Police Officer Id

[nailit]

Is a police officer obliged to give his/her ID if asked?
Thanks.

[Jackdaw33]

Uniformed officers have their number on their shoulders. Plain clothes will show their warrant cards, so no need to ask.

[EDDIE51]

Yes they MUST show you their warrant card , and give their name and number. In fact they tell people to always insist on seeing their ID.

[EDDIE51]

Jackdaw It is not unknown for a fake police officer to have a uniform with a number on it. If in any doubt ask for the warrant card and then dial the police non emergency number (111?) and ask if the officer and card is genuine.

[woofgang]

Well they do if they are doing stop and search.
When the police stop and search you, they must provide you with the following information before the search can begin:

proof of their warrant card
information on police powers to stop and search
information on your rights
the police officer's name and police station
the reason for the search
what they think they might find when they search you.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/legal-system/police/police-powers/

[CrapAtCryptics]

Yes

[nailit]

Don't know why the big gap after my question??
Apologies.
Seen loads of you tube vids where the police refuse to identify themselves...sometimes by number but most often by name.

[anneasquith]

Give? To whom ?

[woofgang]

ermmmm the person who asks?

[anneasquith]

Woof I don't believe they are obliged to give to anyone, unless the op means show ?

[nailit]

Anne, give or show...same thing. Whats ur problem with it?

[anneasquith]

I'm sorry nailit , give and show are different words with different meanings in my world, check the dictionary .

[nailit]

//don't believe they are obliged to give to anyone,//
Not particularly bothered about your beleiefs Anne, more interested in facts.

[jackthehat]

I'm not sure you can wander up to an officer and ask them to show you their warrant-card. However, if they are interacting with you, in some way, (not just asking you to move on, etc) I think they would be prepared/obliged to show it.

[anneasquith]

Oh, OK .!

[BAKERS DOZEN]

Eddie @ 21.00. It is not only the police who carry warrant cards and have the power of arrest so dialling 111 would only work if the person stated they were a police officer. My warrant card gave me power of entry, which the police did not have, as well as power of arrest.

[EDDIE51]

^ I assume community service officers have warrant cards as well now.
I know special constables have them.
What were you B D?
The actual requirement is that a police officer must show / prove his/her identity to any person who has a justifiable reason to need it.
I don't expect they would be too co-operative if someone just walks up and demands to see their ID.

[BAKERS DOZEN]

I was a Civilian Enforcement Officer working for the Ministry of Justice. We wore very similar clothing to the police kevlar vests, steel toe capped boots etc and I drove a dark blue van with a cage in it for our prisoners. The difference with us is that we went out on warrants issued by the Crown Court and by the Magistrates' Court. I had no power to deal with everyday police work but every visit of ours was to arrest someone, usually for failing to complete community orders, payment of fines, not complying conditions of realease from prison, faiure to answer bail. We put them in the van and took them straight to the cells at the Court. We had the power to enter and search properties whereas the police would have to go to court for a warrant. Our local Warrant Officerss would often check to see if we had a warrant at a certain address so they could come in with us. They would also attend if the risk assessment indicated help may be needed. Have arrested all kinds of people including a barrister who was claiming benefits while also earning a fortune at his practice. He could not be dealt with by any of our courts as he was known by the staff and the magistrates and district judges so he had to be transported to a different county for sentence.

[EDDIE51]

^ Thanks BD I did not know that there were such officers. I thought the police or court bailiffs did it.

[BAKERS DOZEN]

Eddie I loved at and I do miss it as every day was different. Have found people hiding in the bases of beds, in a duvet underneath the lagging in a loft, in false kitchen cupbards- you name it and there they were. Surprising so many parents would open the door and say their little angel was not there whilst quietly pointing upstairs so we would loudly say thank you but we have a duty to search the premises. Once the offender was arrested the parents would quietly ask us if we could make sure they were kept in for a couple of months at least. They were so fed up of them and all the trouble they caused. Think the role may be being phased out now and warrants handed back to the police which will add to their load.

[New Judge]

"I assume community service officers have warrant cards..."

No they do not because, unlike Special Police Officers, they are not "warranted officers". Among other things they do not have powers of arrest. This is bestowed on police officers by their warrant card. BD's powers of entry and arrest came from the warrants issued by the courts.