TAMIR RICE
SAFETY
HANDBOOK
Being stopped by police is a stressful
experience that can go bad quickly. In
any situation you can only control one
thing—your own actions. Even when you do
everything right, things can still go wrong.
These tips can help you protect yourself.
Know that police can lie and ask trick
questions. If they tell you they already
talked to your friend, or that you won’t be
arrested if you talk, they may be lying.

 1. IF YOU’RE STOPPED BY THE POLICE
ON THE STREET OR AT SCHOOL
• Stay calm. Don’t run. Don’t
argue or resist. Keep your hands
where police can see them.
• Ask if you’re free to leave. If the
answer is yes, calmly and silently walk
away from the officer.
• If the officer puts their hands on you,
don’t resist.
• You have the right to remain silent.
That means you do not have to answer
the officer’s questions. If you do, anything
you say could get you in trouble later.

IN YOUR CAR
• Stop the car in a safe place as quickly
as possible. Turn off the car, turn on the
internal light, open the window part way,
and place your hands on the wheel.
• When asked, show police your
driver’s license, registration, and
proof of insurance.
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 • You can ask the officer if you can call
your parent. If they say yes, ask the
officer if you can take out your cell phone.
Do not reach for it until they say yes.
• If an officer asks to look inside your
car you can refuse. But if police believe
your car contains evidence of a crime,
they can search it without your consent.
• Both drivers and passengers have
the right to remain silent. If you’re a
passenger, you can ask if you’re free to
leave. If yes, silently leave.
• If the officer issues you a ticket, you
must sign it. Otherwise, do not sign
anything.

2. IF POLICE ASK YOU QUESTIONS

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• If police ask you to identify
yourself, you must provide
your name, date of birth,
and address. If you are driving a car,
you must show your driver’s license,
registration, and insurance.

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 • Besides telling police this
information, you do not have to
answer other questions. Tell the
officer you want to have a lawyer or
parent/guardian (or both) with you before
you answer questions.
• You also have the right to refuse to
write or sign a statement. But if you do
give a statement, anything you say, write,
or sign can be used against you.

3. IF POLICE WANT TO SEARCH YOU
• You can ask the officer if
you can call your parent. If
they say yes, ask the officer if
you can take out your cell phone.
Do not reach for it until they say yes.
• You can refuse to give your consent
(agree) to be searched by the police.
State calmly and clearly that you do not
consent (agree). This may not stop the
search, but this is the best way to protect
your rights if you end up in court.
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 • However, police may pat down
your clothing if they suspect a
weapon.
• Don’t consent to a phone search;
police need a warrant to search your
phone.
• If the officer begins searching you or
your belongings (even if you refused
consent), do not resist. Calmly say you
do not consent.

4. IF POLICE BEGIN TO ARREST YOU
• Stay calm. Do not resist,
even if you feel you did nothing
wrong.
• Do not fight or flee from an
officer who is arresting you, because
that could lead to the officer hurting you
or pressing charges against you.
• Say you wish to remain silent and
ask for a lawyer immediately.
• Before police question you, you have
the right to have your parent

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 and/or a lawyer with you. If you
request your parent and/or a lawyer, the
officer must stop questioning you until
your parent and/or the lawyer arrives. If
the officer continues to ask questions, you
must continue to remain silent and ask
for a parent/lawyer.

IF POLICE COME TO YOUR HOME
• You do not have to let police into your
home unless they have a warrant that is
signed by a judge. (An arrest warrant is a
paper that allows police to enter the home
of the person listed on the warrant if they
believe the person is inside.)
• If police say they have a warrant, ask
them to show you the warrant.
• Officers can only search the areas and for
the items listed on the warrant.
• Even if officers have a warrant, you may
remain silent. If you choose to speak, step
outside and close the door. Anything you
say can be used against you.
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 SROs: Remember, you should still be very

careful when talking with School Resource
Officers (SROs). Even though SROs have
a different name, sometimes they share
information with the police or even have all
the same powers as police do.

CAN TEACHERS SEARCH MY STUFF?
Phone or backpack? Yes, but only under
certain circumstances: if the school believes
you are violating a law or school rule.
Lockers? Yes, almost always, since lockers
are usually considered school property.

FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS: If the police

want to question your child–even if the child
has been arrested–your family has the right
to get help from a lawyer before you talk to
police. If your family cannot afford a lawyer,
the court will get you one for free.
To find a lawyer, you can contact your local
bar association to find out if they offer a
lawyer referral service. Don’t say anything,
sign anything, or make any decisions
without a lawyer present.

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 In loving memory of Tamir Rice

Tajai Rice, 2016
This information is not intended as legal advice.
Follow us on Instagram @ACLUOH

Updated 11/2019
www.acluohio.org