Know Your Rights When Dealing with Police

The ACLU is releasing a video today featuring Marlee Matlin. The Academy Award winner talks about the problems that deaf people have with the police because of communication barriers.

Marlee Matlin, who is Deaf actress and the wife of a police officer, teamed up with ACLU and advocacy group HEARD, on an American Sign Language video to ensure deaf people know their rights when interacting with law enforcement.

It's part of public education effort video, aims to ensure that deaf people know their rights, they can only do so much. It is the responsibility of police departments to ensure that their officers are adequately trained.

Marlee Matlin says, "Getting stopped by the police, even at a routine traffic stop, can be a scary experience. For those of us who are deaf or hard of hearing, it can be even scarier. When officers don’t realize we can’t hear them, it can lead to confusion or worse. As the wife of a law enforcement officer, as well as a deaf person, I know that police culture and deaf culture can be very different, and this video is here to bridge the gap." Watch the video below.


What are you doing if a Malaysian Police stopped you? Remember to understand your rights when you are dealing with Malaysia police... Please read the Red book - know your rights in Malaysia - here.

1. Stop the car and wind down your window.
2. Tell police officer about you are Deaf while you signed your ear don't hear.
3. If police do not understand it, you take out your pen and paper.
4. If the police officers ask for your documents, you request to see their IDs first. (Note his name and ID number on his uniform/ the number plate of the patrol car or motorcycle)
5. Ask them if you are being summoned, and for what offense.
6. Wait to collect your summon ticket

If the police officers ask you to follow them to the police station:

1. Ask if you are under arrest and for what offence.
2. If you are not under arrest, you have the right to leave and no need to follow the police.

If you are arrest, you must not let them take you to follow them, and you drive to the nearest police station and lodge a report.

• Ask them about where is the police station which near your place. Not follow them if you know where is the police station, especially for girls be safer.
• You have the right to telephone or use smartphone to call your interpreter and relative /friend; and a lawyer.

Always remember that you are calm down first and think what are you doing before you answer to the police...Do not let the police touch you if you are lady.
 
Read more info about KNOW YOUR RIGHTS IN MALAYSIA - here

Better to visit the Malaysian bar website to read the Red book - know your rights in Malaysia- here.