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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

would you lie to the police

38 replies

McHappyPants2012 · 20/08/2012 21:31

just going from the EE Story line.

would you lie to the police to protect a family member or close friend.

OP posts:
Kladdkaka · 20/08/2012 23:27

No. Never. Even if I wanted to I couldn't. I have AS and am neurologically wired to tell truth. That's why everyone hates me.

Them: What do you think of my new dress?
Me: It's ugly and makes your bum look big.

Them: Would you like to hold my new baby?
Me: No it smells.

Them: Your son is wanted for extradiction to the US for hacking. Where is he?
Me: Hiding under the cushions on the sofa in the ecuadorian embassy

ThatVikRinA22 · 20/08/2012 23:31

the police stuff on EE makes me howl with laughter.

SundaeGirl · 20/08/2012 23:39

Yes, I probably would lie for my DC.

Birdsgottafly · 21/08/2012 03:00

Possibly, i have for other crimes.

I would probably embelish the truth, rather than lie, after all everything is down to interpretation, individual experience etc.

VisionaryGoat · 21/08/2012 04:11

It would depend on a couple of different factors:

  1. What has the person I would be protecting actually done and why have they done it?

I know that you can't justify a crime, but IMO some crimes are more understandable than others. If someone had committed a crime I found horrendous or morally repugnant - I'd shop them myself right away, no matter who they are. If they'd done something I could empathize with I'd be more likely to pretend I know nothing.

  1. Am I really having to tell some outright whoppers on their behalf, or do I just need to 'forget' to mention some small detail or pretend I didn't see/hear anything?

I'm a shit liar, and would almost certainly get caught out if I tried to spin a tale. I would also fold easily under interrogation, you wouldn't even have to shine a bright light in my eyes Grin But if it was a simple lie of omission I'd be more likely to be able to make it stick. Also - I would prefer not to get myself into trouble so would only lie about something that is unlikely to be disproved.

  1. Am I being spoken to as a matter of routine or because the police have zeroed in on a likely suspect?

If the police are questioning me in depth because they are suspicious then I'd be most likely singing like a canary - see shit liar explanation. If it is a couple of routine questions only and they have nothing to really go on, then I would be more likely to keep my mouth shut.

sashh · 21/08/2012 04:28

(although I'd probably lend them the money to go to Switzerland!)

Sorry but that made me laugh - how would they repay you?

ILiveInAPineapple · 21/08/2012 08:20

moon wasn't Hampshire constabulary by any chance? bitter

Trioofprinces · 21/08/2012 08:34

Never and would have absolute contempt for anyone who would deliberately do this.

Too right, how the hell is society meant to work if people don't support the police? Yes, I know the system isn't perfect , I have been interviewed and statements taken for something I didn't do (but thankfully not charged) and have given evidence in a serious GBH case, none of which is pleasant. The GBH guy got off because he lied in court, despite six prosecution witnesses telling the truth (I know I was there!), it was a real eye opener to me aged 18.

Pisses me right off and shows that whilst the majority of the country are law abiding citizens with a respect for the law and the police, there is an underclass who don't want to live by the rules and have no respect for them. Grrrrrrr.

ThatVikRinA22 · 21/08/2012 10:51

well, i hope this gives a little insight into what the police are up against on a daily basis - so when people are busy blaming the police for not catching their (insert whatever here....burglar/attacker/thief/) please spare a thought that we do get lied to, often.

no wonder most police become hardened and cynical. im currently involved in a case in which everyone has lied to me, no one saw a thing. so now im having to go to the nth degree, will take much longer, cost much more, but i do have very good evidence and i know the truth will out in the end. i dont mind, its just making me work a bit harder, but the victim is probably wondering why its all taking so long - the answer is because every single person is pretending they had their eyes shut all night.
i wonder how they would feel had it been their loved one.

SoleSource · 21/08/2012 11:00

No way.

MammaTJisanOlympicSumoWrestler · 21/08/2012 11:02

I made a statement to the police that happened to get one friend out of trouble and really drop another in it. BUT it was the truth, so so be it!

Birdsgottafly · 21/08/2012 12:05

a respect for the law and the police

I have a respect for some laws, some police (although i couldn't carry on in work as they do, swearing and insulting people) but not our 'justice' system.

Our 'justice' system gets it very wrong a lot of the time and our prison systemis just plain wrong and in most cases ineffective.

loopylou6 · 21/08/2012 14:35

It depends on the crime and who head committed it. If it was a mindless crime that a member of my family had committed, then yes I'd report.

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