Stop & Search - what's the law?

[shri]

Uniformed officers don't have to show their warrant cards, plain clothes officers have to show their warrant cards when exercising police powers

One thing I learnt - u cannot take a copy or photo of the warrant card for your records.

[traineeinvestor]

One thing I learnt - u cannot take a copy or photo of the warrant card for your records.

This applies to all government employees - they are not allowed to let people take copies of their government ID cards. IIRC it's a policy intended to make it harder for people to pass themselves off as government employees.

[shri]

This applies to all government employees - they are not allowed to let people take copies of their government ID cards. IIRC it's a policy intended to make it harder for people to pass themselves off as government employees.

That is exactly how it was explained to me. Luckily the guy in charge was good enough to give me his business card.

My deal was - how can I have a proper record of who I am dealing with.

[traineeinvestor]

That is exactly how it was explained to me. Luckily the guy in charge was good enough to give me his business card.

My deal was - how can I have a proper record of who I am dealing with.

Yes, last time I had a run in with some government employees, they gave me business cards as well. They were a little less happy about me snapping pictures of them on my iPhone though.

Practically speaking, if you have a name you can contact the relevant department and ask for verification that the people are who they claim to be. IIRC it took 1-2 business days to get a reply by e-mail.

[GentleGeorge]

In Japan, every serious crime they would blame it on the Chinese...

Percentage-wise, I think the Brazilian-Lebanese-French community there has it worse

[rkenia852]

My deal was - how can I have a proper record of who I am dealing with.

I noted down the officers' ID #s that are sewn onto their lapels.

[rkenia852]

I think taking pictures of government employees is highly unethical. And it exposes them do DOXXING which is really not fair. Unless, that employee him/herself is behaving in an unethical, corrupt or legally incorrect manner....

[aw451]

I think taking pictures of government employees is highly unethical. And it exposes them do DOXXING which is really not fair. Unless, that employee him/herself is behaving in an unethical, corrupt or legally incorrect manner....

It only exposes them to doxxing if you do the doxxing. People don't get instantly doxxed as soon as a photo is taken of them, although that's what the police PR department wants you to think.

[rkenia852]

It only exposes them to doxxing if you do the doxxing. People don't get instantly doxxed as soon as a photo is taken of them, although that's what the police PR department wants you to think.

Yes, you are correct to the greatest extent. Personal data and its privacy and protection applies to everyone. Even government employees.

That said, if you are aware how loose privacy settings are on most people’s phones, just having those pictures is a risk Quite like having pictures on the phone of personal documents. Especially in high-surveillance states, doxxing anyone is a legitimate risk.

[TheBrit]

I think taking pictures of government employees is highly unethical. And it exposes them do DOXXING which is really not fair. Unless, that employee him/herself is behaving in an unethical, corrupt or legally incorrect manner....

What a load of nonsense. Taking pictures exposes them to doxxing?