Know Your Rights
This page is dedicated to informing you about your rights when interacting with the police.
It features a series of informative videos designed to provide you with knowledge and confidence in various situations.
Know Your Rights
This page provide clear and concise information about your rights when interacting with the police.
The Commissioner is committed to ensuring that the residents of Derbyshire and Derby City feel informed and secure when dealing with the police. Explore this collection of videos that cover a range of topics related to police interactions. Each video is accompanied by a brief summary to help you quickly understand the key points.
Please note that the information in these videos are solely to provide a brief overview of your rights and responsibilities. It is not legal advice, if you need more details on your rights or legal advice about what action to take, please contact a solicitor.
Video funded by Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner
E-Scooters
Understand the law around the use of privately owned e-scooters
Privately-owned e-scooters are illegal to use in public areas
E-Scooters are classed as motor vehicles under the law. To ride legally on public roads, footpaths, or in parks, you’d need a licence, insurance, and tax. These are not available for private e-scooters.
Riding a privately owned e-scooter could see you facing prosecution
Police powers under the Road Traffic Act 1988 and Police Reform Act 2002 allow seizure if a vehicle is unlicensed, uninsured or causing alarm or nuisance.
Derbyshire Constabulary seize and dispose on first interaction
In Derbyshire, Police can and will seize, and dispose of, any privately owned e-scooter being used illegally.
Stop and Search
Understand your rights during a stop and search.
Reasonable Grounds for the Search
Such as: drugs, a weapon, stolen property or something that could be used to commit a crime.
Information provided to you
The Police Officer should provide their name, station, the grounds for the search and why they are legally allowed to search you.
Right to Request a Record of the Search
You have the right to request a record of the search, the officer will provide you with information for how to go about this.
Video courtesy of Christian Weaver
Video courtesy of Christian Weaver
Traffic Stop
Understand when the police and pull you over.
Being pulled over by the Police
The Police can pull you over for any reason, even in an unmarked car, but the Police Officer must be in uniform.
What you are required to present
You will be required to provide a driving licence, and evidence of insurance and MOT, if you don’t have these you must take these to a police station within 7 days, if told to do so.
Vehicle Defect Rectification Notice
If the police notice a defect with your vehicle, they can give you a Vehicle Defect Rectification Notice which must be rectified and a receipt from a mechanic taken to a police station within 14 days.
Fixed Penalty Notices
Understand what fixed penalty notices are and when they are issued.
What is a Fixed Penalty Notice?
A Fixed Penalty Notice is an administrative alternative to prosecution before the magistrates’ court which includes a fine and in most cases penalty points too.
The types of Fixed Penalty Notice
There are two types of FPN. Non-endorsable FPNs do not give you points , but will give you a fine, these can be given for a failure to wear a seatbelt. Endorsable FPNs give you points and a fine, these can be given for speeding or careless driving.
Fixed Penalty Notice Process
If you pay the fine, and accept the points, you won’t need to go to court. If you fail to pay in the 28 day period the fine will be increased by 50%.