10 Useful Tips When Engaging Law Enforcement

It seems like within the past year, there has been a constant coverage of incidence in the media involving civilians and their local law enforcements. While some people choose to respond aggressively, I decided to take different approach and create a list of helpful tips that everyone should keep in mind, the next time they are pulled over or stopped by and officer.

I met with Detectives David Watson & Vickie Bedore of the Youth Services Section of Community Affairs Bureau as well as Criminal Defense Attorney Xavier R. Donaldson of the  Donaldson & Chilliest law firm to help me come up with my list, as well as to inform people of some rights they have that they may not know about. 

 TIP LIST
                                                                                                                                     

 1.    When approached by an officer, remain calm & respectful at all times. Do not engage in combative conversation with the officer.

2.    When pulled over, keep both hands on the wheel until the officer approaches. Do not reach for your information as it can be perceived as suspicious movement & this can give the officer the right to search your car without consent.

3.    You have the right to deny consent to a search. Unless the officer has a warrant or claims to have reasonable suspicion, your vehicle CANNOT be searched without permission. Your best defense is to always deny a search.

4.    When approached on the street, take your hands out of your pockets. This let’s the officer know that you have nothing to conceal.

5.    An officer must state the reason you are being stopped or pulled over. You have the right to inquire the reason why.

6.    If the officer in questions does not have a reason to keep you, then you have the right to calmly state that you are walking away.

7.    There is a difference between being asked & being told by an officer to do something. If you are being asked, you have the right to say “NO”. If you are being told, you must comply.

8.    You always have the right to remain silent. Even with the simplest of questions such as “Where are you coming from?”, “Have you been drinking?”, or “Whose car is this?”. While it is easier to comply, if you feel your responses will hurt your outcome calmly state you would like to remain silent until you speak with a lawyer. This can be invoked at any time.

9.    If asked to step out of your car, roll up your windows, remove your keys, and lock your doors. This is to avoid an illegal police search.

10.    An officer must display their badge number as well as what precinct they are from. If you feel that any of your rights have been violated, you have the right to ask for the officer’s information and file a police complaint with the Office of Police Complaints either in person or by mail.

Here are some more helpful tips for the next time you get stopped!

https://youtu.be/SezZZHKAhNY