Police Powers

[Barquentine]

If you decide not to co-operate with the police if they dare to harass you going about what you regard as your lawful business, do they have any legal power to demand your name and address? Also, can I demand to know their names or do they only need to provide their PC number?

[dannyk13]

It would depend on whether the officer thought that you were committing an offence.

[retrocop]

They were,in my day, only obliged to provide their shoulder number and Police Station/Department to which they were attached.
If a police officer may suspect an offence has been committed he would ask the suspect for their name/address and proof of those details.If refused or it is believed the details are false or cannot be verified then arrest can ensue. The power comes under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act known as PACE. I am rather rusty on these matters. I have been retired nearly 25 years and PACE had not long arrived on the statute book.

[Peter Pedant]

// They were,in my day, only obliged to provide their shoulder number and Police Station/Department to which they were attached//
yes agreed

// If a police officer may suspect an offence has been committed he would ask the suspect for their name/address and proof of those details// yes - so no stop and search - but lots and lots of exceptions- metro area and designated area spring to mind

and suspect is very low - an offence certainl DOESN;T have to have been committed - and a suspicion is anything 'not fanciful'

so yes you can but they usually have a reason

fr'instance before I became ill ( cancer ) I used to road run wivva dog off the road, and one singlet was very long and one boxer shorts was very short
so some helpful house holder rang the police saying there was a bottomless runner only in a singlet .....[ wivva darg for chrissakes]
I would deffo say that was reasonable ....

[retrocop]

Could I ask.? Did the officer in this incident inform you of the offence that was thought to of been committed or the reason why he required your details? You have not stated what you were doing other than going about your lawful business. What was the police opinion at the time you describe?

[Peter Pedant]

oh and when there is a suicide and someone gets arrested for suspicion of mairder
there is a dead body for chrissakes - no one is gonna say that is unreasonable - unless you are 500 mi away
have you been following Pres Trump latest tweets?

[Peter Pedant]

oops thanks retro
they have to say if you ask
but they dont have to say otherwise ( I think )

[barry1010]

retrocop, shows how time flies - PACE is 36 years old.

[retrocop]

PP
Again,in my day, if a hands on arrest was made the suspect must be informed at the time, if practicable, the reason for their arrest and a Judges Rule caution thrown in for good measure.
If your suspect was struggling,kicking and trying to throttle you whilst rolling on the ground you were allowed to tell him why he was arrested at the Charge room,if you were lucky enough to get back- up and get him to the station.
Incidentally. It was legally held by a learned judge that 'You're nicked for Going Equipped to Steal. Now shut the **** up' is a sufficient Judges Rule 11 Caution and was accepted by the court.

[retrocop]

Avatar Image barry1010
//retrocop, shows how time flies - PACE is 36 years old. //
Crikey. You are correct. I have been drawing my pension longer than my service. :-)

[dannyk13]

Retro @1044 Happy memories.

[dannyk13]

Retro //Crikey. You are correct. I have been drawing my pension longer than my service. :-)//
Been retired nearly twice as long as service.As you say time flies.

[retrocop]

Happy memories indeed,Danny. I would never contemplate going back ,as it is today ,and I would now discourage my sons. Never thought I would think that. :-(

[naomi24]

//If you decide not to co-operate with the police if they dare to harass you going about what you regard as your lawful business//

If you were going about your lawful business why wouldn't you co-operate with the police?

[CrapAtCryptics]

My favourite testimony from a Police Oficer was:-
Judge: The defendant states that you hit him during the course of his arrest.
Officer: Well I thought it was a good idea as he was trying to stab me.
Judge: How did you hit him?
Officer: As hard as I possibly could Your Honour
Judge:Thank You.

[ubasses]

Makes me feel like a spring chicken, only been retired 50% of my working life. :-)

[New Judge]

So what were the circumstances, then?

[retrocop]

Nj
I hope we haven't scared Barquentine off. :-)

[aelmpvw]

many people have asked me for my name and address over the years and i've never felt harassed

[piggynose]

When did the police start being called police officers? Is police constable outdated?

[retrocop]

Piggynose


Not all police officers are constables. There are Police Sergeants ,Police Inspectors, Police Station or Police Clerk Sergeants (SPS). Police Officer is a collective term.
The Commissioner of Police in the Metropolitan Police Service has no Police power of arrest . He does not carry a 'warrant card' in order to be able to execute an arrest .( bad turn of phrase. We are not talking America here)
High ranking Officers who sit behind desks carry a 'silver token' as a badge of their authority. (Free Gratis and for nothing woz that)