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Edited by Ben Rubenstein, Andy Zhang, KnowItSome, Sondra C and 73 others

Whether or not you have done something wrong, there is no reason to be shot by police officers -- that is, unless you give them a reason or they decide they don't need one. Here are some ways to avoid personal harm in situations with a police officer who has a gun drawn. A lot of this advice involves common sense, but when there's a gun pointing at you, it's easy to panic and accidentally do something that could be misinterpreted as threatening.

Edit Steps

  1. 1
    Never flee from police. If the police approach you and speak to you, do not run or even walk away. Regardless of your rights, doing this arouses suspicion and greatly increases the chance of a fatal misunderstanding. If you are innocent, you have nothing to gain by fleeing. The law does not require you to volunteer information to the police. Doing so without an attorney present could conceivably cause you problems. The idea is to be cooperative enough that you don't arouse unjustified suspicions. Remember, however, that even if you are guilty of a crime, fleeing will only make things worse.

  2. 2
    Avoid any sudden movements. No matter what you're doing when contacted by the police, stop and remain still. At this point, any movement you make that is unexpected is one step closer to getting shot, especially any movements you make with your hands.

  3. 3
    Do what you're told, and do it slowly. The officer will tell you exactly what he or she wants you to do. That typically includes putting your hands on the back of your head, walking backwards toward the sound of their voice, or lying down on the ground. Obey their orders, but do it at a slow enough pace that you don't alarm them.

  4. 4
    Do not talk. At this point, you've either already broken the law and don't need to make it worse on yourself, or you are the victim of a misunderstanding and need to cooperate to prevent an unfortunate accident. Chances are good that if the officer has drawn his or her weapon, you will almost certainly be arrested, and there is not much you can say to stop that from happening. There will be plenty of time to talk once you are in cuffs and no longer considered a threat.

    • An exception to this may be if the officer tells you to do something that involves moving. It's good to tell him what you are doing, even if it seems obvious. It will keep them feeling safe and less likely to use a weapon. For example:

      • Officer: "Let me see your I.D." You: "It's in my glove box/back seat/stocking/etc. I'm going to reach down/over and get it for you, OK?" Then move slowly.
      • Officer: "Lie down on the ground!" You: "I'm going to lie down on the ground, but I have a bad hip/back/knee, so I need to hold on to this pole/fence/wall to get on the ground."
    • It is almost always in your best interest to remain silent. In most countries, you do not have to answer any questions unless you have a lawyer present. If you are in a foreign country and are not sure of your rights, it is best to answer questions politely and give only the barest details. If you do not speak the local language fluently, however, do not attempt to defend yourself verbally; you may accidentally say something that, when translated, incriminates you in some way.
  5. 5
    Let yourself be handcuffed. While that may be uncomfortable, struggling against the cuffs or trying to resist in any way is only going to result in further trouble. In many places, it is police protocol to place handcuffs on even the most cooperative of suspects.If you have an injury (such as a stiff or "frozen" shoulder or a recently broken shoulder), let the officer know before he or she tries to cuff you and ask politely if your hands can be cuffed in another way rather than behind your back.

Edit Tips

  • Show the officer your open hands. This will reduce his/her fear that you have a concealed weapon, possibly in your waistband (which is where you would reach to get your ID, too).
  • Don't brandish a weapon. If you have a gun or knife in your pocket or waistband, leave it there and tell the officer about it. Don't draw it, even to surrender it, until the officer tells you to do so. S/he would much rather find it on his or her own than have you whip it out and wave it around. If you want to take the initiative in surrendering your weapon, clearly speak words to the effect of "I would like to turn over my weapon," and the officer will tell you what to do next. For example, if you are legally armed with a concealed weapon and are stopped by the police, hand the officer your gun permit along with the other required documents, but make no sudden move toward it. Instead, explain where it is located. The officer will either tell you to slowly place it on the vehicle roof so s/he can check the serial number or tell you to leave it where it is and to keep your hands where they are.
  • If you are involved in an altercation when the police arrive, try to disengage from the other party immediately. If at all possible, don't try to render first aid until the police allow it. Also, don't touch or remove anything that might be deemed evidence.
  • Don't say anything that you don't have to. Know your rights as well. Don't draw attention with loud music either.

Edit Warnings

  • Fake weapons or air-guns can be mistaken for the real thing. If contacted by the police while you possess such an object, follow the advice above as if it were a real weapon; a police officer will certainly consider it to be real until proved otherwise.
  • Never shine a laser pointer toward officers. This could very easily be mistaken for a laser sight, a modification commonly affixed to firearms to enhance their accuracy.
  • Do not attempt to take the officer's gun or badge away. This is considered theft of police equipment and could get you arrested or even killed.
  • Do not attempt to fight off a police officer. Assaulting him/or her will most certainly get you placed in jail.
  • Never brandish a weapon (gun, knife, blunt object) in front of a police officer, especially in a provocative or menacing way.
  • Do not run from a police officer; doing so is considered resisting arrest and may cause the officer to fire at you. (It is illegal in the United States for a police officer to use fatal force against a fleeing suspect unless the officer believes the suspect is armed and poses an immediate threat to the officer or the community.)
  • If you are carrying a firearm with you, take care not to point it at a police officer. Doing so could make the officer shoot you.
  • Avoid the urge to make jokes or use sarcasm, even if it's intended to be good-natured. Remember that the officer is there to investigate a serious situation.
  • Avoid threatening officers or describing what your friends or family might do in retaliation for their actions. This will only make things worse for you.
  • If a police officer tries to talk to you, do not use profanity; doing so could make him angry and give him reason to place you under arrest.

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Categories: Featured Articles | Dealing with Police Officers | Self Defense

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