do the police have to tell u they are cops if you ask them?

Question

if undercover cops come around and u ask them if they are cops do they have to tell you?

Answer 1

JT is right. We do not have to identify ourselves as law enforcement officers unless we are making an arrest. And he is also right that entrapment has absolutey nothing to do with whether the officer identifies him or herself to you.

So many street-level lawyers...

Answer 2

In theory yes they do except where they feel that such an identification will put thier life at risk. In reality they will not and if confronted about it will lie in court. Who's word will the court take, the accused or the cop?

Even if you prove that the cop failed to identify themselves, were not in any danger if they did identify themselves and that they were attempting to entrap you. It would still be an uphill battle. Though entrapment is a legit means to beat a rap, but very very hard to prove and many juries will not accept it. The innocent till proven guilty is a tired joke in this country.

Cops even commit felonies on a reguler basis. The movie "Beyond the law" is based on a true story and the narc who busted those bikers committed dozens of felonies. The convictions were not overturned however. Best bet is if you are not sure don't deal with them. Besides, it's not the cops you have to worry about in any crimenal enterprise. Rats are who convict probably 3/4ths of those arrested. In other words the people you are with. One gets popped for something, then rolls over on everybody else.

Answer 3

I don't know what the law says, but if you ever watch COPS on TV when they are doing the undercover drug busts, some people ask if they are the police before they sell drugs to the guy, the cop always says no. After the transaction, the drug dealer always gets arrested.

Answer 4

No. I mean, really think about that logic. Why would the police bother to go undercover if all the crook had to do is say, "Are you a cop?" and the game is over???

"Golly gee, Mr. Crack dealer. I am a cop. Looks like ya got me! Go ahead and shoot me now. And you remember all that good evidence I had on ya! Don't even worry about it now, it's gone since you asked me if I was a cop."

Answer 5

Yes, they do. It's like an extension of Miranda Rights and $h!t. Before Miranda Rights, people would get bullied into confessing to crimes they didn't even commit. Similarly, police would go out undercover and set people up to make it look like they're doing a great job. The argument goes, however, that alleged criminals wouldn't participate in crimes if criminals weren't out there offering illegal opportunities.

So, for instance, if an undercover female officer asks some random dude if he'd like to have sex with her for money, maybe he never would have even considered it until she offered-- like, he only accepted because it was out there, and if the officer wasn't out, he never would have given any thought to prostution. That's why undercover officers now have strict guidelines monitored by wiretaps they have to follow before busting drug dealers, prostitutions, and the like.

It's sad, but it's actually to protect against police corruption.

Answer 6

I believe they have to tell you the truth , yes.
But , but , if you ask someone if they are a cop , they may answer as no , because it is slang.
The best move would be to ask them if they are a "Law Enforcing Agent/Person/Authority" as job titles vary , but cops , police , undercover agents are all Law Enforcing People.

Answer 7

No, they do not.

The only time they are required to identify themselves as police officers is when they are making an arrest, or detaining someone.

Entrapment has nothing to do with a police officer identifying himself as a police officer.

Entrapment is coercing or luring someone into doing something he would not normally do. Such as offering a person money to steal a car if he had not expressed any prior interest in stealing cars. But, entrapment only refers to government agents, you cannot be "entrapped" by a civilian.

Answer 8

Depends on the situation,
example
Are they undercover
is there an ongoing investigation
is there a warrant out for you
are they on duty
are you asking while engaging in illegal activity(clearly under influence, trying to buy drugs,solicit sex,etc.)

Answer 9

Yes, if they are wearing a wire they have to identify themselves otherwise they stand a chance of losing their case but if they are not wearing a wire and you get busted the cops will lie and say you never ask them to identify themselves

Answer 10

No - they do not have to disclose they are cops even when asked. Cops lie. They do have to identify themselves as cops (with an ID and badge) if they arrest you.