Important Questions and Answers: 

 

Can I legally film the police? 

There is no expectation of privacy in apublic place. You always have theright to film anyone and anything.

However if you get to close to an officer performing his duties you maybe charged with obstruction. 

 

Why stop and film? 

Ordinary people stopping and filmingthe police can mean that officersbehave differently than they would if no-one was watching and recordingtheir actions. This might make theexperience for the person who hasbeen stopped far less intimidating orthreatening. The more often thepolice are filmed stopping people, themore officers may come to expectthat they may be filmed in the future,which can influence the way theygenerally treat people and whetherstop & frisk powers are routinelyused indiscriminately. If police officers have acted unlawfully, filming them can help provide evidence if there is a formal complaint or if someone is arrested.

 

If given a directive by Command Staff?

Our main priority is to do exactly as directed by Copblock.org-film Law Enforcement while in the performance or their duties to ensure the safety of our Citizens both Law Enforcement and the public alike. We have expended our interests toward the accountability toward our Politicians as well since the levels of abuse to our Citizens has gone well above Law Enforcement. Nonetheless; our main object is to keep our Volunteer Staff as perfectly safe as possible. This means keep each person accountable to their specific duties. If in the event an individual is unable to perform thier duties at anyone given time, we have a "Chain-of-Command" that specifically handles the specific protocol to ensure this kind of situation to ensure to future successes of all our Volunteers. We all as Volunteers have a responsibility to uphold. Once you as the "Volunteer" sign as a "Member" with National & Tri-State CopBlock, you agree to uphold our policies and by-laws including those policies and by-laws of copblock.org. If anyone Volunteer is given a direction "order" by your "Chain-of-Command, you are immediately responsible to uphold these directions without question. Failure to follow directions provided by your "Chain-of-Command" will result in the dicmissal/termination of your mambership.

 

What kind oflaw enforcement officers might try toquestion me?

You could be questioned by a variety of law enforcementofficers, including state or local police officers, Joint TerrorismTask Force members, or federal agents from the FBI,Department of Homeland Security (which includesImmigration and Customs Enforcement and the BorderPatrol), Drug Enforcement Administration, Naval CriminalInvestigative Service, or other agencies.

 

Do I have to answer questions asked by lawenforcement officers?

No. You have the constitutional right to remain silent. Ingeneral, you do not have to talk to law enforcement officers (oranyone else), even if you do not feel free to walk away from theofficer, you are arrested, or you are in jail. You cannot be pun-ished for refusing to answer a question. It is a good idea totalk to a lawyer before agreeing to answer questions. In gen-eral, only a judge can order you to answer questions. (Non-cit-izens should see Section IV for more information on this topic.)

 

Are there any exceptions to the general rule that I donot have to answer questions?

Yes, there are two limited exceptions. First, in some states,you must provide your name to law enforcement officers if youare stopped and told to identify yourself. But even if you giveyour name, you are not required to answer other questions.Second, if you are driving and you are pulled over for a trafficviolation, the officer can require you to show your license,vehicle registration and proof of insurance (but you do nothave to answer questions). (Non-citizens should see Section IVfor more information on this topic.)

 

Can I talk to a lawyer before answering questions?

Yes. You have the constitutional right to talk to a lawyerbefore answering questions, whether or not the police tell youabout that right. The lawyer’s job is to protect your rights.Once you say that you want to talk to a lawyer, officers shouldstop asking you questions. If they continue to ask questions,you still have the right to remain silent. If you do not have alawyer, you may still tell the officer you want to speak to one. 

 

I do not like cops-Can I avoid them and just drive off or ignore them?

I have seen many cases where people where given a simple ticket but refused to sign the simple ticket over nonsense issues. After about 20 minutes heated conversation with te Officer, the woman with a van loaded with kids drives off to a hotel where her Husband is thinking he can stop the police. Her excuse was she did not like the Officer because he was "white"-the driver of the van was "African-American". Regardless of race-no driver has the right to just drive off without being dismissed by the Officers or you can face the consequences. Whether not not you like the Officer, abide by your Constitutional Rights and follow the answers above by the laws of your State. 

 

I have a Gun/knife in my vehicle; I am required to tell the Officer I have the weapon?

Yes and without hesistation right after he/she explains why they stopped you. This is for their protection as well as yours. If you did not follow all the local laws for transporting the weapon, your most likely going to loose the weapon. (As a common rules-remove the bullets from the weapon and store the bullets in one part of the vehicle while the weapon is in another part of the vehicle). Do NOT carry a loaded weapon in your vehicle. If you are a Security Officer/Police Officer and have the credentials to carry a loaded weapon, then follow the State laws that Govern the transport of the weapon. For the common Citizen; The Officer (for their protection-they have the right to know you have the weapon. If they ask to search your car, you have the right to say, "Not without a search warrant". 

 

What if law enforcement officers stop me on the street?

You do not have to answer any questions. You can say, “I donot want to talk to you” and walk away calmly. Or, if you do not feel comfortable doing that, you can ask if you are free to go. If the answer is yes, you can consider just walking away. Do not run from the officer. If the officer says you are not under arrest, but you are not free to go, then you are being detained.Being detained is not the same as being arrested, though an arrest could follow. The police can pat down the outside of your clothing only if they have “reasonable suspicion” (i.e., an objective reason to suspect) that you might be armed and dan-gerous. If they search any more than this, say clearly, “I do not consent to a search.” If they keep searching anyway, "do not physically resist them". You do not need to answer any questions if you are detained or arrested, except that the police may ask for your name once you have been detained, and you can be arrested in some states for refusing to provide it. (Non-citizens should see Section IV for more information on this topic.)

 

What if law enforcement officers stop me in my car?

Keep your hands where the police can see them. You must show your drivers license, registration and proof of insurance if you are asked for these documents. Officers can also ask you to step outside of the car, and they may separate passen-gers and drivers from each other to question them and com-pare their answers, but no one has to answer any questions.The police cannot search your car unless you give them your consent, which you do not have to give, or unless they have“probable cause” to believe (i.e., knowledge of facts sufficient to support a reasonable belief) that criminal activity is likely taking place, that you have been involved in a crime, or that you have evidence of a crime in your car. If you do not want your car searched, clearly state that you do not consent. The officer cannot use your refusal to give consent as a basis for doing a search.

 

What should I do if law enforcement officers arrest me?

The officer must advise you of your constitutional rights toremain silent, to an attorney, and to have an attorney appoint-ed if you cannot afford one.

You should exercise all theserights, even if the officers don’t tell you about them. Do not tell the police anything except your name. Anything else you say canand will be used against you. Ask to see a lawyer immediately.Within a reasonable amount of time after your arrest or booking you have the right to a phone call. Law enforcement officers may not listen to a call you make to your lawyer, but they can listen to calls you make to other people. You must be taken before a judge as soon as possible—generally within 48 hours of your arrest at the latest. 

 

Do I have to answer questions if I have been arrested?

No. If you are arrested, you do not have to answer any ques-tions or volunteer any information. Ask for a lawyer right away.Repeat this request to every officer who tries to talk to or ques-tion you. You should always talk to a lawyer before you decide toanswer any questions.

 

What if I am treated badly by law enforcement offi-cers?

Write down the officer’s badge number, name or other iden-tifying information. You have a right to ask the officer for thisinformation. Try to find witnesses and their names and phonenumbers. If you are injured, seek medical attention and takepictures of the injuries as soon as you can. Call a lawyer or con-tact your local ACLU office. You should also make a complaint tothe law enforcement office responsible for the treatment.