Talking to the Police

In the Talking to the Police Fact Sheet: What happens when a crime is committed from People's Law School you will learn about:

• criminal law and the role of the police,
• reporting a crime and being a witness in court,
• being arrested, and going to court.

Contents

What is criminal Law

Criminal laws make it illegal for someone to hurt or steal from other people. People who are accused of breaking the criminal law are taken to court by the government.

Role of Police in Canada

A police officer’s duty is to protect the people in the community. In Canada, the police have to obey the law. If you believe a police officer is not obeying the rules of their role you can make a complaint.

To make a complaint about the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) call 1.800.665.6878 or visit www.cpc-cpp.gc.ca. To make a complaint about police in B.C., contact the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner at https://www.opcc.bc.ca/complainant/how_to_file_a_complaint.html.

What to do if the police stop your car

The police may stop you for many reasons. For example you may have been driving too fast, talking on your phone or not wearing a seat belt. If a police car is behind or beside you with their lights flashing they may want to talk to you. Pull your car over to the right side of the road and stop.

If you are stopped the police officer will ask you several questions including:

• what is your name and address,
• whose car it is, and
• will ask for your driver’s licence and vehicle insurance papers.

Never offer the police money. It is a serious crime to bribe a police officer.

About this fact sheet

• Acknowledgements & credits

• Learn more about Clicklaw Wikibooks or visit other wikibooks from People's Law School

About People's Law School

The People's Law School is a non-profit charitable society whose purpose is to provide British Columbians with reliable information about their rights and responsibilities under the law.

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This fact sheet and other publications are available on the People's Law School website: www.publiclegaled.bc.ca

The testing of the claims in a court proceeding at a formal hearing before a judge with the jurisdiction to hear the proceeding. The parties present their evidence and arguments to the judge, who then makes a decision resolving the parties' claims against one another that is final and binding on the parties unless successfully appealed. See "action," "appeal," "argument," "claim," "evidence" and "jurisdiction."

In law, the re-examination of a term of an order or agreement, usually to determine whether the term remains fair and appropriate in light of the circumstances prevailing at the time of the review. In family law, particularly the review of an order or agreement provided for the payment of spousal support. See "de novo," "family law agreements," "order" and "spousal support."

A person with direct, personal knowledge of facts and events relevant to the issues before the court; a person giving oral evidence in court on oath or affirmation as to the truth of the evidence given. See "affirm," "evidence," "oath" and "opinion evidence."

Under the Family Law Act, a term that describes the time a person who is not a guardian of a child, including a parent who is not a guardian, has with that child. Under the Divorce Act, a term that describes the time a person who is not a married spouse has with a child. See "guardian" and "parental responsibilities."