Know your rights

It is the responsibility of law enforcement to abide by the law, but that does not always happen. Therefore, it is important that you too know how best to behave. Do not challenge the officer. Stay calm and composed, don't get carried away and don't get provoked. Make eye contact and don't look at the ground. Keep your hands in a place visible to the officer, do not put your hands in your pockets or behind your back. If you have your hands in your pockets when you are spoken to, let it be known that you will take them out before doing so. Show with your attitude that you have nothing to hide.

Do you know the difference between asking (vragen) and demanding (vorderen)? Law enforcement officers may always ask for your ID – just as you can ask anyone on the street a question: may I see your ID? A demand simply means: you must cooperate now or you will be arrested. Law enforcement officers may demand ID, for example, if you are suspected of a crime, or if you witnessed a brawl on the street.

So pay close attention to what is said: is your ID being asked or demanded? Not sure? Then ask if you have to show it. A handy way to do that is to ask: can I say no?

During a traffic stop, the driver of a vehicle must always give a driver's license if asked. This does not apply to the passenger: they only have to give an ID if it can be demanded, for example, if you are suspected of a criminal offense.

Ask questions if you think the law enforcement officer has no good or valid reason for the check. For example: must I cooperate or am I also allowed to say no? Under what authority am I being checked? Am I a suspect, if so, of what crime? Is there a description of the suspect, and if so, what is the description?

Filming is done to have evidence of what happened. You film for your own safety and the safety of others. If you film, film from the beginning so that you have the entire interaction on camera. If you can no longer film because you are forced to stop, ask someone else to film. If you see that someone is in trouble: start filming and ask that person for a phone number so you can offer help.

You do not need law enforcement permission to film: in publicly accessible areas, you may always film: on the street, at a train station, and at the airport. Law enforcement officers are not allowed to hinder you in doing so. Be careful not to hinder the work of law enforcement yourself: keep 1.5 meters distance.

Don’t just throw the images online. Consider the privacy of people: both law enforcement and the victim. Share the images with us anyway.

Discriminated against by the police, the Dutch Border Police or a BOA? Arrested with excessive violence? Report it to us!