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INTERACTING WITH POLICE
"Silence is golden!" Be
careful what you say to a police. What you say CAN and WILL be
used against you.
You do not have to give your consent to
search of yourself, your home, or your vehicle. If asked,
indicate clearly that your consent is NOT given. Do not assume
that your silence translates to non-consent. If the officer
indicates that s/he has a search warrant, ask to see it. By law, they
may then search only the areas indicated in the warrant.
It is not illegal to refuse to answer questions. You may not be
arrested for refusing to identify yourself on the street, yet you must
provide identification when stopped in a car.
When stopped by an officer, ask for
identification. This may prove helpful later on.
An officer may "pat-down"
your clothing if they suspect a concealed weapon.
Ask if you're under arrest. If
so, you have the right to know why. If not, ask if you're free
to leave. If so, walk away. Never run from
the police.
Stay calm. Do not argue with the
police. Do not threaten the police. Do not fight with the
police. Do not give an officer the opportunity to claim
"self-defense" for killing you. It's your life. You know that the officers are armed and licensed to kill -- don't
give them just cause to make you their next casualty.
Do not resist arrest -- even if you're
innocent. You can file a complaint later.
Have you been
harassed or abused by the Knoxville Police Department?
Now you can file your complaint online. Click
here for
details.
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MIRANDA RIGHTS
Once arrested, your Miranda rights apply:
You
have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will
be used against you in a court of law.
You
have the right to speak with an attorney and to have him/her present
while you're being questioned. If you cannot afford an attorney,
one will be appointed to represent you.
The arresting officer must advise you
of these rights, yet s/he may recite them too quickly or
unintelligibly -- or maybe not at all. It is your responsibility
to know and to exercise these rights.
Tell the police nothing but your name
and address. Do not give explanations, excuses or stories.
Ask to see an attorney immediately. If you cannot afford a
lawyer, ask the police how a lawyer can be contacted.
FILING A COMPLAINT
IF YOU ARE HARASSED OR
BRUTALIZED BY THE KNOXVILLE
POLICE DEPARTMENT (KPD)
- Immediately
contact Citizens for Police Review (CPR) - 865.540.1632
- Take pictures if there are any
bruises, cuts or abrasions
- Seek medical attention for
injuries, if necessary
- Get the name(s) of the police
involved
- Get the names of all witnesses
- File complaint with the Police
Advisory and Review Committee (PARC) -856.215.3869
- File complaint with the Internal
Affairs Department of the KPD 865.521.1237
- File a formal complaint with the
Knoxville NAACP 865.522.8930
- Contact an attorney, if necessary
For more information on filing
a complaint, see our
Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQs).
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