Talking to the police
Over your life time you will encounter the Police for different reasons. It could be you have witnessed a crime, you are reporting a crime or you are being questioned about a crime, this could be a traffic offence. So it is important you know how to deal with these communications and share any hidden disabilities they may need to know about.
Table of Contents
Useful Links
Programme goals
We have identified three key goals for each lifeguide.
Click on each goal for more information.
Get to know your surroundings
A great way to prepare for anything new, is to become familiar with it. This builds your confidence to develop the skill.
What can I do to prepare?
Top tips to help you succeed whatever the situation.
Take deep slow breathes and stay calm
Tell them about any disability or mental health need
If you are arrested the Police must explain why
They will caution you 'This is when police say to you: "You do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defence if you do not mention, when questioned, something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence."
What to do in unexpected events
Handy Tips
Some handy reminders in sequence, to help your confidence flow.
Resources available to you
Spend some time getting to know these helpful websites before completing this skill.
Spend some time getting to know some useful information on some websites to develop your skill. We have selected some key pages that are useful for you, taking you straight to the information that matters.
Mind: Police and Mental Health
Explains what happens if you're arrested and what your rights are if you're taken to a police station.
National Autistic Society: Criminal Justice
Understand your rights and the criminal justice system for Autistic people
Citizens Advice : Legal System
,You might have to go to court as a witness, Preparing to go to court as a witness, What happens after the trial , Get help and support being a witness
Communication
Key phrases to practice and say, talking to new people can be tricky but people really do want to help so get used to asking for key things. Having a lanyard or card that explains your hidden disability can also be useful to show people. Self advocacy is important and remember people with disabilities have a right to equal access to opportunities!
Vocabulary
Looking for helpful resources? Check out our toolkit. You’ll find everything.
AA Appropriate Adult
Appropriate adult (independent individual who provides support to children and vulnerable adults in custody)
Accomplice
A person who knowingly helps another commit a crime.
Adult at Risk
A person aged 18 years or over, ‘who is or may be in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness
Arrest
Taken into poice control
Custody
The state of being legally detained or held by police.
Domestic abuse
argument/trouble in the home(often leads to violence)
Illegal
If something is illegal, it means the law says "you cannot do it" and you could go to prison.
Suspect
A person believed by the police to have committed a crime.
Witness
To see something happen.
Learning Disabilties and the criminal justice system
What happens to people with learning difficulties when taken into the criminal justice system
Questionnaire
Looking for support on-the-go?
Download Our Toolkit
A range of useful printable templates to help you become organised and prepared for each lifeguide.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Still have questions?
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