Quick way to deal with cops in the UK.
Firstly start recording them ASAP, get the badges on their shoulders clearly on camera. If they swear at you, or abuse you, you’ll have it on tape and the way of identifying them and finding what station they’re from.
If they approach you for whatever reason say “No Comment” to all their questions, you aren’t under any obligation to answer most of their questions. Avoid friendly chit chat its usually a way for them to collect information on you.
Ask “Am I being detained” if they say no simply start walking away. Chances are they will follow you or try to verbally stop you but if you aren’t being detained they can’t hold you so you can leave.
If they say you are being detained ask what you’re being detained for. Follow this up by explaining to detain someone they need reasonable suspicion that a crime has been committed so ask them what crime they think has taken place and what are they suspicious of?
If they do detain you ask for both their names, and their stations, keep the camera on. Chances are if they’ve detained you they’ll either arrest you or search you. If searched ask the reason you’re being searched.
If they search you, you still don’t have to answer their questions, repeat no comment. Ask for a receipt of the search (if you want), if they ask for your name or address or details keep saying no comment even if they insist. If they find a form of ID on your person and discover your name, and they try to put that on the receipt or their notepad, request they don’t, they may ignore this request but its better to ask than admit defeat.
Remember:
- assume everyone you meet in a police station is a cop, including the cleaners, the doctors, the people who make coffee. don’t talk to any of them. Be kind to your cell mates but assume there could be fakes among them, don’t say anything they could use, don’t talk about your personal life.
- cops will use your vulnerabilities, like your need for medical care, to get you to talk because they know that once you start talking it’s easier to keep going than it is to stop. If you absolutely must communicate about your medical needs, stop yourself before every question and ask ‘do I REALLY need to answer that or would ‘no comment’ be enough? Return to a ‘no comment’ routine as soon as possible.