•  You have the right to remain silent.

•  You have the right to be told if you are under arrest and the reason for it.

•  You have the right to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible after being arrested.

•  You have the right to have a support person with you if you are under 18 and being searched by police.

•  You have the right to be strip searched in private, as quickly as possible and by someone of the same sex as you.

Maintain your right to silence:

•  Police can request your name and address.

•  You have the right to remain silent to any other questions.

•  Ask police if you are under arrest or are you free to leave. 

The police need to say the following when they arrest someone:

•  Their name, rank and station;

•  That you are under arrest;

•  Why you are under arrest.

If police want to search you:

•  Don’t consent. 

•  Politely ask Police why searching you is necessary. 

•  Request police make a note that you ‘do not consent to this search’.

Remain calm and don’t carry on.

•  It is important to remain calm and cooperative when interacting with Police as you don’t want to fail the ‘attitude test’ and be charged with additional offences:

•  Remember police are only doing their job

•  If police stop you and speak with you - ask the police if you are under arrest or are you free to leave.

If you are under arrest – you are only required to provide your name and address:

•  Anything you say or do may be used against you in court.

•  If police ask you questions the easiest thing to say is “no comment”.

•  You cannot be punished for remaining silent. 

If Police intend to search you:

•  Ask – what grounds do you have to search me? 

•  Ask – why is the search necessary?

•  Say – I do not consent but I will comply.

Police must suspect on reasonable grounds that you are in the possession of: 

•  Prohibited drugs.

•  Something stolen or illegal;

•  Something that has been used or is to be used in relation to an offence.

A positive indication from a sniffer dog is not sufficient by itself to form a reasonable suspicion.

There are two types of searches:

•  General search or ‘frisk’ search 

•  Strip search

Police can search anything in your possession however they cannot make you unlock your phone if its password protected.

A police officer may carry out a strip search if the search is necessary and the that the situation is serious and urgent enough for the strip search to take place

If Police intend to search you

• Ask – what grounds do you have to search me?

• Ask – why is the search necessary?

• Say – I do not consent but I will comply 

•  Tell you the reason for the search 

•  Tell you if you will be required to remove clothes 

•  Complete the search in a private area and as quickly as possible 

•  Ensure the officer is of the same sex as you and not conduct the search in front of anyone of an opposite sex

•  Only conduct the search in the presence or view of any officer who is required to be there 

•  Allow you to get dressed as soon as possible

•  Touch your body

•  Search any cavity except your mouth

•  Ask you questions while you are being strip searched

•  Request you squat and cough

•  Make you unlock your phone if it is password protected