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Know Your Rights: Racial Profiling & Police Stops
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  • Introduction
    • How can this Guide help me?
    • Racial profiling, carding, and “street checks” – what are they?
    • How do we know racial profiling exists in Canada?
    • Where do the police get their powers? Where do my rights come from? Can policing rules change?
    • Acknowledgement and Thank you
  • Police Powers
    • What powers do the police have?
    • Can police break the law?
    • Can police lie?
  • My Rights
    • –
      • Police stops, detention (being detained) vs. The right to walk away
      • Requests for ID and police questions vs. The right to remain silent
      • What rights do I have in police stops and interactions?
      • Driving stops – are there special rules? What are my rights?
    • –
      • Security officers, mall guards, and private individuals – what can they do?
      • Search and seizure vs. Privacy rights
      • What is an arrest? When can I be arrested?
      • Your rights if detained or arrested
  • What Can I Do If My Rights Were Violated?
    • –
      • What is a rights violation or unfair treatment?
      • Can I film police stops?
      • Should I take notes during an interaction with police?
      • What should I do if I’m injured during an interaction with police?
    • –
      • When is my best time to take action?
      • What kind of action can I take?
      • If my rights were violated – can I still be arrested, charged, and found guilty?
  • Who Do I Contact?
  • Visit CCLA
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    Stay safe. Use your best judgment.

    Knowing your rights is an important tool. But sometimes questioning police or verbally insisting on your rights in the moment can escalate an interaction. It is usually a good idea to remain calm, be polite, and use your own good judgment. Knowing your rights can also help you recognize when your rights may have been violated. This will be important if you want to take action after you are no longer near the police.

    Remember: The information in this Guide is not legal advice.

    If you are looking for legal advice please consult a lawyer. It is recommended to do so if you plan to take legal action.
    Read "How Can This Guide Help Me" for more information.

    Support projects like these by making a donation today.

    This Guide was created in November 2021, and launched on December 13th 2021.

    © 2025 Canadian Civil Liberties Association

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    • Introduction
      • How can this Guide help me?
      • Racial profiling, carding, and “street checks” – what are they?
      • How do we know racial profiling exists in Canada?
      • Where do the police get their powers? Where do my rights come from? Can policing rules change?
      • Acknowledgement and Thank you
    • Police Powers
      • What powers do the police have?
      • Can police break the law?
      • Can police lie?
    • My Rights
      • –
        • Police stops, detention (being detained) vs. The right to walk away
        • Requests for ID and police questions vs. The right to remain silent
        • What rights do I have in police stops and interactions?
        • Driving stops – are there special rules? What are my rights?
      • –
        • Security officers, mall guards, and private individuals – what can they do?
        • Search and seizure vs. Privacy rights
        • What is an arrest? When can I be arrested?
        • Your rights if detained or arrested
    • What Can I Do If My Rights Were Violated?
      • –
        • What is a rights violation or unfair treatment?
        • Can I film police stops?
        • Should I take notes during an interaction with police?
        • What should I do if I’m injured during an interaction with police?
      • –
        • When is my best time to take action?
        • What kind of action can I take?
        • If my rights were violated – can I still be arrested, charged, and found guilty?
    • Who Do I Contact?
    • Visit CCLA
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