What to do When Stopped by the Police

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What to do When Stopped by the Police

• A presentation of the City of Riverside
  Community Police Review Commission

Based on information from the National
Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers,
Inc.
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Purpose of Presentation

• Understand the risks
• Basis for typical police officer actions
• Know what to expect and what to do
• Responding to problems
• Acknowledging good practices

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This presentation is not intended to serve as
legal advice. Instead, this presentation is a
collection of suggestions developed by Riverside
citizens, based on experience including service
on the Community Police Review Commission.  You
are encouraged to consider the suggestions and
apply them to your situation, if you find them
useful.  If you do have contact with police,
and feel the need for guidance or consultation,
you are encouraged to contact an attorney or
other professional for expert advice on your
situation.
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Understanding the Risks

• Police officers routinely stop individuals
• Stops are routinely the most dangerous activity
  of police officers
• If you have been stopped by a police officer they
  think they have a reason to do so
• Any unexpected act or aggression will trigger the
  police officers training to control the
  situation

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Understanding the Risks

• Attempts to run or fight will result in use of
  force by the police officer
• Arguing will not likely change the situation and
  risks escalation
• It is far easier to talk your way into jail than
  to talk your way out of jail
• Remember that the time to address an unfair stop
  is not during the stop. Stay calm. Answer
  questions and keep track of what seems unfair or
  inappropriate

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Lawful Actions of the Police Officer

• You will be asked to identify yourself and show
  some identification
• Provides the officer important information about
  who you are and whether you are the person they
  expected to stop

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Lawful Actions of the Police Officer

• If you are in a vehicle you will be asked to
  provide proof of ownership and insurance
• The law requires drivers to have a valid license
  to drive and to provide proof of registration and
  insurance
• Vehicles may be impounded if verification is not
  provided. It is the discretion of the police
  officer
• If you dont have the lawful verification then
  you may want to consider not talking your way
  into jail or vehicle impound

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Lawful Actions of the Police Officer

• Police officers may ask Are you on probation
  or parole?
• As offensive as this question may seem to many
  people, the answer is very important for the
  officer in determining the next steps and scope
  of the stop

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Lawful Actions of the Police Officer

• Property searches
• Generally speaking, police officers may search
  property only if given permission or they have a
  search warrant
• Vehicles, and in limited cases residences, may be
  searched if the officer determines there is
  probable cause that a crime has occurred and
  evidence must be preserved
• The officer may ask permission to conduct the
  search and will do so if you give consent

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Lawful Actions of thePolice Officer

• Searches of Persons
• Officers will search individuals to assure no
  weapons are available
• The officer may ask if you have a weapon or
  something that could harm the officer. Answer
  truthfully.

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Lawful Actions of thePolice Officer

• Detaining, handcuffing, and placing individuals
  into the police car

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Lawful Actions of thePolice Officer

• Making the arrest, placing an individual into
  custody

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Know What to DoIf you are stopped while driving

• Pull over to a safe stop. Activate your turn
  signal to indicate you intend to pull over when
  it is safe
• Roll down your front windows so the officer may
  approach on either side
• Turn the vehicle engine off
• If it is dark, turn on the vehicle dome light
• Place your hands in plain site both hands on the
  steering wheel is reassuring. If the windows are
  tinted place both hands out the window

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Know What to DoIf you are stopped while driving

• Keep facing forward. It may be awhile before the
  officer approaches the vehicle. Do not fidget
  and keep turning around
• Do not exit the vehicle unless instructed by the
  officer
• Allow the officer to speak first, answer the
  questions asked
• Provide requested verifications - valid drivers
  license, registration and insurance

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Know What to DoIf you are stopped while driving

• If verification items are in the glove box do not
  remove them until instructed by the officer
• Inform the officer of any weapons or other
  potentially dangerous items in the glove box
  before opening it
• If the verification documents are in a wallet or
  purse, tell the officer you would need to reach
  for your wallet/purse and await their
  instructions before moving to retrieve the items

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Know What to DoIf you are stopped on the Street

• Stop walking or running
• Answer questions truthfully. You may answer with
  brief responses but provide the information
  requested
• If the reason for the stop is not obvious, you
  may ask why you were stopped. The officer may
  not respond immediately, but will as required
• Remember the officer may be stopping you due to a
  recent crime or situation that you are unaware of
  but are suspected of being involved.

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Know What to DoIf you are stopped on the Street

• Follow the officers instructions
• Keep your hands visible. Do not reach into
  pockets or under clothing until directed by the
  officer
• Inform the officer of any weapon or other
  dangerous item you may be carrying

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Know What to DoIf an Officer comes to your door

• Officers must identify themselves verbally and
  display a badge if requested
• If the officer asks permission to enter, you may
  agree or decline
• If the officer has a search warrant you may ask
  to see the written warrant. Check the address.
  
• If the officer has an arrest warrant you may ask
  to see the written warrant. Check to be sure
  they have the correct person.

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Know What to DoIf an Officer comes to your door

• If a police officer takes any of your property
  they are required to provide you with a written
  receipt, unless it is being booked as evidence
• When a person is arrested, officers have the
  right to search the person and the immediate area
  of the arrest

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Always Remember

• If the police officer stopped you, they think
  they have a reason to do so
• It is best to remain calm and identify yourself
  when asked to do so
• Yelling or threatening the officer will only
  worsen the situation
• Do not run or fight with the police officer,
  doing so will only justify use of force

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Responding to Problems

• If you are being treated unfairly
• Continue to follow the officers instructions but
  calmly and clearly state your objection
• Note the officers name and badge number
• As soon as possible write down all you remember
  about the situation. If possible obtain witness
  names
• Police officers are required to provide a
  business card upon request
• Report the situation as soon as possible

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Responding to Problems

• If you witness police officer misconduct
• Do not interfere with the officer
• Stand away from the situation to observe the
  activities
• You may record the situation as long as you are
  in a public area and are not interfering with the
  situation
• You may request a business card from the officer
• As soon as possible write down everything you
  remember about the situation. If possible obtain
  witness names
• Report the situation as soon as possible

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Reporting Problems

• You can request to speak with the officers
  Sergeant
• Call the on duty Watch Commander
• XXX-XXXX
• Complaint forms are available at
• All police centers and must be provided upon
  request
• Community Police Review Commission office on the
  6th floor of City Hall
• All Community Centers at City parks

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Acknowledging Good Practices

• Policing is a difficult job. It is as important
  to identify and acknowledge good police
  practices.
• Dont forget to make that call or write that
  letter of thanks and acknowledgement for a job
  well done.

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How does your Police Department stack up against
the NFL? Citizens feel that Police Officers
should always make correct decisions 100 of the
time.However, no profession can perform at that
success rate.NFL players practice with
teammates daily, prepare by watching film, and
make sure they're in tip top shape, much like
the police. Since 2000 Tom Brady Peyton
Manning combined have thrown 591 touchdowns,
completing 65 of their passes. But they have
also thrown a total of 280 interceptions and
have not executed about 35 of their pass plays.
Yet they are considered the best in the NFL
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Rememberno one can be perfect 100 of the
time, including our Police Officers.Expect them
to try, but dont expect perfection.
Try to understand that police work is demanding
and difficult. If you have contact with police
and the officer did not perform to your
expectation, you may contact the Police
Department or the Commission.
RPD logged 190,482 incidents in 2009,yet the
Commission only received 57 complaintsthat is
0.0003.
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Good policing depends on strong partnership
with the community

• We all have a stake in good,
• effective policing