Interacting with Officers

Interacting with Police

• Keep your hands where the officer can see them and don’t put them in your pockets.
• Follow the officer’s instructions.
• Remain calm and do not escalate the situation.
• Speak to the officer with the same level of respect that you expect from the officer.
• Do not touch the officer as this could be interpreted as a sign of aggression.
• Do not run as this may imply that you think you are guilty of something.
• Tell the officer if you have a weapon and do not reach for it.
• If the officer has the right to believe you are armed, then they have a right to pat you down for weapons to ensure everyone’s safety.
• The officer’s questions are to clarify information and are not an accusation of wrongdoing.
• Your cooperation will greatly reduce the time the officer contacts you.

What to do when stopped

• Slow down and pull to the right or onto a side street.
• Notify the officer if you have a CPL or a weapon in the vehicle.
• Spotlights are flashlights are used to illuminate the scene for everyone’s safety, not to intimidate you.
• Do not exit your vehicle and wait for the officer.
• Keep your hands visible.
• Tell passengers to sit quietly with their hands visible.
• Communicate your actions to the officer so they know what you are doing.
• You must provide your driver’s license, registration and proof of insurance if requested by the officer.
• If your documents are out of reach, tell the officer where they are before reaching for them.
• If asked to exit the vehicle follow the officer’s instructions.
• There is a legal process to challenge the ticket if you are issued a ticket. Debating the ticket on the side of the road will not achieve results.
• The ticket contains information on how to exercise your right of fighting a ticket.
• Your car can be searched with your consent or if the officer has probable cause to believe there is evidence of a crime in the car.