Be calm, be respectful, be observant, request a business card, remember badge numbers, know your rights report any violated rights.

Run, reach, negotiate, argue, curse, or yell, resist arrest, speak after you say you will remain silent.

• NYPD officers MUST ask for your consent to search you or your personal belongings in a bag, closed container, or vehicle.
• NYPD must provide free interpretation in your preferred language when they talk to you. If you need language help, ask for it.
• Even if you have previously agreed to your locker and its contents at a shelter to be subject to an inspection at any time by authorized personnel due to shelter rules, you do not have to provide consent to the police to any searches of your person or bags or personal affects, including your cell phone.
• On your phone, a number, pin, or password is better than a fingerprint or face ID to unlock it. Protect the contents on your phone! You do not have to provide a password to the police to unlock your phone.
• Keep your social media private, and remember it can be used against you!
• Calmly say, “I do not consent this search.”
• Don’t give away your DNA! Politely Decline DNA swabs, food, cigarettes, and/or drinks offered by a police officer in an interrogation room. You can also take your trash with you.

• You have the right to remain silent and to have a lawyer.
• Always say: “I want to talk to a lawyer and I am going to remain silent.”
• You can tell the police your name and date of birth – BUT REMEMBER: STAY SILENT. If you say anything, you have waived your right to right to remain silent.

If the Police Talk to you:

• You do NOT have to answer questions if you are not being detained.
• ALWAYS ASK: “ Am I free to leave?”
• You do not have to walk in public with an ID, but having a photo ID can speed up a police encounter.

The information in this document has been prepared by The Legal Aid Society for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. This information is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. You should not act upon any information without retaining professional legal counsel.