Do I have to speak to the Police?

Question

I have just been riding my bicycle home and I was stopped by 2 police officers, who were talking about some incident or other, not involving myself, or seen by me; even after they accepted this (they did not suspect my involvement in the first place, they were just talking to all cyclists), they continued to lecture me for an inordinate amount of time; would I have been within my rights just to leave, or perhaps even to have just not stopped for them in the first place?

Answer 1

They'll only nick you if you you don't let them have their own way then lie about what you did to get more out of you in fines. That's what the police is there for, not to worry about the law but to get as much money out of people as they can. They call it fines but everyone knows it's tax, and the cops are there to collect it.

Answer 2

you don't have too but it doesn't look good if you leave

if you didn't stop you would have seemed suspicious

you could have politely asked to leave though

Answer 3

You are absolutely in the right to leave.

I would not suggest it.  I would definitely not suggest not stopping at all, as they could construe that as "flight" and you could end up arrested and/or beaten.

When their questioning becomes burdensome, say something like, "So, we're done here then?"  "Can I help you with anything else?"

Then, yes, walk away.  It is your right.

EDIT:  For clarification, if you don't have the right to walk away, its because they are arresting you, in which case you don't want to say anything.

Answer 4

Infortanatly u have to stay , u dont haveto tell them anything, but they would prob detain you if u just left.

Answer 5

You don't want to be charged with failure to cooperate.

Answer 6

No,

Ask them if you're free to  leave, if they say no, ask them what you're being charged with..

Answer 7

Just say, officer, am I being charged with a crime? if I am not I would like to be on my way..

Answer 8

You are no obliged to speak to the Police but if you didn't this may arose their suspicion and you may end up getting arrested if they suspect you of having committed an offence.

If you have nothing to hide, whats the problem?

You may cite civil liberties etc but why do this when all the officers were doing is their job?

You can stop and talk to us sometimes, we're not all bad you know.

Answer 9

You do not have to speak to the Police.  As much as possible be polite and don't tell them ANYTHING.  Watch the video in the link to understand why.

http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/342.htm...

Happy cycling.

Answer 10

Well I don't know the legality of this however keep in mind my experience with most police if you don't do exactly what they want then they will find some reason to arrest you.  So you are better to just talk to them and move on....

Answer 11

Have you seen the statistics for the rise in gun and knife related killings recently?  Help the Police with whatever thay want!  If we don't help these guys then we'll be walking the slippery road to military rule - honestly, how much worse does it need to get before the government act?  Let's try to clean up our own **** and use the Police to help, no matter how trivial things seem at the time.

Answer 12

If they detained you for a reason and find that you are not what they are looking for, tehn you have every right to tell them unless you are being detained then you are leaving, have a nice day and bye!

Answer 13

Technically, you could have just left, but in the real world, the police would have become suspicious and most likely arrested you, if you just left. It depends on how you handled it before making your way.

Answer 14

You were on a vehicle (yes, a bike counts) on the highway, and were thus obliged to stop when asked to do so by a policeman.  The "lecture" was probably to give them a chance to check your general demeanour - maybe with a view to stolen bikes. If it wasn't you riding your bike, you might have been grateful that someone else had been stopped while riding it. Or there may be some problem in your area which they know about and you don't, like drugs being delivered by cyclists.

Answer 15

After they decide you don't have any information to help whatever they are investigating, just explain you are late for something and ask if you can leave.  You ARE legally required to stop when instructed by the officer.  You are not required to talk to them, but refusing could appear suspicious.

Answer 16

always pay respect when needed. In this case you need to pay the officers respect. It's a fact of their positions.

I think it's important to just politely answer their questions, and excuse yourself from the conversation. Tell them you are busy, etc.

Never go out of your way to s***w over someone that you might need some time in the near future. Never set yourself up for disaster. It's never wise.