What type of rights do you have when it comes to police?

[Happysmile]

I always wounder what type of rights i have when i come face to face with a police officer? What type of power do they have? I feel like they can do anything they want.

[Nave]

within a limit they can, its best to cooperate with them. Of course there is a line somewhere, but there are a lot of restrictions for them. its like the line is high-lighted and when it is crossed seems the media has a hayday

[mander]

If you have done nothing wrong or aren't doing or carrying anything illegal, just do as they ask. If you have done nothing wrong, you are free to go within minutes.

[Bogie]

Full co-operation at the time of any police "confrontation" is best advice. Unless you happen to have a lawyer standing by your side that can speak for you.

Resisting arrest, or confinment, or simply not following police instructions, might be considered illegal within itself.

Besides that, what concerns do you have? Under what conditions? What type of police confrontation are you asking about? There must be some sort of reason for this question.

[freestylegreek]

Ya dont be like most idiots when the cops come to talk to them about something they get in the cops face and they wonder why they got in trouble and blame it on there skin colour.

A friend of mine that is Indian got stopped by the police cause his trunk was slighty opened. First thing outta my friends mouth is "why did you stop me im indian not black". The cop got mad and said well your trunk is slighty opened and my friend was all embarrassed.

[masher]

the best I can find for you at the moment is from York Regional police

http://www.police.york.on.ca/policeduties.htm

[Happysmile]

thank you masher for that link and the other people for there info

[Ken_ver_1_5]

in the world we live in none at all.
but never try to prove it.
suspicion of guilt is all thats needed
to throw you in the clink.
guilty unless proven innocent thats the reality.

[Happysmile]

Also i heard of some bad stories of Police from some people(don't if there true or not). Like one side they got hit by them with a phone book and i notice that teens get pull over more and and stoped alot too. I had old freind way back got pulled over, All he did was went into a Grocery store parking lot to turn around and the police pull him over, thought he was dealing drugs and was going to bring the K-9 unit over, he told everyone to get out and they did a search of the car for drugs.

[Law]

just read the charter of rights.

[jovin]

As a citizen you have an obligation to obey the law. You break the law and you'll find out that the police have many more rights than you. Best rule is to obey the law and be extremely courteous even when confronted by the police when innocent.

[Lesley]

Something to always keep in mind is what the media reports is only a small part of the whole story. Negative reporting. You never (or rarely) hear the "cop saves cat from tree" stories but you do hear the "cop used excessive force on innocent man" (even though the innocent man may have resisted or otherwise given the cop a reason to subdue him). As soon as someone becomes physical or aggressive with a cop it's game over. At that point whether you were innocent at the onset or not doesn't matter.

There are groups that will be pulled over more often, teenage males and young men, black or white have been singled out because statistics show very clearly that they are more likely to be driving under the influence. Sure it's not fair to the responsible members of this age group but if you're innocent of any wrongdoing, if you cooperate with the police then it's likely that the "ordeal" will be over with quickly. If you're out downtown with a noisy, rowdy crowd on a Friday night you may find the cops want to talk to you. It may not seem reasonable, all you're doing is having fun with your friends but until the cops talk to you they have to assume the worst because very often the worst is what they have to deal with.

[Walter]

Something to always keep in mind is what the media reports is only a small part of the whole story. Negative reporting. You never (or rarely) hear the "cop saves cat from tree" stories but you do hear the "cop used excessive force on innocent man" (even though the innocent man may have resisted or otherwise given the cop a reason to subdue him). As soon as someone becomes physical or aggressive with a cop it's game over. At that point whether you were innocent at the onset or not doesn't matter.

There are groups that will be pulled over more often, teenage males and young men, black or white have been singled out because statistics show very clearly that they are more likely to be driving under the influence. Sure it's not fair to the responsible members of this age group but if you're innocent of any wrongdoing, if you cooperate with the police then it's likely that the "ordeal" will be over with quickly. If you're out downtown with a noisy, rowdy crowd on a Friday night you may find the cops want to talk to you. It may not seem reasonable, all you're doing is having fun with your friends but until the cops talk to you they have to assume the worst because very often the worst is what they have to deal with.

Thanks for bringing up the other side of the story.......I would suggest to Happface that if he wants to know his rights why doesn't he talk to a police officer and establish a dialogue. Say hello to an officer next time you see one in Timmies.....

[tweakthis]

My hat is off to these men and women who put themselves on the line for our safety and peace of mind. They deal with the elements of society that I don't even want to know about (child abuse, kiddi porn, rapists, drug dealers, etc). That being said, however, I told my daughter that if she's ever taken to police station, she is to say either, "I want my mother." or "I want a lawyer.", depending on her age and the circumstances. Ah well, a Mum's gotta do what a Mum's gotta do. LOL

[bigzig]

just read the charter of rights.


heh yup.. if you want to know what kinds of rights you have. its all in the charter. if the police officer breaks anyof them.

you are let off scat free

[Bogie]

heh yup.. if you want to know what kinds of rights you have. its all in the charter. if the police officer breaks anyof them.

you are let off scat free
That's a pretty all-encompassing statement. This is beginning to sound like a "What can I get away with?" thread.

No matter what you think your "rights" are, co-operation with law enforcement is the best road to travel. If the officer was wrong, and you are arrested, it will be corrected. If it was a multiple-offense charge, do not expect all to be forgiven because one of them didn't "follow the rules".

I do not envy any police officer - it's a tough job. In my 57 yrs I have not had any "problems" with law enforcement. I have not always been an angel :D - especially in youth, but full co-operation has always resulted in fair play.

I never have understood why someone would want to hit a hornet's nest with baseball bat.