Lynchburg Police

As any citizen of the state of Virginia, or United States of America for that matter, you may at some point find yourself on the receiving end of a police officer’s inquiry. This is no time to panic, as an officer wanting to talk to you presumes no guilt or infraction on your part. There are many reasons for a police officer to initiate contact with a civilian, only a few of which could spell certain trouble. A police officer will only detain you for the short time necessary to determine whether or not you are in fact the person in question. Once he or she has concluded that you are not, the officer will thank you for your time and return to his regular duty. Among the most likely reasons for one to be stopped on the street would be wearing similar clothing or possessing similar features to the description of a suspect, traveling in the nearby vicinity of a recent crime scene, suspicious behavior, unlawful presence or the request of another concerned individual. If an officer approaches you, here are the important things to remember

• Avoid sudden movements As a rule of thumb, it’s best to inform an officer before reaching for any possession on your person. Bear in mind, police officers often find themselves in potentially hazardous situations and sudden movements could be misconstrued as an intent to harm (i.e. reaching for a weapon).
• Save jokes for later Anything you say may be taken literally. Joking about being armed, committing a crime or intending to commit a crime is a serious matter, as your tone or sense of humor may not be detectable to an officer on the job.
• No touching Keep a distance of an at least a full arms length unless instructed otherwise. Policemen carry weapons not intended for use by citizens. A move towards an officer or his or her weapon could be construed as an act of aggression.
• Follow directions First and foremost, comply with the request of an officer. If you have any questions, act first and ask later. Avoiding simple questions or refusing to heed to an order will only make the process last longer and less pleasant.