”, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
Redcar and Cleveland Council said it was aware of the problem and planned more enforcement patrols.
Jo Haigh, who lives in Queen Street, said she feared “someone could be killed or injured” because of cars parking outside the takeaway.
She said there had been several near misses, one recently involving her daughter as she drove out of her street.
She said: “For children or elderly crossing that road it is extremely dangerous, but so is driving out of our street safely.”
Redcar and Cleveland Labour councillor Carl Quartermain said the problem was at its worst during the summer.
“Bollards have been placed close to the junction and we do have enforcement down there, but we also have to direct our resources to where they are needed,” he said.
In a statement, Cleveland Police said: “The officer involved admitted to parking on double yellow lines for a short period of time during a brief meal break.
“He was given feedback from his supervising officer, which he completely accepted.”
Chippy owner Nicola Atkinson said: “Thankfully in all the years we have been here there has never been a serious accident to my knowledge, but that is not to say there won’t be because the risk is there.”