How to deal with crooked police?

Can I legally cuss out a cop?

It's generally not illegal to curse at a police officer in the U.S. because of First Amendment protections for free speech, but it can lead to arrest if the language crosses into "fighting words," threats, or disrupts public order, potentially resulting in charges like disorderly conduct or resisting arrest, depending on state laws and the officer's interpretation of the situation. While cursing alone is usually protected, actions like shaking fists, spitting, or making threats can remove that protection and lead to criminal charges. 

Who investigates corrupt police departments?

The California Department of Justice (DOJ) may investigate police misconduct when systemic abuse is suspected or when local agencies lack impartiality. In such cases, the DOJ can initiate or support independent investigations and may pursue civil or criminal enforcement if warranted.

What are the signs of a bad police officer?

Specifically, aggression, having unstable relationships, a lack of empathy, thrill-seeking behavior, and poor impulse control, may contribute to officer misconduct.

What does 12 mean for cops?

"12" is slang for police, originating from the police radio code 10-12 ("visitors present," meaning civilians nearby), which became a shorthand warning, and possibly influenced by the TV show Adam-12, used in hip-hop and urban culture to mean cops are around or to be wary of law enforcement. It's used in contexts ranging from casual conversation to cautionary warnings like "Watch out for the 12" or "Fuck 12".
 

Can you defend yourself against a corrupt cop?

California Penal Code Section 148 makes it illegal to resist, delay, or obstruct a police officer willfully. Although you may believe a police officer is acting unfairly, any physical resistance on your part can result in additional charges.

What does 20 mean in cop terms?

In police radio codes, 20 (often heard as "10-20") primarily means "Location", asking "What's your 20?" for "What's your location?", though specific meanings can vary slightly by agency, sometimes indicating a mental subject or requiring assistance in some lists, but location is the most common interpretation. 

What are the 10 rules for dealing with police?

• Rule 1. Be calm and cool.
• Rule 2. You have the right to remain silent.
• Rule 3. You have the right to refuse searches.
• Rule 4. Don't get tricked.
• Rule 5. Determine if you're free to go.
• Rule 6. Don't expose yourself.
• Rule 7. Don't run.
• Rule 8. Never touch a cop.

What is the Achilles heel approach?

These powers can be used to disrupt serious and organised crime by disturbing their planned activity or exposing other criminal offences such as benefit fraud, trading illicit goods or failure to meet health and safety legislation. This is called the 'Achilles Heel' approach.

Can I legally flip off the police?

Giving the finger is protected under your First Amendment right to freedom of speech, and you can't be arrested for it.

How to deal with a bad cop?

Just keep your cool, and keep your conversation short. And remember: it's within your rights to refuse to answer questions without an attorney present. Convey your understanding of your rights to the officer in an even tone and calm manner—repeatedly, if you have to.

What is the best way to complain about the police?

To file a police complaint, gather specific details (officer name/badge, date, time, location, witnesses, evidence), then use the police department's online form, visit a station in person, call their non-emergency line, or contact a civilian oversight body like the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) (UK) or the US Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division (US) for serious violations, remembering to keep records and potentially seek legal advice for complex cases. 

Is calling a cop a pig illegal?

Calling a police officer a "pig" is generally considered protected speech under the First Amendment, but you can still be arrested if the context creates a "fighting words" situation, incites immediate violence, or if your behavior accompanies other illegal acts like disorderly conduct, creating a hazard, or resisting, making the arrest justified by those other actions, not just the insult itself. While the insult alone usually isn't enough for a conviction, officers have discretion, and state/local laws vary, leading to potential charges like disorderly conduct if actions escalate. 

What is a 1015 in police code?

Police code 10-15 most commonly means "Prisoner in Custody," indicating an officer has successfully detained a suspect, but it can also mean "Message Delivered" or refer to a "Civil Disturbance," depending on the specific department's system, highlighting the need for context with these varied 10-codes.
 

Why do people say 5 0 for cops?

“Five-o” referred to the Hawaiian police force in the show, based on Hawaii being the fiftieth state to join the union. Though inaccurate, as Hawaiian police officers in real life have no such designation, the nickname became popular among fans and is still used to refer to police across the country to this day.

What things do cops not want you to know?

Officers Will Not Tell You What Your Rights Are

These include: The right to remain silent: While you must provide your license, registration, and insurance when requested, the Fifth Amendment protects your right to remain silent beyond these basic identifiers.

Can you legally swear at a police officer?

Yes, you generally can cuss at a cop due to First Amendment protections for criticizing government officials, but it's risky because context matters; if your swearing escalates to threats, incites immediate violence ("fighting words"), or is part of other criminal acts like resisting arrest, you can be arrested for disorderly conduct or similar offenses, making legal advice crucial if charged. 

What personality type are cops usually?

Police officer personality isn't a single type but a blend of traits like high conscientiousness, social responsibility, integrity, and adaptability, with strong logical (Thinking) and practical (Sensing) preferences often noted (MBTI STJ), alongside qualities such as resilience, strong problem-solving, communication, and emotional stability to handle stress, though job demands can also foster cynicism over time.
 

How to expose corrupt police?

If you would like to report a violation of the Police Misconduct Statute, Title VI, or the OJP Program Statute, contact the Justice Department at civilrights.justice.gov.

What is illegal for cops to do?

Police officers are not allowed to use excessive force, conduct illegal searches, plant evidence, racially profile, or violate constitutional rights like freedom from unreasonable seizure, but they can sometimes lie to get a confession, though lying about having evidence is limited by not being likely to induce a false confession. They cannot search your phone's contents without a warrant, but can order you to stop recording, though recording them is generally a First Amendment right. They must have probable cause or a warrant for searches and seizures, cannot demand confessions through threats, and must follow strict rules, especially regarding the use of deadly force.
 

Who holds the police accountable?

Police accountability is held by multiple entities, including federal (DOJ), state, and local governments (like Civilian Review Boards), internal police departments, courts, and community-led oversight groups, using legal action, internal discipline, and policy changes to address misconduct and abuse of power through investigations, prosecutions, and consent decrees.