JasCo Metropolitan Police

Frequently in the course of carrying out their duties in law enforcement, it becomes necessary for police officers to stop a person and make an inquiry such as:

· What is your name?

· What is your address?

· Do you have any identification?

 

But sometimes a very routine encounter may cause a person to feel intimidated or to respond in a manner which gives rise to conflict or suspicion.

The JasCo Metropolitan Police Department strives to provide service to everyone in the community fairly and equally. We hope that the information on this page will be helpful in explaining why an officer may have to stop and question a citizen and reduce elements of conflict when confronted by an officer.

It will explain what to expect if a police officer stops you for questioning and also provide some guidelines on how to respond to the questioning process. You are cautioned, however, that this is not a legal advisory.

 

WHY QUESTION?
When law enforcement representatives question a person, there are underlying reasons. They may be checking out a complaint phoned into police by someone in the neighborhood. They may have received a report of some criminal activity which has just occurred in the area. Your presence might indicate that you are a potential witness who would be able to provide valuable information in an investigation. In some cases the officers' observations might lead them to think you are having trouble and need assistance.

The best way for them to clarify the situation is to ask questions. With all due respect to citizens' rights, officers have a responsibility to properly investigate matters which may threaten public safety or involve breaking the law. Their questions are not necessarily an accusation, and your cooperative response can alleviate potential conflict.

 

IF THE POLICE STOP YOU . . . ON THE STREET
Sometimes problems arise when it seems as if a police officer has stopped to question you for what appears to be no reason at all. Since the time factor may be crucial in investigating a possible crime, police officers are trained to observe and evaluate a situation and to act if they have a reasonable suspicion that you may in some way be involved in an incident.

There are many factors that officers take into consideration in determining if they have a reasonable suspicion to stop and question someone. Every situation is different, but some factors they may consider are:

 

· Police may have a minimal description of a suspect which you might resemble.

 

· You might be in an area where a crime has just been committed.

 

· Your actions appear to be suspicious (i.e. running from an area where a crime has just been committed) and you act even more suspiciously when you see the police officer.

 

· Someone may have pointed you out as a suspect.

 

             Your forthright responses, if an officer does stop and question you, will usually quickly resolve the situation. If the officer hasn't told you why you have been stopped, you may inquire. If despite these considerations, you feel that you do not want to respond, the officer must respect your right not to answer. However, your cooperation would be most helpful in aiding a police investigation.

 

IF THE POLICE STOP YOU . . . IN YOUR CAR
A traffic stop is one of the most frequent encounters between citizens and police. Usually, police officers will pull a vehicle over if they have reason to believe that some offense has occurred. You may feel anxious, irritated at the delay, or concerned about a possible citation. However, officers are also concerned about possible threats to their personal safety while performing their duties.

The following recommended procedures will ensure that the traffic stop can be completed quickly and safely.

 

· When signaled by an officer, safely pull over to a place out of traffic flow.

 

· Sit calmly, with your hands visible on the steering wheel. If you have passengers, ask them to sit quietly with their hands visible. (Avoid sudden movements or ducking in the seat; these actions can unnecessarily alarm the officer.)

 

· If it is night, turn on your inside light when you pull the car over. For safety reasons, the officer will want to visually scan the car's interior before proceeding.

 

· Do not get out of your car unless the officer asks you to step out. If you are asked to do so, comply in a calm manner.

 

· A sure way to put an officer at ease is to communicate your actions in advance by telling the officer what you will be doing before you move. Also, you can ask to see the officer's identification.

 

· If requested, you must give the officer your driver's license and vehicle registration. Tell the officer where it is before reaching for it - especially if it is tucked away in the glove box or some other unusual place.

 

 

If you are issued a citation, you may be asked to sign it. Signing is not an admission of guilt, but an acknowledgment that you have received the citation.

While you may wish to clarify the circumstances of the citation, keep in mind that your guilt or innocence can only be determined in court. Arguments over or protests about the situation cannot be resolved in the street.

JasCo Metropolitan Police