A crime is a serious offence such as murder or robbery.
A punishment is a
penalty imposed on somebody who is convicted of a crime. A punishment
could be, for example, time in prison or a fine.
There is an important difference between criminal law and civil law. Criminal
law deals with matters such as robbery or murder for which people can go to
jail. Civil law deals with matters such as business contracts or divorce. The
police are not normally involved in civil law.
Questions from law-breakers or suspected criminals
Why did you pull me over?
Have I done something wrong?
Is this illegal?
What are my rights?
Can I call a lawyer?
Where are you taking me?
Can I make a phone call?
Questions police may ask a suspected criminal
Are you carrying any illegal drugs?
Do you have a weapon?
Does this belong to you?
Whose car is this?
Where were you at eight last night?
Informing someone of laws and police procedures
You are under arrest.
Put your hands on your head.
I am taking you to the police station.
Please get in the police car.
You will have to pay a fine for this.
I will give you a warning this time.
I'm going to write you a ticket.
We'll tow your car to the station.
Smoking in restaurants is illegal in this country.
It is against the law to do drugs in public.
Questions tourists ask police
I'm lost. Can you help me find the Pacific Hotel?
I'm looking for the American Consulate / Embassy.
My luggage / suitcase was stolen. What should I do?
Who can we trust to exchange our money?
Where is the bad part of town?
Please help us. Our child is missing.
Questions police ask tourists
Which hotel are you staying at?
When did you lose your wallet?
How much money was in your purse?
What did the thief look like?
What was the man wearing?
Did he have a weapon?
Where/When did you last see your child?
How old is your child?
What was your child wearing?
Comforting a tourist in distress
Please stay calm. I am going to help you.
We will do everything we can.
I'll give you a map of the city.
Try not to panic.
I can give you a ride to the hospital.
The ambulance is on its way.
Don't worry, everything is going to be okay.
Sample Conversation
A Spanish police officer helps a British woman to find her missing child...
Woman: Help! Police!
Police: What's wrong?
Woman: My daughter is missing. I can't find her anywhere!
Police: Okay. Calm down. I'm going to help you find her. What's her name?
Woman: Erica. She's only five. She doesn't know how to speak Spanish!
Police: Okay. What does Erica look like?
Woman: She has brown curly hair. She's skinny and small for her age.
Police: Okay. What is she wearing today?
Woman: Blue shorts and a pink T-shirt. She has a hat on too, I think.
Police: How long ago did she go missing?
Woman: I've been looking for her for almost an hour now.
Police: And where did you last see her?
Woman: We were just shopping in the vegetable section. I turned around and
she was gone.
Police: Don't worry, everything is going to be okay.
Woman: What should I do?
Police: Stay right at the front of the store in case she comes looking for you.
We'll start looking for her now.
Pulling over drivers
Can I see your driver's licence and passport?
Have you been drinking tonight?
How much have you had to drink?
How fast do you think you were going?
Do you know what the speed limit is?
Is this a rental car?
You were driving too fast.
You broke the speed limit.
You were driving on the wrong side of the road.
You're driving the wrong way in a one-way street.
You were travelling too close to the car in front of you.
You cut off another car.
You didn't obey the traffic signals.
You aren't wearing your seatbelt.
You aren't allowed to park here.
I'm going to keep your driving licence and give you a ticket. You can go
to the police station to pay the fine. They will give your driving licence
back to you.
Questions police ask an injured driver
Are you hurt?
Can you stand up/move?
Where does it hurt most?
Don't worry. We've called an ambulance.
How did the accident happen?
Who was at fault?
What did the other car look like?
Is there someone you want to call?
Sample Conversation
A Japanese police officer pulls over an American driver on the highway for
speeding...
Police: Can I see your driver's license please?
Man: Ah, yeah. I think it's in my pocket. No. Maybe my wallet. Uh. Yeah here.
Police: Do you know how fast you were driving?
Man: No, sorry. It's a rental car. I'm not used to it.
Police: Have you been drinking tonight, Mr. Davidson?
Man: I had one or two drinks. I'm okay to drive, though. I know my limit.
Police: How long have you been in Japan?
Man: A few weeks, why?
Police: It seems you are unaware of our zero tolerance for drinking and
driving.
Man: I'm not drunk. I'll blow into a breathalizer.
Police: In Japan you cannot operate a vehicle after consuming any alcohol.
Man: Oh, I didn't know that.
Police: You were also going over the speed limit, Mr. Davidson. I'm going to
have to ask you to step out of your vehicle and get into my car.
Man: This is crazy. But what about my car?
Police: We'll have the rental car towed to the agency. When you're in our
country you have to respect our rules.
Questions police ask witnesses
Did you see what she was wearing?
Did he have a weapon?
Was the gun loaded?
What kind of car was the thief driving?
I will need to get a statement from you.
How long ago did this happen?
If you think of anything else, please notify us.
Description of a suspect
He was wearing sunglasses.
He had a mustache.
He had a beard.
She was dressed in black.
She had a baseball cap on.
She was wearing gloves.
Hair: short, long, shoulder length, curly, straight, spiky, brown, blond,
black, red, in a ponytail
Body: skinny, fat, chubby, medium build, muscular, tall, short, average
height
Sample Conversation
An ESL teacher working in Korea witnesses a bank robbery. The police
question her as a witness...
Police: I understand you were the key witness for the robbery.
Woman: Yes, I was the only other person in the bank besides the tellers.
Police: Are you okay to answer some questions for me?
Woman: Sure. I don't know how much help I'll be. He made me get on the
ground so I didn't get a very good look at him.
Police: Was he carrying a weapon?
Woman: Yes, he had a pistol in his back pocket. He threatened to use it, but I
doubt it was loaded.
Police: What makes you say that?
Woman: He was just a kid. Probably fifteen or younger.
Police: Can you describe him for me?
Woman: He was Asian. Probably five foot six. He was wearing a baseball cap
and sunglasses. I can't remember what else he was wearing.
Police: Did he talk directly to you? I mean, did he ask you for your money or
anything?
Woman: No, he just told me to get on the ground. That's all I know. I'm
running late for a class. Is it okay if I go now?
Police: I just want to get your name and phone number. If you think of
anything else, please notify us.
me and phone number. If you think of anything else, please notify us.
Asking for Identification (ID) and
Information - English for Police
Example Sentences
May I see some photo ID?
Can I see your passport?
Driver's license, please.
Do you have your birth certificate?
How long have you been in the country?
Are you here for a holiday?
Do you have another piece of ID?
ID is different in every country
It is important to keep in mind that every country requires different
documentation that proves someone's identification (ID). In many countries
such as Greece and Spain a national ID card is compulsory. Citizens are
expected to have these cards on them at all times. However, in other
countries ID cards are not required. Police and officials in these countries
often use another system to identify people, such as asking for two pieces of
ID.
Types of ID
Passport
Government-issued Photo ID card
Driving licence/Driver's license
Birth certificate
Permanent residence card
Social security card
Medical/Health card
Voter registration card
