Home > Legal issues > Crime > Dealing with the police

Dealing with the police

When dealing with the police it is important to remember that you have rights and responsibilities. You can avoid problems if you are sensible and keep your cool.

If the situation gets out of control, stay calm, remember your rights and get legal advice quickly. You can get free legal advice from Victoria Legal Aid or a community legal centre.

This section includes information about:

  • speaking to the police and answering their questions
  • being searched in a public place or at a police station
  • your rights if you are arrested and taken into custody
  • having your fingerprints or samples taken from your body, such as hair or saliva
  • signing police papers
  • how to make a complaint if you think you have been treated unfairly
  • information about your criminal record the police may release to others.

More information

The pages in this section are listed in the navigation on the left. Other pages that relate to the police are:

Complaints about police

Drunkenness offences – police & court procedures

The police & family violence

Youth issues – Young people & the police

Youth issues – Security guards & transport inspectors

Related publications

Am I old enough?

Your rights: police powers in Victoria

How we can help

Call Victoria Legal Aid’s (VLA) Legal Information Service for free information over the phone about the law and how we can help you with your legal problem. You can speak to a legal information officer in English or ask for an interpreter. Phone (03) 9269 0120 or 1800 677 402 (country callers), Monday to Friday from 8.45 am to 5.15 pm.

VLA’s other free legal services include:

  • advice at VLA offices and other locations across Victoria
  • advice at many correctional facilities, remand and detention centres
  • lawyers who are on ‘duty’ to help at many courts and tribunals.

For some criminal law matters we can provide you with a lawyer to help you run your case.

To find out more about any of our legal services see What we do.

Who else can help?

Your local community legal centre (CLC) can give you legal information and advice. Most CLC services are free. See the Community Law website (new window) for more information and CLC contact details.