Talking to the police.

The police are key players in the criminal justice system. "To prevent crime and to make sure that there is order in the community, police officers are given special powers to search, arrest and detain any individual who is committing, has committed or who is believed to have committed a criminal offence. However, these powers are limited by certain basic rights guaranteed to all Canadians in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms." (Criminal Law and Procedure, CLEA)

There are quite a range of plain language materials available to help citizens understand their rights and responsibilities in relating to the police. Since both the Criminal Code and the Charter are federal laws, this information applies across the country, although many publications also include lists of local resources.

Resources for Adults

A good general overview of this topic is covered by the Canadian Civil Liberties Association in their 12-page booklet "Know Your Rights: A Citizen's Guide to Rights When Dealing With Police". It covers the questions:

* What if I am stopped by the police?

* What if I am stopped by the police while driving?

* When can the police search me?

* What are my rights if I am arrested?

* What if the police come to my home?

* How do I make a complaint about the police?" (This section provides resources for every province as well as a national resource for the RCMP.)

From Community Legal Education Ontario comes a similar publication, "Police Powers: Stops and Searches", which is also available in French, Spanish, Urdu, Arabic and American Sign Language (video). In "Arrest", the Public Legal Education Association in Saskatchewan explains that whether or not the police can question you depends on the situation. The Public Legal Education and Information Service of New Brunswick describes their bilingual booklet "The Law, The Police and You: Your Rights When Questioned, Detained or Arrested / La loi, la police et vous: vos droits pendant un interrogatoire, une detention ou une arrestation" in this way:

The purpose of this booklet is to provide a general outline of your rights and responsibilities when you come into contact with the police in public. What should you do or say--and, not do or say--when you are questioned or detained by the police? What are your rights if the police arrest you?

Another exploration of questions related to talking to the police comes from the Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia. Their publication "You and the...