If Stopped by Police; Know Your Rights!

This is an article version of a paper card written and distributed by Winnipeg Police Cause Harm, edited by Fio Cobbs. Some text and formatting has been changed to accommodate for the web and as per-opinion by Queer Winnipeg.

A printable PDF of the card can be found on their resources page, at Resources - Winnipeg Police Cause Harm.

It’s best to:

• Be silent. You are not obligated to talk to the police.
• Ask the police if you are being arrested or detained. If you are not being arrested or detained, you can leave.

If asked, you are obligated to:

• Give you name, address, and birth date.
• If driving, show your licence and proof of insurance.
• If the police command you to do something, you can ask why, or do it silently.

You have the right to:

• Know why you are being arrested or detained.
• Refuse to talk to the police or answer their questions.
• Insist on your right to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.
• Get help from a lawyer, even if you can’t afford to pay.

State loudly and repeatedly:

I do not consent to this search.

Before the police can search you house, car, belongings, or body, you have the RIGHT to:

• Demand to see a search warrant, if searching your property.
• Insist that a strip search be private and conducted by officers of your preferred gender.

You are allowed to:

• Make note of police conduct in your interactions with them.
• Ask a police officer for their name or badge number.
• Record what you experienced.

Contact a lawyer as soon as possible.

Do not physically resist or fight back.

This number was obtained by Winnipeg Police Cause Harm (WPCH) a few years ago from a lawyer, providing training. It also doesn’t exist exist, nor is there reference to a website. If the number does not work, see the linked website.

The card that this article has been made from, has been scanned and put here for your convenience. However, you can get the raw quality PDF from Resources - Winnipeg Police Cause Harm.