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You should:                                    

• Be treated fairly and with respect.
• Be issued with a reference number for this stop & search (so you can get a copy of the record from the police station).
• Be told WHY you are being stopped & searched (grounds/ law being used).
• Be told that body worn video is recording you (a red light will show on the officer’s camera).

Officers responsibilities
• To treat you with politeness, fairness, respect and to be professional.
• To tell you the following information:
– The reason for this stop & search.
– The legislation used to carry out this stop & search.
– Their name OR number and station.
– What they are looking for during this stop & search.
• They will also:
– Try and answer your questions about this stop & search.
– Ensure as much as possible, that you understand what is happening.

Additional advice
Stay calm (this can help you to understand and communicate better).
If you resist or are obstructive, reasonable force may be used to complete this search (the officer should always seek co-operation first).
You must wait to be searched or reasonable force may be used to complete this search.
A search should normally be carried out by an officer of the same gender as you.
Being stopped & searched does NOT mean that you are under arrest.

If you are stopped in a public place, you only have to take off your coat or jacket, hat and gloves, unless the officer believes you are using clothes to hide your identity.
If you have been stopped in relation to terrorism, you can be asked to remove footwear.
You may film police officers going about their duty, but please do so in a responsible manner and be mindful not to obstruct the officer in that duty, as by doing so you may commit a criminal offence.