Do police officers have to answer this?

Sherilynne B

Interesting question and answers. Reading them it seems to me that people who are NOT cops think that cops are not allowed to lie when asked if they are cops (or anything else) while the cops all seem to agree that lying is part of the job. Now who are we to believe? The people who know nothing, or the people who claim to be liars by trade?

C J

( I'm an ex-cop....so I can answer this. )

First of all, contrary to someone elses post in here, we are not "trained to lie."

Secondly, let me make this kind of plain and easy.... if you were a spy, and someone you were spying on asked you if you were a spy from your country, would you tell them? I don't think you want to die, do you?

Police officers are not required to identify themselves if they are undercover or in plain clothes just because people ask them if they're cops. If they are executing their duties and it requires them to identify themselves as police officers, then they will surely do so. But they are not required to if just asked. No law saying that.

Hope this helps.

Combatcop

It depends. If the officer is undercover then no. If the officer is attempting to effect an arrest he/she must be identified as a police officer.

Jack

No they don't.
There is no law compelling a peace officer to admit that they are a member of any law enforcement body unless they are arresting you at that very moment.

Could you imagine if an undercover narcotics officer had to declare that fact?

Citicop

No. If that were the case, there wouldn't be many cases made using undercover officers. We are allowed to lie about that.

j d

Nope...they do not have to tell..

someonecanbme

It is not stated anywhere that when criminals are criminals-police have to answer honestly when they are being lied to. think about it.

m c

Nope, not if they are undercover and some other situations.

old fuzz

No, they do not. That is an allowable subterfuge. How else would sting operations and undercover investigations ever get accomplished it the officer could be discovered so easily.

bkc99xx

Aw, come on, don't ruin the fun for everyone. I enjoy watching the cop shows where the lady will ask the undercover cop if he is a cop and then brag about how smart she is because she now feels safe.

You would think that after being busted on that so many times, they would eventually figure it out.
I saw one where they were putting the cuffs on her and she was yelling "You can't arrest me, I asked you if you were a cop and you lied."

*****

If they are undercover, you can't expect them to blow their cover. This is ludicrous.

AV427

Ok but how about in a situation where the undercover officer approaches you to sell something, IE I have seen cops at concerts go undercover and asking if anyone wants to buy tickets or sell them tickets?? This would seem like entrapment.. Or if the officer says you wanna buy pot or whatever?? You mean to say if you ask him if he's a cop and he lies and gets the **** beat out of him, I guess that should get thrown out because you did not know he was a cop, so they can't use the "Assaulting a police officer line" Can they?? Also, spies are worlds apart. Your dealing with Military, Ambassadors, High level Polititians and such. Not some local detective trying to make a routine bust. So there are reasons a spy would need to lie. Plus Spies are not all bound to uphold the law and to serve and protect the public interest. They can be hired hands to do the dirty work. I can see DEA pulling this type of law bending for this reason. I just think that any Police officer at the local government level should have to identify himself.

Josie826

Never heard that one.

Tan D

Unless a Police officer is performing a Police duty, then the cop will have to identify himself (exclude undercover), if not, there is not necessary for the cop to tell you even you ask.

angela_margaret_cisneros

The one to PUNISH is the one who appoints the Attorneys General of the United States of America who is the President of the United States of America and his master(s).

Rolling Stone

I doubt it. That would be personal and private information. If they are on the job site or in uniform, I would think they would have to give the proper answer

gorglin

If you ask they will normally tell you, but why the question
because most police officers identify themselves even if
out of uniform, they usually carry identity............................

tallerfella

No they don't have to tell you..............

Sheila D

NO WAY they can totally lie to you Legally if they are undercover or if they feel like it for that matter.Of course they cannot lie too you for no reason but hey they are the police they can basically do what they want....

glamour04111

yes

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