Introduction
All communists should know how to handle police when they come knocking. Not only do we understand the reasons to be wary of the police (systemic racism, their role as an enforcer of bourgeois rules...), we must be doubly cautious because our activism and ideological leanings put us at risk.
This guide will first give some general pointers to handle police no matter where you live and then delve into the laws of, hopefully, each country in the world.
This guide is also collaborative, please feel free to add something if it's missing. However, please do back up your claims! We must not give out wrong or outdated information that could get comrades in trouble.
How to handle the police
Understanding the police
By the time the police talks to you or even looks at you, they are sizing you up for illegal activity. Remember that their job is to arrest people and interrogate them to get a confession -- it's what they do for 8 or more hours every day. They are generally trained to see threats and are so alienated from their community that they do not see themselves as part of it, but rather as some external wall preventing the total collapse of society.
Therefore, as soon as the police says one word to you, they are out to get you. No matter what they say -- remember the police is allowed to lie to you or say half-truths. It's possible that they are only asking you as a witness. Let's see a possible situation:
**dialogue will go here
Some people -- and the police exploits that -- think that by being uncooperative, they will make themselves look suspicious. That is thankfully not true. First because you cannot be suspicious if you do not say anything, you have not given the police anything to go on. Second because anything that must be said to exonerate yourself will be said in court if it comes to that. The police is generally only allowed to detain you if they charges or suspicions against you (more on that in the country sections). If you do not say anything that could incriminate you, you will not give them reason to detain you.
Your behaviour
When questioned by police in the streets, only give them whichever information you are legally bound to give, and nothing else. You can say "I have nothing to say". Even if they ask how you are today, say "I have nothing to say officer" and leave.
If you are arrested and interrogated at the station, the same rules apply but you must also ask for a lawyer. "I have nothing to say and want to speak to my lawyer". You have to be clear with your language.
As for body language, try to stay calm and collected.
Their behaviour
Police are no strangers to interrogations, even if they're performed in the streets on the down-low (i.e. you are not being detained). But their weakness lies in the fact they think this makes them good at it. They will use threats, they will call out your statements, they will try to get consent for searches. Do not say "yes" or "no", do say "I have nothing to state" or "I have nothing to say". If you are unclear in your language, they will press you on it.
Can anything be gained by talking to police?
No. The only exception is if you are a witness in some cases, because some petty cases do not go to court. But even then, even if you are in good faith and want to cooperate, they may pin something on you. You do not know all laws. You can slip up and incriminate yourself during your witness statement.
Otherwise, everything that has to be said can be said in court. Any ammo you give during your interrogation will be used in court to build a case.