26/11/2025
Know Your Rights: What the Police are not allowed to do during an Arrest
🥢 They CANNOT arrest you over civil matters
The police have no business arresting anyone because of:
debts
rent issues
boyfriend–girlfriend quarrels
business disagreements
“He insulted me”
Those are civil matters. The police exist for crime, not private disputes.
🥢 They CANNOT beat, slap, torture, or brutalize you
No officer has the right to “discipline” you.
Torture is illegal whether physical, verbal, or psychological. Even if you’re a suspect, you are still entitled to dignity under the law.
🥢 They CANNOT search your phone without your consent or a warrant
Your phone is private property. They cannot forcefully open your messages, read your chats,
go through your gallery, or access your banking apps
unless there is a lawful basis like a court warrant or immediate suspicion connected to the crime they stopped you for.
🥢 They CANNOT detain you longer than 24–48 hours without charging you
They cannot keep you indefinitely. If there is evidence, charge you. If there is no evidence, release you. Keeping you beyond the constitutional time frame becomes unlawful detention.
🥢 They CANNOT refuse you access to your lawyer or family
You have the right to call a lawyer
Speak with someone close to you, have legal representation during interrogation, and blocking this right is unconstitutional.
🥢 They CANNOT force you to sign a statement
Not even “just write your side.” Not even “sign here.” Your statement must be voluntarily written by you, made without threat, pressure, or intimidation
If you’re not comfortable, you can say:
“I prefer to remain silent until my lawyer arrives.”
🥢 They CANNOT arrest you without telling you the reason
They must state the offence clearly.
You cannot be arrested based on guesswork, vibes, or “follow me to the station first.”
🥢 They CANNOT search your body disrespectfully
Women must be searched by female officers.
No officer can conduct a degrading or inappropriate search the law forbids it.
🥢 They CANNOT use arrest as a tool of intimidation
Police power is for public safety not for settling scores, collecting “bail money,” or harassing citizens.
🥢 They CANNOT demand money for bail
Bail is FREE.
Whether the case is minor or serious. Any officer demanding money for bail is breaking the law.
Police officers have authority but that authority has boundaries. When you know those boundaries, you protect yourself because the difference between obedience and oppression is simply knowing your rights.
