Police want a chat about a complaint?
Discussion
So, randomly I got home to a note through my door from the police wanting to talk to me. I pooped myself as not exactly ever had dealing with police before and also because I thought someone might be in trouble, anyway, I ring, they say nothing to worry about, no ones hurt but they want to talk to me about a complaint that was made by someone and that they'd come and see me and have a chat but again said it was nothing. They told me who made the complaint and honestly it's all very weird and I'm confident it's all made up but If its nothing, why bother wasting their time talking t me?
The general consensus on other forums is to not have the "friendly chat" at home but rather at the police station. That way you can make use of the free legal advice open to you.
Might sound OTT - but it's amazing how things that start off as a "friendly chat" can snowball. Offer to go in would be my suggestion.
Might sound OTT - but it's amazing how things that start off as a "friendly chat" can snowball. Offer to go in would be my suggestion.
Lemmonie said:
So, randomly I got home to a note through my door from the police wanting to talk to me. I pooped myself as not exactly ever had dealing with police before and also because I thought someone might be in trouble, anyway, I ring, they say nothing to worry about, no ones hurt but they want to talk to me about a complaint that was made by someone and that they'd come and see me and have a chat but again said it was nothing. They told me who made the complaint and honestly it's all very weird and I'm confident it's all made up but If its nothing, why bother wasting their time talking t me?
Why did you get home randomly?A "friendly chat" and "nothing to worry about" can turn into quite the opposite. The Police are rightly well versed in ways of getting information from people.
I've had two "nothing to worry about" chats with the Police; the first I ended up in prison and the second, reported for harassment (eventually dropped by the CPS, as it was plainly nonsense).
If you must speak to them at home, ask them clearly what offences they are considering and take notes. If the conversation goes anywhere near uncomfortable, ask to stop.
Bear in mind, a friendly chat might also be a genuine way to put across your side and could avoid things going any further. Just don't use the demeanour of the officers the method by which you judge this.
I've had two "nothing to worry about" chats with the Police; the first I ended up in prison and the second, reported for harassment (eventually dropped by the CPS, as it was plainly nonsense).
If you must speak to them at home, ask them clearly what offences they are considering and take notes. If the conversation goes anywhere near uncomfortable, ask to stop.
Bear in mind, a friendly chat might also be a genuine way to put across your side and could avoid things going any further. Just don't use the demeanour of the officers the method by which you judge this.
I honestly haven't done anything though!
The complaint to the police seems to have followed an official complaint to the school after I was verbally attacked by this women. When I was on the receiving end of this verbal rant I said nothing, did nothing and that was that. There were plenty of people who saw this and probably CCTV footage.
Is it possible the women has reported her "offence" thinking I might?
The complaint to the police seems to have followed an official complaint to the school after I was verbally attacked by this women. When I was on the receiving end of this verbal rant I said nothing, did nothing and that was that. There were plenty of people who saw this and probably CCTV footage.
Is it possible the women has reported her "offence" thinking I might?
10 Pence Short said:
I've had two "nothing to worry about" chats with the Police; the first I ended up in prison and the second, reported for harassment (eventually dropped by the CPS, as it was plainly nonsense).
.
Sorry for the O/T but is your prison blog online anywhere? Just done a search but see your original post is deleted .
yetMake an appointment to go to the station and take a solicitor. It will be worth the small amount of money they will cost now to sleep easier later. Far too much potential for putting your foot in it.
They will also ensure that things are done correctly, which no one can have any complaint about.
They will also ensure that things are done correctly, which no one can have any complaint about.
If they want to question you about something, then regardless of where they do it, you are entitled to free legal advice, so why not do it in the comfort of your home. Until you speak to them, you aren't going to know what it's about.
Take the scaremongering on here with a pinch of salt.
Take the scaremongering on here with a pinch of salt.
Lemmonie said:
I honestly haven't done anything though!
The complaint to the police seems to have followed an official complaint to the school after I was verbally attacked by this women. When I was on the receiving end of this verbal rant I said nothing, did nothing and that was that. There were plenty of people who saw this and probably CCTV footage.
Is it possible the women has reported her "offence" thinking I might?
Quite possibly.The complaint to the police seems to have followed an official complaint to the school after I was verbally attacked by this women. When I was on the receiving end of this verbal rant I said nothing, did nothing and that was that. There were plenty of people who saw this and probably CCTV footage.
Is it possible the women has reported her "offence" thinking I might?
But the bottom line is that this woman's made an allegation against you and, whether it's true or not, the police are duty bound to investigate.
I'd make an appointment to attend the police station and ensure that you take up the offer of the free legal advice. Certainly don't discuss the matter in any way until you've taken legal advice - at this stage you have no idea what allegation she's made.
Lemmonie said:
I honestly haven't done anything though!
The complaint to the police seems to have followed an official complaint to the school after I was verbally attacked by this women. When I was on the receiving end of this verbal rant I said nothing, did nothing and that was that. There were plenty of people who saw this and probably CCTV footage.
Is it possible the women has reported her "offence" thinking I might?
As said, get legal advice. The way I see it, it's a female/male disagreement on school grounds? The complaint to the police seems to have followed an official complaint to the school after I was verbally attacked by this women. When I was on the receiving end of this verbal rant I said nothing, did nothing and that was that. There were plenty of people who saw this and probably CCTV footage.
Is it possible the women has reported her "offence" thinking I might?
Furry Exocet said:
Take the scaremongering on here with a pinch of salt.
With the greatest of respect - no, don't do that. Do take it seriously.As said, whether it's 'fair' or not is a subject for a different thread, but the Police have conviction rate targets, and sorry to say that if the slightest hint of an 'easy nick' comes their way, then generally it will be pounced upon...
That's just how it is.
I may or may not know this due to the experiences of a 'friend.'
The fact of the matter is that if the Police had any concrete evidence of an offence, you would have received far harsher treatment by now, and been 'invited' in for a formal interview. The consequences of which, depending upon your interview, your brief, and their evidence, would have resulted in either an unconditional discharge, being charged and getting bail, or retention at the station with further interviews, or their application to court for further time to interview, or worst of all an application to keep you on remand.
So it can snowball quickly if you're not careful.
However, from what I can gather from your OP, it sounds like a complaint has been made from a member of the public, where a Police officer or other official was not present to collect evidence.
Hence, if all the Police have is a 'complaint' from a third party, with no other evidence (which sounds like your case and which is why you've just been informally asked for a chat) then 'my friend's' experience is probably best followed.
Which is:
Conduct all discussions (whether voluntary and not under arrest, or more formally) at the Police station, on tape;
Initially, confirm only your name and address, and confirm your presence at the scene of the allegation if there are independent witnesses to your presence;
In the first instance, there is no need for a solicitor, just sit and listen to the full content of the allegation before commenting;
If it is clear that the only evidence is an un-substantiated or un-witnessed complaint from a third party - then now is the time to realise that actually, you have no recollection of any of these events at all, and that you have no idea what they are on about, sorry.
If the evidence is more substantial than that, then it is probably time to comment no further, and request legal counsel.
There may be other posters who might not agree - but as far as I know, this may be the best way to proceed, depending upon your own circumstances
Let us know what happens.
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
With the greatest of respect - no, don't do that. Do take it seriously.
As said, whether it's 'fair' or not is a subject for a different thread, but the Police have conviction rate targets, and sorry to say that if the slightest hint of an 'easy nick' comes their way, then generally it will be pounced upon...
That's just how it is.
I may or may not know this due to the experiences of a 'friend.'
The fact of the matter is that if the Police had any concrete evidence of an offence, you would have received far harsher treatment by now, and been 'invited' in for a formal interview. The consequences of which, depending upon your interview, your brief, and their evidence, would have resulted in either an unconditional discharge, being charged and getting bail, or retention at the station with further interviews, or their application to court for further time to interview, or worst of all an application to keep you on remand.
So it can snowball quickly if you're not careful.
However, from what I can gather from your OP, it sounds like a complaint has been made from a member of the public, where a Police officer or other official was not present to collect evidence.
Hence, if all the Police have is a 'complaint' from a third party, with no other evidence (which sounds like your case and which is why you've just been informally asked for a chat) then 'my friend's' experience is probably best followed.
Which is:
Conduct all discussions (whether voluntary and not under arrest, or more formally) at the Police station, on tape;
Initially, confirm only your name and address, and confirm your presence at the scene of the allegation if there are independent witnesses to your presence;
In the first instance, there is no need for a solicitor, just sit and listen to the full content of the allegation before commenting;
If it is clear that the only evidence is an un-substantiated or un-witnessed complaint from a third party - then now is the time to realise that actually, you have no recollection of any of these events at all, and that you have no idea what they are on about, sorry.
If the evidence is more substantial than that, then it is probably time to comment no further, and request legal counsel.
There may be other posters who might not agree - but as far as I know, this may be the best way to proceed, depending upon your own circumstances
Let us know what happens.
Op, if I was you I wouldn't take advice from a barrack room lawyer and I certainly wouldn't encourage you to tell lies that has been suggested here. As said, whether it's 'fair' or not is a subject for a different thread, but the Police have conviction rate targets, and sorry to say that if the slightest hint of an 'easy nick' comes their way, then generally it will be pounced upon...
That's just how it is.
I may or may not know this due to the experiences of a 'friend.'
The fact of the matter is that if the Police had any concrete evidence of an offence, you would have received far harsher treatment by now, and been 'invited' in for a formal interview. The consequences of which, depending upon your interview, your brief, and their evidence, would have resulted in either an unconditional discharge, being charged and getting bail, or retention at the station with further interviews, or their application to court for further time to interview, or worst of all an application to keep you on remand.
So it can snowball quickly if you're not careful.
However, from what I can gather from your OP, it sounds like a complaint has been made from a member of the public, where a Police officer or other official was not present to collect evidence.
Hence, if all the Police have is a 'complaint' from a third party, with no other evidence (which sounds like your case and which is why you've just been informally asked for a chat) then 'my friend's' experience is probably best followed.
Which is:
Conduct all discussions (whether voluntary and not under arrest, or more formally) at the Police station, on tape;
Initially, confirm only your name and address, and confirm your presence at the scene of the allegation if there are independent witnesses to your presence;
In the first instance, there is no need for a solicitor, just sit and listen to the full content of the allegation before commenting;
If it is clear that the only evidence is an un-substantiated or un-witnessed complaint from a third party - then now is the time to realise that actually, you have no recollection of any of these events at all, and that you have no idea what they are on about, sorry.
If the evidence is more substantial than that, then it is probably time to comment no further, and request legal counsel.
There may be other posters who might not agree - but as far as I know, this may be the best way to proceed, depending upon your own circumstances
Let us know what happens.
See what they have to say and seek proper legal advice if it is required.
Good luck
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