Wahidah Fowler

The story on Ronnie Holloway really encouraged me to create a post on what to do if you are approached by the police. If it wasn’t for a surveillance tape that captured the police officer brutality beating Ronnie Holloway the public would have never been informed of one of the many incidents of police brutality. Ronnie was arrested on charges of resisting arrest and wandering with the intent to buy drugs which was clearly shown that, that wasn’t what he was doing.

Topic
What to do if the police stops you for questioning!

Answer
I recommend you answer the questions though you don’t have to, but remember not answering will make cops suspicious, give your name and address all other info your not obligated to give.

Please–Don’t look suspicious
Do not run away! Do not bad mouth the police, even if you think whats happening is unreasonable.

What if it gets physical?
Police may pat down your clothing if they feel you are hiding a weapon. Remember that’s all they can do to you physically. Make sure you inform the cops that you don’t consent to any further search

How do cops target who they want to stop.
Sometimes they are limited to investigation of the specific suspicious activity…Remember when you are walking the streets, try to wear clothing that suits it’s season or don’t wear clothing that’s stereotypically commonly used in crimes (Such as a ski mask, rubber gloves and a bullet proof vest, all at the same time)
Cops will consider this reasonable suspicion which will give them a leeway to stop and frisk you.

The Statistics
90% of people that are stopped are non-whites
Cops will have stopped, questioned and frisked almost 628,000 persons by the end of the year.
“In the years 2004 through 2008, the NYPD stopped almost two million people on the streets”.

Now if a police questions you on additional matters, the stop can turn into an “arrest.” and they do not have to read you your “Miranda rights”, you know that whole speech “You have the right to remain silent….” etcetera…etcetera. You are considered to be under arrest when you are no longer free to leave, but keep in mind, when being questioned your not under arrest, though u can’t leave.

Tips:
Always keep your citizen’s ID on you
Try to remember the physical characteristics of the police
Ask or memorize the officers badge number

Create a voice mail from one of these free online websites. Once a cop approaches you for questions, if you already have you PHONE IN HAND dial the voice mail number so you can record the entire conversation. Even if you inform the cop, for my safety and for evidence, I will be recording our conversation. This would be good to have because if a cop was in the wrong you would have evidence. But please, if you phone is not in hand, do not pull it out, the cop may believe your pulling out a weapon and fire shots at you (which happened to Amadou Diallo).

If you need legal representation or advice on a police abuse or brutality case please call one of the following organizations:
 Peoples Self Defense Campaign
(718) 254-8800
 Neighborhood Defenders Service of Harlem
(Harlem residents only)
(212) 876-5500

HOPE I HELPED
xoxo,

Wahidah

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO!