r/Glasgow Tools

For some reason this post won’t allow me to copy the full text here so it’s continued in the comments!

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Hi everyone ☺️

I commented on a post yesterday to do with Police Scotland dragging a disabled lady out of bed and bashing in the door of the wrong property and got so many messages from people who had been on the wrong end of them.

I couldn’t believe some of the stories people were messaging me (especially about racial profiling) and it made me angry they continue to use the power of the high vis and the stupid hat to take advantage of — at times — vulnerable people.

(I’m sure there are a few decent ones who went in to the profession for the right reasons, but in my experience they are corrupt, stinky, unregulated and desensitised pr*cks who will morally and ethically manipulate situations even when they know somebody is innocent.

I didn’t see a post like this so I thought as a Law Student and somebody who has successfully sued the Police I would write something here in the eventuality you do end up a victim of the Law. Feel free to add to it if I’ve forgotten anything but there’s certain things (such as No Comment) I feel everyone should be made aware of.

IF YOU’RE ASKED TO SPEAK TO THEM:

1. First of all, you may think you’re a witness but they may treat you as a suspect. I cannot stress this enough that the only questions you NEED to answer are your name, date of birth, address and nationality. That’s it.
2. Do not trust them.
3. If they break entry to your house the single best way to defend yourself is to get your camera phone out and start recording. iPhones are good as if you press the buttons on the right and left side simultaneously the phone will lock and you’ll need your passcode to unlock not just Face ID. They behave a little bit better when they know they’re being recorded.
4. LEGALLY NOBODY CAN INSIST ON YOU UNLOCKING YOUR PHONE and the PF rarely issue warrants for personal technology unless in the case of very serious crime.
5. IF you’re getting taken to a Police station and have the option to leave your phone in your house do it. You don’t want them attempting to go through it in the station, or any of your belongings — so if possible I would just take your keys and money to get home.
6. They hate when you film them but often it’s the only way to ensure they don’t abuse their power. They’ll ask you why you’re filming. You don’t need to answer. They work for us and seeing as they usually work in pairs to back one another up, you can pair up with your phone. And if you ever see them abusing their power publicly or hurting somebody, film it.
7. “NO COMMENT” is your best friend. You are not obligated to answer any questions other than name/dob/address/nationality. You do not look guilty saying No Comment. You’re exercising your rights. They will often ask you lead questions to lure you in to a false sense of security. They’ll be nice to you but remember it’s their job to arrest people much in the same way it’s the job of a salesperson to sell you something. Stay calm. You might get asked 100 questions. Say No Comment 100 times.
8. A criminal lawyer would rather represent you in court with a clean slate “no comment” than have to explain dumb things said during a police interview.
9. Often the Police will have one piece of evidence that may link you to a crime and they are relying on you corroborating that evidence by admitting you were at the crime scene. Say No Comment.
10. You may be asked if you want a duty solicitor. Sometimes you’ll get lucky and end up with one of the best solicitors in Glasgow because they want to stay on the SLAB register. I don’t want to throw shade towards the legal profession but if they’re clocking