Give It, Get It: Trust and Respect between Teens and Law Enforcement

GIVE IT, GET IT: TRUST AND RESPECT BETWEEN TEENS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT Lesson goal To provide students with information and guidelines to help ensure safe and appropriate interactions with law enforcement officers.

GIVE IT, GET IT: TRUST AND RESPECT BETWEEN TEENS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT Students will learn: The impact and potential consequences of appropriate vs. inappropriate interactions with law enforcement officers Citizens’ rights and responsibilities when stopped or detained by the police Practical guidelines and strategies to help ensure safe and appropriate interaction with the police

Three types of encounters GIVE IT, GET IT: TRUST AND RESPECT BETWEEN TEENS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT Three types of encounters There are three types of encounters with law enforcement: Conversations Detentions Arrests

Three types of encounters GIVE IT, GET IT: TRUST AND RESPECT BETWEEN TEENS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT Three types of encounters Conversations Can be started by citizen or officer You can usually end the conversation if you want to Once conversation is over, politely say “Officer, am I free to go?”

Three types of encounters, cont. GIVE IT, GET IT: TRUST AND RESPECT BETWEEN TEENS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT Three types of encounters, cont. Detentions Officer detains person to investigate a possible crime or issue a traffic ticket or summons based on reasonable suspicion. For instance: The person fit the description of a suspect An officer saw the person drop a suspicious object after seeing police, or The person ran away after seeing police. Officer may pat down your outer clothing and question you. You are not free to leave until the officer says you may.

Three types of encounters, cont. GIVE IT, GET IT: TRUST AND RESPECT BETWEEN TEENS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT Three types of encounters, cont. Arrests If the officer has probable cause – reason, based on facts, to believe a crime has been committed – the person is taken into police custody and is not free to leave. For officer safety, and to prevent escape and destruction of evidence, officer can search the person and immediate surroundings without a warrant. Person must be advised of their right to remain silent and have an attorney (Miranda rights). The person can’t be released until they appear before a judge or magistrate.

If you are pulled over while driving GIVE IT, GET IT: TRUST AND RESPECT BETWEEN TEENS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT If you are pulled over while driving If you feel unsafe Turn on your hazard lights and interior lights to alert the officer that you recognize his/her request; and Continue driving to the closest well-lit, public area.

If you are pulled over while driving, cont. GIVE IT, GET IT: TRUST AND RESPECT BETWEEN TEENS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT If you are pulled over while driving, cont. If you are not sure the person ordering you to pull over is an officer: Dial 911 to call the dispatch to verify that the person ordering you to pull over is an officer; and Tell the dispatcher that you intend to pull over in a well- lit, public area Ask the dispatcher to please tell the detaining officer.

If you are detained Remember these four strategies: GIVE IT, GET IT: TRUST AND RESPECT BETWEEN TEENS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT If you are detained Remember these four strategies: Give respect / get respect Stay calm Provide accurate information Know your rights and responsibilities

If you are detained, cont. GIVE IT, GET IT: TRUST AND RESPECT BETWEEN TEENS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT If you are detained, cont. 1. Give respect / get respect #1 rule: Show the officer respect If the officer does not respect you or acts unprofessionally, file a report after the incident. Never argue, curse, physically confront, or act in a disrespectful fashion towards the police officer at the scene.

If you are detained, cont. GIVE IT, GET IT: TRUST AND RESPECT BETWEEN TEENS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT If you are detained, cont. 2. Stay calm Plan ahead and have emergency info ready. Keep your hands in plain sight. Follow instructions and let the officer know what you are doing.

If you are detained, cont. GIVE IT, GET IT: TRUST AND RESPECT BETWEEN TEENS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT If you are detained, cont. 3. Provide accurate information Have information ready. Do NOT give false information. Signing a ticket does not mean you admit to guilt; it means that you acknowledge receiving the ticket. If you don’t sign it, you can be arrested.

If you are detained, cont. GIVE IT, GET IT: TRUST AND RESPECT BETWEEN TEENS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT If you are detained, cont. 4. Know your rights and responsibilities Learn the difference between a conversation, a detention and an arrest, and your rights and responsibilities in each situation. If an officer asks to search your vehicle, you have the right to say “no.” But if there is probable cause, the officer can search it anyway. An officer can do a “pat-down” search of outer clothing for his/her safety. If you are arrested, the officer can search you and your vehicle, related to the arrest.

If you are detained, cont. GIVE IT, GET IT: TRUST AND RESPECT BETWEEN TEENS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT If you are detained, cont. 4. Know your rights and responsibilities, cont. It is unlawful for you to try to avoid arrest or obstruct the officer – the best thing you can do is cooperate and contact your parents/a lawyer as soon as possible. If arrested, you can invoke your Fifth Amendment right to remain silent You have the right to have an attorney present if you are taken down to the police precinct or sheriff’s office for questioning. When given permission to make a phone call, notify an adult who can assist you.

If you are detained, cont. GIVE IT, GET IT: TRUST AND RESPECT BETWEEN TEENS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT If you are detained, cont. Always make sure you are being respectful.

Relevant Virginia laws GIVE IT, GET IT: TRUST AND RESPECT BETWEEN TEENS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT Relevant Virginia laws Resisting Arrest Code of Virginia § 18.2-479.1 Any person who intentionally prevents or attempts to prevent a law enforcement officer from lawfully arresting them, with or without warrant, is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. Obstruction of Justice Code of Virginia § 18.2-460 Any person who by threats of bodily harm or force, knowingly attempts to intimidate or impede … any law enforcement officer lawfully engaged in the discharge of their duties can be charged with Obstruction of Justice. (Depending on the facts, the charge may be a Class 1 misdemeanor or a Class 5 felony) Identity Theft Code of Virginia § 18.2-186.3 Any person who uses identification documents or identifying information of another to avoid summons, arrest, prosecution or to impede a criminal investigation can be charged with Identity Theft. (Depending on the facts, the charge may be a Class 1 misdemeanor or a Class 5 or 6 felony)

Relevant Virginia laws, cont. GIVE IT, GET IT: TRUST AND RESPECT BETWEEN TEENS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT Relevant Virginia laws, cont. Providing False Information to Police Code of Virginia § 18.2-460(D) Any person who knowingly and willingly makes any materially false statement or representation to a law enforcement officer who is conducting a criminal investigation is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. Attempt to Elude Code of Virginia § 46.2-817 Any person who fails to bring their vehicle to a stop after having received a visible or audible signal from a law enforcement officer, drives in a willful and wanton disregard of such signal or who attempts to elude a law enforcement officer, whether on foot, in a vehicle or by other means is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. If, however, the operation of the vehicle interferes with or endangers the law enforcement vehicle or endangers any person, the charge is elevated to a Class 6 felony. There is also a mandatory suspension of the person’s driver’s license if they are convicted of this crime.

GIVE IT, GET IT: TRUST AND RESPECT BETWEEN TEENS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT Punishment reference Class 1 misdemeanors Confinement in jail for not more than 12 months and a fine of not more than $2,500, either or both. Class 2 misdemeanors Confinement in jail for not more than six months and a fine of not more than $1,000, either or both. Class 5 felony Confinement in jail from 1 to 10 years, not more than $2,500 fine, either or both. Class 6 felony Confinement in jail from1 to 5 years, not more than a $2,500 fine, either or both.

GIVE IT, GET IT: TRUST AND RESPECT BETWEEN TEENS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT Case study – Michael Michael just got his driver’s license and is on the way to pick up his friend to go the movies. He is in an unfamiliar neighborhood and can’t remember the way to his friend’s house. Not wanting to be late for the movie, Michael decides to text his friend to get directions. Just as he begins texting, a police officer pulls up beside him and motions for him to pull over. “OH NO!” Michael exclaims. He is going to be late for the movie and his parents will probably never let him drive again! Michael reluctantly pulls over to the right and stops his car. The police officer approaches the driver’s side window and asks him for his license and registration.

Review and recap You have learned: GIVE IT, GET IT: TRUST AND RESPECT BETWEEN TEENS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT Review and recap You have learned: Strategies for handling a variety of law enforcement interactions to ensure that law enforcement officers are able to effectively do their job and that your rights are protected. The importance of maintaining your composure, staying respectful, and minimizing the escalation of conflict. Your rights when interacting with law enforcement officers What to do in situations where you feel that your rights have been violated in some way.

GIVE IT, GET IT: TRUST AND RESPECT BETWEEN TEENS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT Acknowledgement Some module content and “What Would You Do?” discussion activity adapted from the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) “Law and Your Community” Program, from their “Interacting with Law Enforcement” curriculum. Used with permission. For more information about NOBLE, visit www.noblenatl.org.