Difference between revisions of "Talking to the Police"

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===Police at your house===
===Police at your house===
Police officers can knock at your door and ask to come in. The police officers can come into a house if they:
*have a warrant,
*think that someone they are looking for is in your house,
*suspect there  is  a  serious  crime happening in the house, or
*are invited in.


===What if you see a crime happening===
===What if you see a crime happening===
If you see a crime happening call the police right away. Wait for the police officers to come.  The police will come and want to talk to witnesses.
Witnesses are very important to Canadian law. If a witness doesn’t talk to the police, the police may not be able to arrest the criminal. The criminal might go free, and there would be more crime. If people see a crime happening, it is their duty to talk to the police.


===What if a crime happens to you===
===What if a crime happens to you===
The following story will help you understand what to do if a crime happens to you.
A man robbed Ying Yee’s store last night. He came in with a gun and took all her money. After the robber left, Ying Yee phoned the police. Two police officers came to the store. They asked for her name, address, and phone number. They asked what had happened. Then they asked her to write down everything that the robber said and did. It was difficult for her to write this in English, so she wrote it in Chinese. The police got it translated later.
:The police arrested a man. The police thought he was the man who robbed Ying Yee’s store. But the man said he did not do it. The police did not see him rob the store. Only Ying Yee saw the man who robbed the store. The police asked her to come to the police station. At the police station, she looked at pictures of some men. All the men looked similar, but one was the man who robbed her. She was sure. She told the police that he was the robber.


===A witness in court===
===A witness in court===

Revision as of 16:14, 21 March 2014


In the Talking to the Police Fact Sheet: What happens when a crime is committed from People's Law School you will learn about:

  • criminal law and the role of the police,
  • reporting a crime and being a witness in court,
  • being arrested, and going to court.


Contents[edit]

What is criminal Law[edit]

Criminal laws make it illegal for someone to hurt or steal from other people. People who are accused of breaking the criminal law are taken to court by the government.

Role of Police in Canada[edit]

A police officer’s duty is to protect the people in the community. In Canada, the police have to obey the law. If you believe a police officer is not obeying the rules of their role you can make a complaint.

To make a complaint about the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) call 1.800.665.6878 or visit www.cpc-cpp.gc.ca. To make a complaint about police in B.C., contact the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner at https://www.opcc.bc.ca/complainant/how_to_file_a_complaint.html.

What to do if the police stop your car[edit]

The police may stop you for many reasons. For example you may have been driving too fast, talking on your phone or not wearing a seat belt. If a police car is behind or beside you with their lights flashing they may want to talk to you. Pull your car over to the right side of the road and stop.

If you are stopped the police officer will ask you several questions including:

  • what is your name and address,
  • whose car it is, and
  • will ask for your driver’s licence and vehicle insurance papers.

Never offer the police money. It is a serious crime to bribe a police officer.

Police at your house[edit]

Police officers can knock at your door and ask to come in. The police officers can come into a house if they:

  • have a warrant,
  • think that someone they are looking for is in your house,
  • suspect there is a serious crime happening in the house, or
  • are invited in.

What if you see a crime happening[edit]

If you see a crime happening call the police right away. Wait for the police officers to come. The police will come and want to talk to witnesses.

Witnesses are very important to Canadian law. If a witness doesn’t talk to the police, the police may not be able to arrest the criminal. The criminal might go free, and there would be more crime. If people see a crime happening, it is their duty to talk to the police.

What if a crime happens to you[edit]

The following story will help you understand what to do if a crime happens to you.

A man robbed Ying Yee’s store last night. He came in with a gun and took all her money. After the robber left, Ying Yee phoned the police. Two police officers came to the store. They asked for her name, address, and phone number. They asked what had happened. Then they asked her to write down everything that the robber said and did. It was difficult for her to write this in English, so she wrote it in Chinese. The police got it translated later.

The police arrested a man. The police thought he was the man who robbed Ying Yee’s store. But the man said he did not do it. The police did not see him rob the store. Only Ying Yee saw the man who robbed the store. The police asked her to come to the police station. At the police station, she looked at pictures of some men. All the men looked similar, but one was the man who robbed her. She was sure. She told the police that he was the robber.

A witness in court[edit]

Innocent until proven guilty[edit]

[Arrest[edit]

Going to court[edit]

Help for victims and witnesses[edit]

About this fact sheet[edit]

About People's Law School[edit]

The People's Law School is a non-profit charitable society whose purpose is to provide British Columbians with reliable information about their rights and responsibilities under the law.

Peopleslawschoollogo.png
Suite 150 - 900 Howe Street
Vancouver, BC
V6Z 2M4
Tel: 604-331-5400
Fax: 604-331-5401
Email: info@publiclegaled.bc.ca

This fact sheet and other publications are available on the People's Law School website: www.publiclegaled.bc.ca