Frequently Asked
Questions
Police interact with the
public for many different reasons.
Sometimes they believe that a person needs
help, or they may simply want to warn
someone about a potentially dangerous
situation. They may, for example, think a
person has committed – or has information
about – a crime. Remember that each
situation is unique, and police officers
must alter their response to fit the
circumstances. The following provides the
public with some very basic information for
interacting with the police during the most
common types of encounters.
When Can An Officer
Stop Someone?
Under Texas State law, police officers have
the right to stop and question someone if
they have reason to suspect that a person
has committed, are committing, or about to
commit a crime. Police officers may, for
example, stop a car if the driver has
committed a traffic violation or if the
person’s car matches the description of a
vehicle used in the commission of an
offense. There are also many circumstances
when the police can stop and ask you general
questions, such as your name, address, phone
number, and place of employment.
If police officers reasonably
suspect that someone is carrying a weapon,
for officer safety, they have the right to
pat down that person’s clothing. Police
officers are not permitted to use race,
religion, or ethnicity as the only reason
for taking police action.
What Should A Police
Officer Do When He Or She Stops Someone?
-
Inform the person why he
or she is being stopped
-
Give the person his or
her name and badge number, upon request
-
Be courteous and
respectful
If the person is arrested,
the police are entitled to ask the person’s
name, address, date of birth, and other
identifying information.
When Interacting With the Police..
Don’t
physically resist arrest, even if they think
the police are wrong.
If You Are Stopped In
A Car...
If asked, the
driver must show his or her driver’s
license and proof of insurance.
If asked, the driver and
passengers must get out of the car.
When Being Stopped By
An Unmarked Police Vehicle…
Drive at a
legal speed, obeying traffic laws, and stop
in the first well-lighted or populated area
that you come to, like a convenience store
or any other business that is open. The
officer in an unmarked car will anticipate
this and understand what you are doing. If
the officer is not in full uniform (he or
she might be a detective), the officer will
present a badge. If the officer is not in
uniform and you reasonably suspect the
person is not an officer, ask for their
police identification card, ask them to call
a uniformed officer in a marked police car
to come to the scene, or call 911 on your
cell phone to verify the identify of the
officer who is not in uniform. Texas Law
requires police identification cards to have
a telephone number displayed on it that a
person can call to verify the holder’s
legitimacy. Amarillo Police Department
identification cards will display the
contact number 378-3038.
If You Are Arrested
By The Police …
The person
has the right to remain silent. If the
person decides to speak with the police,
anything the person says can be used in a
court of law. The person has the right to
talk to a lawyer before he or she answers
any questions. The police are entitled to
ask the person’s name, address, date of
birth, and other identifying information.
If The Police Want To
Search A Person’s Home, Business Or Vehicle
…
A search
warrant is a legal document signed by a
judge that authorizes the police to enter a
particular home, business or vehicle to
search for specific evidence as part of a
criminal investigation. Generally, the
police must have a search warrant to conduct
a search. However, there are many
exceptions (for example, when an emergency
exists, when a person is searched when he or
she is arrested, or when a person gives his
or her permission to search). When serving
a search warrant, the police must announce
that they have a search warrant and are
there to search, unless the search warrant
specifically authorizes entry without
notice. It is unlawful to resist a search.
If You Are A Crime
Victim Or Witness …
In case of an
emergency, you can dial 911 from any
telephone in Amarillo to get assistance from
the police. To make complaints about loud
music, disorderly youths, graffiti, or other
quality of life complaints, you can call the
non-emergency telephone number 378-3038.
You can also make complaints in person at
the Amarillo Police Department or by using
the online crime reporting system at
www.amarillopolice.org.
You are
strongly encouraged to cooperate with all
police inquiries.
To Report A Positive
Experience With A Police Officer…
Contact the officer’s
supervisor at 378-3038, or report the
experience to the Crime Prevention
Unit at 378-4257, or Email to:
APDCrimePrev@amarillo.gov
How Do You Make A
Complaint Against A Police Officer?
Contact any
supervisor of the Amarillo Police Department
at 378-3038, or Internal Affairs, 8am to
5pm, weekdays
at 378-4200.
When Filing A
Complaint …
Be sure to
include as much information as possible,
including:
-
The specific conduct that
you are complaining about
-
The date or day of week,
approximate time, and place the
encounter took place
-
Officer’s name
-
Police car unit number
-
Description of the
Officer
-
Names of other witnesses
