Questions
“I am choosing to remain silent.”
You do not have to explain where you are going, what you are doing, or where you live. Avoid lying; repeat the phrase instead.
A public service resource for New York City
When the pressure is high, use the words you already have.
You do not need to know legal jargon to assert a right. Use these short phrases, stay as safe as you can, and do not argue about the law on the street.
01 / Quick reference
Tap a situation. Read the words.
These phrases are intentionally direct. You can repeat them without explaining yourself.
Leaving
“Am I free to leave?”
Ask calmly. If the answer is yes, leave calmly. If the answer is no, ask what you are being detained for.
Search
“I do not consent to a search.”
Do not physically resist. Saying this does not guarantee the search will stop; it clearly records that you did not consent.
Arrest or questioning
“I want a lawyer. I am not answering questions.”
Do not explain, sign, or make decisions about your case before speaking with a lawyer.
Recording
“I am recording. I will not interfere.”
Keep a safe distance and do not obstruct. Do not physically fight over a phone or recording.
Unclear instruction
“I want to comply. Please tell me what you are asking me to do.”
Ask for the instruction to be repeated. Do not make sudden movements toward a pocket or bag.
Sources and limits. Rights depend on the situation. Read the NYC Commission on Human Rights guidance and ACLU police-interaction guide. If you are arrested, injured, or facing a deadline, seek qualified legal help.
02 / After the interaction
Make a record while the details are still yours.
You do not have to decide today what the incident means. Preserve what you know first.
Write it down
Date, approximate time, location, what was said, what happened, names or shield numbers, vehicle numbers, and witnesses.
Preserve evidence
Keep original photos, video, messages, medical records, and receipts. Do not edit the only copy.
Get advice
If there was an arrest, force, injury, property loss, or a deadline, contact a lawyer or legal-services organization promptly.
Look up public records
The public lookup does not accept your private story or upload your evidence.
03 / Public records demonstration
Find what public sources say about an officer record.
This is a research aid, not a verdict. It connects public records and shows how the connection was made.
No private encounter details are sent to this lookup.
Start with a public name or shield.
The result will show what is linked, how it was linked, and what remains unresolved.Need the source, not the demonstration? The current verified publication includes release manifests, provenance, temporal states, joinability, review queues, and CSV/JSON/Parquet downloads. Public source identifiers are retained with their source context; links and conclusions remain qualified by evidence and uncertainty.