Street Guidelines

If the police stop you or a friend, or if you're watching the police stop someone you don't know, do what you can to calm the situation down.

Officers often feel a need to be in control. If they get too agitated, you or someone else could end up hurt, in jail, or worse. Keep your hands visible at all times. If you have to go into your pockets, tell the officer, "I'm going to reach into my pocket now to get my ID." Don't make any sudden moves, don't move behind an officer, and walk instead of run whenever possible. Speak slowly, calmly, and loudly, so any witnesses can hear your words. Be polite but be insistent too.

Write down all the details of any incident involving the police immediately afterwards.

You may think you'll never forget what happened, but unpleasant memories and important details sometimes fade fast. ALWAYS get the officer's names and badge numbers, as well as car numbers and the name of their police department. Take photos of any injuries that may have occurred and go to a doctor to get a medical report on them.

In fact, if you so much as touch a cop, or their uniform or equipment, even accidentally, you can legally be charged with assault on a police officer. That's often charged as a violent felony, which is a 'strike' if you're convicted. Also, police become very angry when they meet resistance, and they know that if they use their weapons, the 'system' will back them up, not you. Physically resisting an arrest will mean much more force from the officer and more charges in court.

...and try to get other people to stop too. Let the person who's being stopped know you're willing to be a witness. Get the names and numbers of other witnesses.

If an officer searches or detains you illegally, tell both the officer and any witnesses that it is against your consent, and repeat that OVER and OVER again.

But you may not want to tell the officer exactly what they're doing wrong, because they could just find a more legal way to search or detain you. Instead, just refuse your consent, take note of what happens, and if you get arrested, tell your lawyer later what the police did that was illegal. The officer's mistake could invalidate the charges against you, and it will probably help more to talk about it in court than on the street.

If you see someone consenting to a search or a stop by the police, let them know that they have the right to refuse their consent.

If you see severe misconduct, such as the police beating someone, you can call 911.

The 911 dispatchers must record your call, and it could be useful evidence later.