Is a single police officer legally allowed to arrest a woman who is alone?

[impossible]

Does anyone know if a single police officer is allowed to arrest a woman who is alone and put her in a vehicle? Or for that matter is it legal for a single officer to arrest a male and confine him?

I'm thinking about what happened to Sarah Everard and wondering what the rules are. I think it's important that we all know in case something like that that situation happens again. Certainly I would like to be able to tell my dcs their rights.

Of course they can

Yes they can.

Rules of evidence are different in Scotland though.

Copper of 10yrs here (now left).

Naively I imagined they would have to call for back up before someone could be confined.

As for your rights, be careful of your sources online if you're looking for them - a lot of groups who think they know it all have published dreadful advice and made claims about all sort of things that are just untrue and would lead to serious consequences.

Have a read of this: www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/know_your_rights_z-card.pdf - it's quite comprehensive.

I have told my girls to scream the place down if a single officer ever tries to put them into a car for anything. I would do the same and deal with any consequences later.
That poor, poor woman., such a massive betrayal of trust. I hope they lock him up and throw away the key!

@impossible confined? A basic arrest is so normal it's a mostly daily matter for a copper.

This was an off duty psycho, not even a uniform wearing, radio-using, on duty etc copper. Frankly, he could have been anyone.

If you are dealing with a police officer, expect that even in plain clothing, if they are on duty (as opposed to making an arrest off duty which does happen - often shop lifters etc) you'd expect them to have a radio with them and be communicating with their control room.

If one of your children were to be approached by an off duty officer, they should still have their badge, but certainly not handcuffs. They would also expect to be phoning into their controlled room for an on duty colleague to come and take over.

I've had to make off duty arrests before - it's an absolute PITA obligation under your oath as a copper.

[quote PinkFootstool]@impossible confined? A basic arrest is so normal it's a mostly daily matter for a copper.

This was an off duty psycho, not even a uniform wearing, radio-using, on duty etc copper. Frankly, he could have been anyone.

If you are dealing with a police officer, expect that even in plain clothing, if they are on duty (as opposed to making an arrest off duty which does happen - often shop lifters etc) you'd expect them to have a radio with them and be communicating with their control room.

If one of your children were to be approached by an off duty officer, they should still have their badge, but certainly not handcuffs. They would also expect to be phoning into their controlled room for an on duty colleague to come and take over.

I've had to make off duty arrests before - it's an absolute PITA obligation under your oath as a copper.[/quote]
No, he was a serving police officer, using his warrant card.

What hope do any of us have when even a (presumably) female police officer doesn’t get it?

@PinkFootstool

As for your rights, be careful of your sources online if you're looking for them - a lot of groups who think they know it all have published dreadful advice and made claims about all sort of things that are just untrue and would lead to serious consequences.

Have a read of this: www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/know_your_rights_z-card.pdf - it's quite comprehensive.

Thanks for this PinkFootstool - the more information the better.

@Mybalconyiscracking

I have told my girls to scream the place down if a single officer ever tries to put them into a car for anything. I would do the same and deal with any consequences later. That poor, poor woman., such a massive betrayal of trust. I hope they lock him up and throw away the key!

Fair enough, but do be aware that among the consequences might be an additional charge of obstructing a constable in the course of duty.

I hope they lock him up and throw away the key!

BBC report says the judge is considering a whole life tariff

Info on setting tariffs here:

www.cps.gov.uk/legal-guidance/sentencing-mandatory-life-sentences-murder-cases

@impossible I know he was, and by god I'm not ever going to defend the bastard. I think my point is that he could have been anyone pretending to be a copper. He abused his enormously privileged and powerful position to commit a horrific, horrific crime.

There are wide issues around male predatory behaviours amongst the entire population, including amongst the police and in my experience, especially the Met.

In terms of keeping people safe from these types, knowing what is normal procedure is very useful but isn't a panacea.

Nor is screaming and shouting if you've been arrested if you know what's happening ie just been shoplifting, detained by the shop staff, police called and you're now being taken to a police station - that doesn't help anyone, least of all you.

Being accosted in the street for no clear reason and put into an unmarked car - absolutely scream like hell and tell them why.

Due to budget cuts most PCs are patrolling alone & therefore make arrests alone, but yes would be radioing their control for back up etc.
Have two friends who are PCs in rural SW counties.

I wouldn’t know a real from a fake warrant card so it honestly would make no difference if a police officer approached me.

Wouldn’t that be resisting arrest though? You can also be charged with that.

The poor girl didn’t stand a single chance. No one would know not to do as your told by an officer if your being arrested, especially if your not actually the law breaking type.

I have followed this story from the beginning and really thought it couldn't get any worse. Sarah must have been absolutely terrified, being driven all the way from Clapham to Kent, knowing what likely fate awaited her. I sincerely hope he is never released, not ever.

Can't believe this was actually asked as a question! A lot of officers are single crewed so yes, they can make an arrest when on their own.

PinkFootstool I think maybe you are responding to SheikhMaraca's reply - I completely get that you're not defending him.

I suppose people tend to defer to authority if they are not sure of their rights but at least having a sense of what is not normal procedure is helpful.

In England yes, in Scotland no

Pink Footstool I have just had this conversation with my DD. This strikes home here because I used to walk home on Sarah Everard's route. I said I would have insisted someone trying to handcuff me and get me in the car should use his radio to get confirmation for me that I had committed an offence and that I was being detained legitimately, especially as it was legal to exercise on your own at that point.

However would I have done aged 23, on my own, on a busy well lit South Circular where you would only expect harassment from drunk losers, when someone had presented a warrant card and indeed had handcuffs on their belt? Probably not.

This reads like resisting arrest is the same as resisting a predatory male. The power is still in the mans court here because to protect yourself puts you at risk of further repercussions of “resisting arrest”.

What’s a woman to do?! Honesty! How to resist confirmed and ACTUAL murdering scum police man, how can we tell the difference when between nice policeman and murdering one?

@Mybalconyiscracking

I have told my girls to scream the place down if a single officer ever tries to put them into a car for anything. I would do the same and deal with any consequences later. That poor, poor woman., such a massive betrayal of trust. I hope they lock him up and throw away the key!

And add a charge of resisting arrest? Seriously not a good idea.

It's a good link pinkfootstool but I can't see that it covers arrest.

Tbh he knew that most people don't spend much time thinking about how to deal with being unexpectedly arrested.

One of the many things that hit me about this is that WC bought a piece of woodland that he then used in the crime. He's been fantasising about this for years.

I imagine if you explained that you feel uncomfortable getting into the car with them alone they would be happy to call for backup, or allow you to call the local police station to confirm that he is an active police officer on duty and that they are aware you are being brought in, to set your mind at ease.

GitsandShigggles - of course, but useful to know that radio back up should be called for.

Speaking for myself it is likely I would have got in the car - now I would not so I think it is a conversation worth having.

Uniformed.officer, with a police vehicle and a radio, camera I'd agree to the arrest.

Plain clothes, solo, unmarked vehicle. No chance. I'll take a resisting arrest charge, would still have to meet threshold by the CPS and given recent events, would probably not progress.

Call on the radio for officers to attend. Would be my ask for a non uniformed arrest and unmarked car. Solo. I'd literally refuse to be arrested and cause a drama.

To be honest if you kick off they will call for back up anyway. I watch it daily as my service users kick off. And I just have to stand there like a lemon because saying "just calm down and listen" never helps the situation.