What Should I Bring?

So your thinking you want to be ready just in case you have to copwatch if something goes down while your out, but don't know what you should be carrying on you to make the situation work in your favour? As much just being present makes a differnce, there are a few key tools that will make a much bigger impact and help you help the person being violated. This guide should help you whether your out for a daily stroll, or your planning for a night dedicated to copwatching, best of luck to you! (section under construction)

WHAT TO BRING

  • Yourself! That is the most important thing obviously! Be ready at all times to be the best person you can be and help those being abused.
  • A notebook and a pen will be your best friend for writing down a detailed account of what happened, badge numbers and names of officers.
  • A camera is an excellent tool to document in sequence what happens at the scene, or even to take photos of badges and police vehicle numbers. It is legal to take photographs of the police, this is looked at more in the HOW TO section!
  • A video camera is such an important tool as it can capture exactly what happened in perfect fluent detail, many times video has been the key factor in the release of an innocent individual, or the suspension of a police officer.
  • A voice recorder is a hand inexpensive tool that is good for recording every word the police say. It is also an easy tool to hide!

WHAT NOT TO BRING 

  • Drugs and alcohol, it goes without saying that if your going to be confronting police officers your not going to want to be carrying any illegal substance on you, let alone when your on your own.
  • Weapons are a bad idea, because that makes copwatchers look bad, it makes us look like we are a threat, and it can cause you to aqquire some jail time. Keep all weapons at home, if even owning them at all. If you have a legal multi tool, let the police know right away if you become detained!
  • A bad attitude. It goes without saying that if you disrespect them, they will disrespect you. Keep on your toes and speak professionally with all police officers or else your task at hand will become much, much harder.