When Observing a Person Being Arrested
- Try to get the name and address of the person getting arrested.
- Try to take photographs
- Try to get a physical description (including approximate age), and condition of the person.
- Note and write down details of the Police Officer's behaviors, physical description, names, badge numbers, rank and other identifying information.
- The more inconspicuous you can be while you are collecting information, the more effective you will be.
- Note the behavior of the arrested person.
- Note how many Police Officers were around, how close they were, if they were in plain clothes or in uniform.
- Try to make a note of the exact time, from the beginning of the incident, to the time that the arrested person is taken away.
- Make note of the lighting conditions.
- Make note of what the arrested person had in their possession (i.e. bags, bicycles, backpack, etc.)
- Try to give your own information to the arrested person (without interfering with the arrest).
