Can police ask for your identity?

Pursuant to section 11(1), a police officer may require a person to disclose their identity if it is suspected on reasonable grounds that the person may be able to assist in the investigation of an alleged indictable (serious) offence, because they were in the vicinity of the alleged incident.

Is failure to identify against the law?

Failure by the person stopped to respond is a violation of the law and can lead to arrest and criminal charges. Some states do not have stop-and-identify statutes. However, if a person does voluntarily elect to answer, providing false information is usually a crime.

Is swearing at police illegal in UK?

There is no specific offence of swearing at a police officer, and in fact it is not a specific crime of swearing in public, only of causing “harassment alarm or distress” under the Act mentioned above. This requires some evidence of an individual being, or being likely to be, offended by the language used.

Can a police officer hide their identity?

In most cases, a police officer hiding their identity should be a fruitless endeavor because the distinctive uniform and badge of a police officer should dispel any doubt. However, there are also many circumstances in which a cop is not dressed like one.

Do police officers have to identify themselves in plainclothes?

No, if a police officer is in plainclothes they only have to identify themselves when using their police powers but other than that they are not required to identify themselves and are allowed to lie about their identities.

Is it legal for law enforcement officers to identify themselves?

Separate from the question of federal law, several states have adopted laws and regulations requiring law enforcement to identify themselves.

Can a police officer refuse to identify himself by badge number?

Consistent with longstanding practice in New York City, the officer refused to identify himself by anything but his badge number. Inconsistent with longstanding practice in New York City, trial judge Dorothy Cropper barred the officer’s testimony.