Police Stops & Home Entry

If the police stop someone, they are required to:

• show proper identification when not in uniform
• provide their name and badge number if asked
• explain why they are stopping the person
• only use force if it is necessary and allowed by law

The police can stop someone walking down the street for different reasons, including just to chat or to investigate a crime.

The police may walk up to you just to engage you in conversation. You do not have to talk with the police if you do not want to. If you want to go on your way, ask if you are free to go. If the police say you cannot go, you are being detained or arrested. Otherwise, you can simply leave.

The police can detain you for a short period of time if they are investigating a recent or ongoing crime. They must have reasonable grounds to believe that you are connected to that crime.

You do not have to identify yourself just because the police stopped you. However, you should identify yourself if the police think you have broken a law. If you do not identify yourself in such a case, the police can decide to arrest you to establish your identity. For example, they may need your name to give you a ticket for jaywalking.

The police can stop drivers for a number of reasons, including:

• for routine checks to make sure that the driver has a licence, the car is registered with Saskatchewan Government Insurance, the vehicle is in good working order and to make sure the driver is not impaired by alcohol or drugs
• for safety concerns, such as the trunk being open or something hanging from the car
• if the police see that the driver or other people in the car are not obeying traffic safety laws, such as those that require wearing a seatbelt, signalling when changing lanes, stopping at stop signs and red lights or following speed limits
• if the car has a headlight, tail-light or brake-light that is not working
• if the police are looking for a suspect or a witness to a crime and the car or people match the description
• if police have reason to believe that the driver is impaired by drugs or alcohol
• if the driver is driving dangerously
• if there is a warrant for the arrest of someone in the car

The police can enter a residence if they:

• have an arrest warrant or a search warrant
• are chasing someone to arrest them and see that person enter the residence
• need to enter right away to protect people or prevent evidence from being destroyed
• are answering a 911 call or giving first-aid
• are invited in

If the police come into your house, do not try to stop them even if you do not think they have a reason to. You should tell them you do not agree to them coming in. Get their names and badge numbers. Write down what happened as soon as you can, in as much detail as you can. Then, if you want to make a complaint later, you will have the information you need.