How to Deal w/the Pork in Blue

[IfasehunReincarnated]

Dealing with Police

In General
When dealing with the police, keep your hands in view and don't make sudden movements. Avoid passing behind them. Nervous cops are dangerous cops. Also, never touch the police or their equipment (vehicles, flashlights, animals, etc.) - you can get beat up and charged with assault.

The police do not decide your charges; they can only make recommendations. The prosecutor is the only person who can actually charge you. Remember this the next time the cops start rattling off all the charges they're supposedly "going to give you."

Questioning
Interrogation isn't always bright lights and rubber hoses - usually it's just a conversation. Whenever the cops ask you anything besides your name and address, it's legally safest to say these Magic Words:

"I am going to remain silent. I want to see a lawyer."

This invokes the rights which protect you from interrogation. When you say this, the cops (and all other law enforcement officials) are legally required to stop asking you questions. They probably won't stop, so just repeat the Magic Words or remain silent until they catch on.

Remember, anything you say to the authorities can and will be used against you and your friends in court. There's no way to predict what information the police might try to use or how they'd use it. Plus, the police often misquote or lie altogether about what was said. So say only the Magic Words and let all the cops and witnesses know that this is your policy. Make sure that when you're arrested with other people, the rest of the group knows the Magic Words and promises to use them.

One of the jobs of cops is to get information out of people, and they usually don't have any scruples about how they do it. Cops are legally allowed to lie when they're investigating, and they are trained to be manipulative. The only thing you should say to cops, other than identifying yourself, is the Magic Words: "I am going to remain silent. I want to see a lawyer."

Here are some lies they will tell you:

• "You're not a suspect - just help us understand what happened here and then you can go."
• "If you don't answer my questions, I'll have no choice but to arrest you. Do you want to go to jail?"
• "If you don't answer my questions, I'm going to charge you with resisting arrest."
• "All of your friends have cooperated and we let them go home. You're the only one left."

Cops are sneaky buggers and there are lots of ways they can trick you into talking. Here are some scams they'll pull:

• Good Cop/ Bad Cop: Bad cop is aggressive and menacing, while good cop is nice, friendly, and familiar (usually good cop is the same race and gender as you). The idea is bad cop scares you so bad you are desperately looking for a friend. Good cop is that friend.
• The cops will tell you that your friends ratted on you so that you will snitch on them. Meanwhile, they tell your friends the same thing. If anyone breaks and talks, you all go down.
• The cops will tell you that they have all the evidence they need to convict you and that if you "take responsibility" and confess the judge will be impressed by your honesty and go easy on you. What they really mean is: "we don't have enough evidence yet, please confess."

Jail is a very isolating and intimidating place. It is really easy to believe what the cops tell you. Insist upon speaking with a lawyer before you answer any questions or sign anything.

The Golden Rule: Never trust a cop.

The Miranda Warnings
The police do not have to read you your rights (also known as the Miranda warnings). Miranda applies when there is (a) an interrogation (b) by a police officer of other agent of law enforcement (c) while the suspect is in police custody (you do not have to be formally arrested to be "in custody"). Even when all these conditions are met, the police intentionally violate Miranda. And though your rights have been violated, what you say can be used against you. For this reason, it is better not to wait for the cops – you know what your rights are, so you can invoke them by saying the Magic Words, "I am going to remain silent. I want to see a lawyer."

If you've been arrested and realize that you have started answering questions, don't panic. Just re-invoke your rights by saying the Magic Words again. Don't let them trick you into thinking that because you answered some of their questions, you have to answer all of them.

Police Encounters
There are three basic types of encounters with the police: Conversation, Detention, and Arrest.

Conversation:
When the cops are trying to get information, but don't have enough evidence to detain or arrest you, they'll try to weasel some information out of you. They may call this a "casual encounter" or a "friendly conversation". If you talk to them, you may give them the information they need to arrest you or your friends. In most situations, it's better and safer not to talk to cops.

Detention:
Police can detain you only if they have reasonable suspicion (see below) that you are involved in a crime. Detention means that, though you aren't arrested, you can't leave. Detention is supposed to last a short time and they aren't supposed to move you. During detention, the police can pat you down and go into your bag to make sure you don't have any weapons. They aren't supposed to go into your pockets unless they feel a weapon.

If the police are asking questions, ask if you are being detained. If not, leave and say nothing else to them. If you are being detained, you may want to ask why. Then you should say the Magic Words: "I am going to remain silent. I want a lawyer" and nothing else.

A detention can easily turn into arrest. If the police are detaining you and they get information that you are involved in a crime, they will arrest you, even if it has nothing to do with your detention. For example, if someone gets pulled over for speeding (detained) and the cop sees drugs in the car, the cops will arrest her for possession of the drugs even though it has nothing to do with her getting pulled over. Cops have two reasons to detain you: 1) they are writing you a citation (a traffic ticket, for example), or 2) they want to arrest you but they don't have enough information yet to do so.

Arrest:
Police can arrest you only if they have probable cause (see below) that you are involved in a crime. When you are arrested, the cops can search you to the skin and go through you car and any belongings. By law, an officer strip searching you must be the same gender as you.

If the police come to your door with an arrest warrant, go outside and lock the door behind you. Cops are allowed to search any room you go into, so don't go back into the house for any reason. If they have an arrest warrant, hiding won't help because they are allowed to force their way in if they know you are there. It's usually better to just go with them without giving them an opportunity to search.

Reasonable Suspicion vs. Probable Cause
Reasonable suspicion must be based on more than a hunch - cops must be able to put their suspicion into words. For example, cops can't just stop someone and say, "She looked like she was up to something." They need to be more specific, like, "She was standing under the overpass staring up at some graffiti that hadn't been there 2 hours ago. She had the same graffiti pattern written on her backpack. I suspected that she had put up the graffiti."

Cops need more proof to say they have a probable cause than to say they have a reasonable suspicion. For example, "A store owner called to report someone matching her description tagging a wall across the street. As I drove up to the store, I saw her running away spattered with paint and carrying a spray can in her hand."

Searches
Never consent to a search! If the police try to search your house, car, backpack, pockets, etc. say the Magic Words 2: "I do not consent to this search." This may not stop them from forcing their way in and searching anyway, but if they search you illegally, they probably won't be able to use the evidence against you in court. You have nothing to lose from refusing to consent to a search and lots to gain. Do not physically resist cops when they are trying to search because you could get hurt and charged with resisting arrest or assault. Just keep repeating the Magic Words 2 so that the cops and all witnesses know that this is your policy.

Be careful about casual consent. That is, if you are stopped by the cops and you get out of the car but don't close the door, they can search the car and claim that they though you were indicating consent by leaving the door ajar. Also, if you say, "I'd rather you didn't search," they can claim that you were reluctantly giving them permission to search. Always just say the Magic Words 2: "I do not consent to this search."

If the cops have a search warrant, nothing changes - it's legally safest to just say the Magic Words 2. Again, you have nothing to lose from refusing to consent to a search, and lots to gain if the search warrant is incorrect or invalid in some way. If they do have a search warrant, ask to read it. A valid warrant must have a recent date (usually not more than a couple of weeks), the correct address, and a judge's or magistrate's signature; some warrants indicate the time of day the cops can search. You should say the Magic Words 2 whether or not the search warrant appears correct. The same goes for any government official who tries to search you, your belongings, or your house.

Infiltrators and Informants
Undercover cops sometimes infiltrate political organizations. They can lie about being cops even if asked directly. Undercover cops can even break the law (narcs get hazard pay for doing drugs as part of their cover) and encourage others to do so as well. This is not legally entrapment.

FBI and other government agents
The essence of the Magic Words "I'm keeping my mouth shut until I talk to a lawyer" not only applies to police but also to the FBI, INS, CIA, even IRS. If you want to be nice and polite, tell them that you don't wish to speak with them until you've spoken with your lawyer, or that you won't answer questions without a lawyer present. If you are being investigated as a result of your political activity, you can call the National Lawyers Guild at (415) 582-1055; they will help you find a lawyer you can talk to.

Taking Notes
Whenever you interact with or observe the police, always write down what is said and who said it. Write down the cops' names and badge numbers and the names and contact information of any witnesses. Record everything that happens. If you are expecting a lot of police contact, get in the habit of carrying a small tape recorder and a camera with you. Be careful - cops don't like people taking notes, especially if the cops are planning on doing something illegal. Observing them and documenting their actions may have very different results; for example, it may cause them to respond aggressively, or it may prevent them from abusing you or your friends.

Conclusion
People deal with police in all kinds of circumstances. You must make an individual decision about how you will interact with law enforcement. It is important to know your legal rights, but it is also important for you to decide when and how to use them in order to best protect yourself.

[Kentake]

Hotep family!,
I think i will make photocopies of this and distribute it to the brothers in the community here as there has been an increasing rise in pig brutality against our brothers in Montreal. it is imperative that black men know how to deal with krakkka beasts in blue when they decide to "tek set" on US. i will make copies of this document and leave some at the bookstore as well as pass them out at our "rare" community events. all sistahs and bros on this site who have teenage sons and older brothers in their lives plz inform them of this info and give them a copy as well. modupe.


SANKOFA!,
Sistah Kentake.

[Kweku_Omowale]

i dealt with cops myself kentake,but when you live in city,that is predominantly white like victoria,british columbia,where kkkops would encourage black people to leave the city and go to night clubs and harass young blackmales and tell dem to leave their cities,they knew me by name and told me,to get out of there,because,i was raising too much noise with my human rights work/activity,because my name was on the paper( local paper)
in victoria british columbia,your odds are stack agaisnt you,if you are black,amerindian or other color,they killed an indigenous artist and hid the evidence,wasa big case in victoria,i had enumerous friends( continental africans) that were harassed by the kkkops and they left the town because,the kops were marking the black cars

[Nesayem]

This is really I call to awareness. Baba Sehun if I would have had this kind of info a few years ago I probably could have saved my self some headaches, drama, and some time. The issue of police harrasment and trumped up charges is very real and I really want to encourage everyone to read and retain what sugggestions are being made here because with the work we are doing coupled with the fact we are Afrikans...you never know when they will come knocking or should I say breaking down your door.

[Nefertiti]

This is valuble information!!! I personally have no respect for police all the municipality's of police within this country and the government are the biggest gangs ever to exist here in america, and if there's any cops or government officials on here and happen to read this i dont apologize

[Supreme_Truth_Allah]

This was needed for real, its sad that most people feel they need to call the cops for protection when in reality you have to be ready to protect yourself from the pigs

true indeed

[melodious]

yes...the man will "summarize" your words in statements they make for u...and then you sign a statement to get them off your back; the next thing you know you wind up as defendent that has incriminated him/herself....remember to remain silent....silent....silent....don't give them words to use...they will....they will take you anyway they can...i have seen the "man" perjer himself to get conviction...in a cali case, a man...yes...a man was being tried for growing cannabis under prop 215 law of compassionate caregiver....somehow, he ended up in a big trial, and when case was going in favor of defense, the "man" brought in an eye witness (another pig) stating this farmer was involved in a meth raid on a specific date...as defendant referred back to that date in his mind, he realized he was in custody for initial arrest that prompted probation search....it really pissed off big bald heads of d.a that state law allows cannabis for patients here, and p.o was pissed off that defendent could smoke his medicine under our law...they just knew he was an organized identity...he was a single man with no chil'n doing what he does the best and closest to his private worship.....personally i think laws and controls are tightening up to the point where it's gonna be "dumb asses" against all ppl of culture or any type of free thinking....we gotta get across lines...with eachother...time is running out....we are freedom fighters....it's pure and maybe not always simple but we gotta get down and start stripping their authority.... i think i read in another thread somewhere here that we need to supervise our police districts...may be start having law enforcement agencies under scrutiny of grand jury, or something has to change....we need to create another bill of rights....mayb update it or something,...i'm not sure...but i'm sure that time is ticking here......

[melodious]

hell iv'even seen them send a young w man 25 or 26 years old away for 26 years for being a drug offender... b.s.....it's gotta stop...man it's b.s..ppl don't listen to me; they usually think i'm talking a lot of sh*t, but i can see that there is great strength here....

[melodious]

Originally Posted by Supreme_Truth_Allah

This was needed for real, its sad that most people feel they need to call the cops for protection when in reality you have to be ready to protect yourself from the pigs

true indeed

if ur smart, you will only call cops in complete and life and death situations only...even i would wait until after i was certain there is death....i just think calling pigs is asking someone else to tend your garden...it'll always cost u in the long run.....somehow they aren't there to help ya....only take you into interogation rooms.....assh*les!!!!!! and don't let your neighbor who is cop deceive you....if they wear a uniform, they tend not to be creative thinkers...they tend to walk with flock that f*cks your and my life up...if you love ppl; try to discourage them from being part of this b*S* machine...it's a lemon.....

are we seeing aye to aye yet, here???? waz up????

[ThinkFree]

peace, love and thanks...

[Moorish Rebel]

I shall print this out and pass this around in my community. Thanx brother!

[Mahmoud Siddiqi]

Thank you for providing this information Ifasehun.


We must remember that the pigs WILL NOT abide by the law and the rules they are supposed to have when questioning/detaining/arresting people. There is SUPPOSE TO BE a limited time we can be detained without being arrested, but as we all should know, those rights WILL BE BROKEN. The prime example for this is obviously our numerous political prisoners.

As it says above, the best thing is to remain SILENT.


FREE ALL PRISONERS OF CONSCIOUS!!!

HANDS OFF ASSATA!!

[Revolutionary_Student]

I don't know HOW I missed this one! Very useful info brotha Ifa! Definately a printworthy thread

[Stan]

An excellent piece of information, well written and we'll incorporate it into our curriculum

And there is one major thing we might add. With many police, in particular the FBI, it is a crime to lie to them - I believe the current Libby leak indictment is based on Libby lying to the FBI - it is even more important to say the magic words.

We provide education programs in Spanish Harlem - martial arts education along with programs in thought control and psychic self defense. (www.peaceonthestreet.com) At Peace on the Street we take the advice to the next level - energy management and controlling the cop's mind - as part of our Ninja training.

1. When the participant says the magic words we teach him to use a light, very slight smile and project slightly pleasant to no energy. The hint of pleasantness helps the participant monitor his or her body language / attitude communication that will be the source of additional attention /aggression by the cop.

2. It is important for the participant not to have a passive state of mind. His/Her goal is to control the cop's mind. That means that the cop has lost interest and ideally feels mildly positive towards the detainee. What is especially desired is that the cop has turned his attention to others and has forgotten the participant entirely. If this is done properly the cop will have a difficult time remembering the participant's name or appearance after a few hours. The important point here is that the participant is not just passively putting up with being harassed by the police. The participant is engaged in an active project to control the cop's state of mind.

3. We teach that there are certain identification questions that are OK to answer, such as a name and address; again, simple one or two word answers, providing no energy in the exchange and maintaining a slightly pleasant demeanor. After that however the participant must avoid any additional conversation with the police. The participant is taught not to joke or engage in causal conversation even if it is obvious that the police are going to let him or her go. During the Middle Ages exorcists were told not to converse with the demons that they were exorcising. Any conversation - even if it does not go to the level of requiring the magic words only draws the participant into being controlled by the words and images of the opposition - and most importantly to experience the power that the police have in that moment. In this situation the police are not the participant's friend. They may be his or her friend when he or she speaks to police from a position of power - like being an elected official having a hearing on the departmental budget.

4. The Ninja approach is particularly easy if the participant holds his or her self in a state of meditative awareness. Communicating from this state makes the pleasant/ on message communication natural. Also holding that state will cause the cop to feel vaguely unsatisfied and motivated to find someone else to match the his or her aggressive, fear based energy. While learning how to hold oneself in this state of awareness takes some practice, it is not that hard and well worth the effort - particularly if the participant is an inner city male between the ages of 16 and 24.


Stan

[5602]

To deal with this problem.

I have been the victim of police lies. So I know what length they will go to. Also, In my neighborhood you can't go 5 blocks or 5 minutes without seeing a police car, but don't call the police for anything cause it will take them atleast 20 minutes or more to get there.