Atlanta, Georgia

ANSWER: Stay calm. You have the right to remain silent. If you do speak to the police, do so carefully because anything you say may be used against you in court. Keep your hands where the police can see them. Avoid sudden movements and do not touch the police officers. Do not run or resist in any way, even if you're innocent or feel like the police are acting unfairly towards you.

a. Can the police arrest you for refusing to answer questions?

ANSWER: No, the police can't arrest you for refusing to answer their questions. You have the right to remain silent. This right is  protected by the U.S. Constitution and the State of Georgia.  However, the police can require you to identify yourself by saying your name if they have belieive you have committed a crime.  If you refuse to identify yourself, you can be arrested.

b. What if the officers do not identify themselves?

ANSWER: Atlanta police officers in uniform are supposed to tell you their name and badge number if you ask for this information. Undercover police officers (who are not in the police uniform) do not have to do this.f If an officer in uniform refuses to tell you their name and badge number, you can file a complaint with the law enforcement agency where that officer works. Here are instructions on how to file this complaint:

For the Atlanta Police Department, you can file a complaint online using the following link: https://www.atl311.com/apd.

For the Georgia State Patrol, you should file a "DPS Form 44" in person at 959 United Avenue SE, Atlanta, GA 30316 or by mail to PO Box 1456, Atlanta, GA, 30371. If you have questions, you can contact their phone number at +1 (404) 624-7700.

For the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, you may submit your complaint to the Office of Professional Standards by emailing them at  OPS@gbi.ga.gov or by calling them at +1 (404) 244-2600.

c. What if an officer just begins speaking to me but does not order me to do anything?

ANSWER: If an officer just begins speaking to you but does not order you to do anything, you have the right to remain silent. If you do speak and respond to the officer, do so carefully because anything you say may be used against you in court. If you'd like to levae the situation, but you're unsure if you are allowed to leave, you can always ask the police officer. The officer is required to let you leave unless they believe that you were involved in criminal activity, in which case they can hold you for a temporary period of time to conduct their investigation.  Terry vs. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1 (1968); Atlanta Police Department Policy Manual, ADP.SOP.3065.

d. What if the officer is not in uniform or identified as an officer but I think it is one?

ANSWER: If you think you have been approached by a police officer, but they aren't in uniform, you can always ask them if they are a police officer. Keep in mind that even if they say they aren't a police officer, they could just be undercover (not wearing a uniform). Undercover police officers do not need to identify themselves if it could mess with with a currentinvestigation. If you think you might be speaking to an undercover police officer, speak and act carefully because your words and actions may be used against you in court. Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966).

e. Can I tell the police I do not want to speak to them without a lawyer present?

ANSWER: Whenever you interact with the police, you have the right to remain silent.  If the police take you into custody (meaning you are not free to leave) and want to ask you questions, you also have the right to get an attorney at the expense of the state of Georgia.

f. If I sit down, am I resisting?

ANSWER: It depends. If an officer is trying to lawfully arrest you, you cannot make the arrest more difficult.  Ga. Code Ann. § 16-11-36.  If you have any doubt about whether sitting down would be considered resisting, you should ask the police officer if you can sit.

g. If I am stopped in a group, and some kids run, can I run?

ANSWER: It is not a good idea to run away from the police, even if others run. If the police are lawfully trying to stop you, it is against the law to obstruct or hinder them from doing so.  Running away could also escalate the interaction and put yourself or others in danger. If the police try to stop you, it is best to remain silent or ask if you are free to leave.

h. Can I tell others (siblings, for example) to run?

ANSWER: It is safest to not tell or encourage others to run from the police because this could worsen the interaction with the police and put yourself or others in danger. It is also against the law to obstruct or hinder the police from making a lawful stop and encouraging others to run could be construed as a violation of this law.

i.  If the officer's language is not my first language, can I tell them without waiving my rights?

ANSWER: Yes, you can tell a police officer that they are not speaking your first language and still remain silent afterwards. You can useyour right not to speak at any time.  If you are arrested or accused of a crime, the police must tell you the crime you are accused of committing in a language that you understand. If the police want to interrogate you, and English is not your first language, you can get an interpreter from the State of Georgia.

j. If I did not do anything, can they stop me?

ANSWER: Yes, if the police have reasonable suspicion to believe that you committed a crime, they can stop you. However, if you did not do anything wrong, the police generally can't make you to stop and stay with them for an extended period of time. If you are unsure about whether you are required to stay with the police, ask them if you are free to leave. If they say no, it is typically best to remain silent and avoid escalating the situation. 

The police are required to get a search warrant before searching you or your surroundings.  However, there are exceptions to this warrant requirement, including the following:

• If you voluntarily consent to a search. If evidence of a crime is in the direct eyesight of an officer.If the police are arresting someone and it's allowed by law, they can also search the person or the area nearby.  If the police need to search right away and there's no time to get permission from a judge.
• The police can search your car if they have  believe it have evidence of a crime.

a. What if they want to search my phone?

ANSWER: Without a warrant, the police typically cannot search your phone.The U.S. Supreme Court says people have a strong right to keep the information on their phones private, even if they get arrested.   There's a small exception to the rule. If your phone has something really dangerous on it — like a code that could set off a bomb — the police might be allowed to look at it without asking a judge first. 

b. What if they ask me for my password to my phone?

ANSWER: If the police ask for your phone password, you do not have to give it to them. Phones have private information, and the Supreme Court of the United States has established a strong interest in protecting such privacy.  Phone searches normally require a warrant.  Georgia law also says students have an another layer of privacy protection of the photos and text messages on their phones. So, if you're a student, it is even more difficult for the police to legally search your phone.

c. What if they tell me to give them my password or other access to my phone?

ANSWER: If the police ask for your phone password, you do not have to give it to them. Phones have private information, and this information being private and protected is a right. Phone searches normally require a warrant from a judge or magistrate. If there is a strong enough need to search your phone, such as a threat to life or property, the police may be able to take your phone and later obtain a limited warrant to search for specific evidence. The Georgia legislature has also established that students have an additional layer of privacy protection of the photos and text messages on their phones so, if you're a student it is even more difficult for the police to legally search your phone.  If the police ask for your password, you should tell them, "I do not consent to this search."

d. Do I have to give them my device password if they demand it from me if I am not under arrest? What if they just ask for it?

ANSWER: Even if the police demand you to give them your device password, you are not required to do so. Phone searches almost always require a warrant and, without one, you do not need to consent to the search. If the police believe there is a strong enough need to search your phone, such as a threat to life or property, the police may be able to take your phone and later obtain a limited warrant to search for specific evidence.

e. What tools can police use to search me? What technology can they use in this process? (Facial recognition, hidden cameras, finger print searches, etc.)

ANSWER: The use of technology by the police to conduct and help with searches has become more common in recent years, but there are limitations to what technology the police can use. The police are generally not allowed to use overly intrusive ways to conduct a search if a less intrusive means can bring the same result. Whether the police are permitted to use certain technologies will typically depend on whether the interest in protecting public safety outweighs one's right to a reasonable amount of privacy. For example, the police can typically use body cameras, CCTV or microphones to record interactions they have with individuals they encounter in public. They may not be able to use technology to decodea phone password to read text messages or to record private conversations people are having in their home, because those are situations in which people expect a reasonable amount of privacy.

f. Can the police search my backpack or other items I am carrying?

ANSWER: No, the police cannot search your backpack or other items that you're carrying unless they have a warrant or some exception to the warrant requirement applies. One common exception is a search incident to an arrest, which allows the police to search areas within your control or surrounding following an arrest. For example, if an officer sees you shoplifting, they can search your backpack at the time of an arrest for the stolen goods. If you are unsure whether the police are allowed to search your backpack, you should tell the officers that you do not consent to the search. This will increase the chance that any evidence they find will be validin court. 

g. Can they take my picture or record me?

ANSWER: It depends on the circumstances. If you are in a place where you would have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as your home, you can ask the police not to take your picture or record you. However, if you are in a public place where you can be easily seen or your conversations easily heard, such as a sidewalk or a park, the police can freely take your picture and/or record you. Police often do this by wearing body cameras or using dash cams on their patrol vehicles. Lawmakers in Georgia are currently asking for laws that require all police officers to wear body cameras while on duty.

ANSWER: The police may arrest you (1) if they see you commit a crime, (2) if they have "probable cause" to believe that you committed a crime or (3) if they have a warrant for your arrest. The police candetain you if they have "reasonable suspicion"  and believe that you have committed a crime. If you are detained, the police cannot hold you for an unreasonable amount of time -- only enough time to investigate their reasonable suspicion that you committed a crime.  After conducting their investigation, it is possible that the police may find probable cause and then arrest you.

a. What if I did not do anything illegal, do I have to speak with the police and answer their questions?

ANSWER: The police can ask you questions, but you do not have to answer because you have the right to remain silent.  If the police have a reasonable suspicion that you have committed a crime, they can stop you and require you to identify yourself.  If this happens to you, you are only required to give your name and/or show your ID. Otherwise, you have the right to remain silent.

b. What if they tell me something they are investigating that is wrong? Can I correct them?

ANSWER: Usually, the safest thing to do in this scenario is to remain silent. However, if you notice that the police have inaccurate facts in their investigation, you can correct them if you think it may help your case.  If you do speak with the police, do so carefully because anything you say may be used against you in court.  Even if you do briefly provide the police with the correct information, you have the right to stop speaking at any time.

c. What if an officer just begins speaking to me but does not order me to do anything?

ANSWER:  If an officer begins speaking to you, but does not order you to do anything, you do not need to respond. To invoke your right to remain silent, you can simply tell the police that you do not wish to respond to any of their questions.

If you'd like to leave the situation, but you are unsure whether you are allowed to leave, you can ask and if the officer says yes, calmly walk away.  If the officer says that you are not free to leave, ask the officer if you are under arrest.  If the officer says you are under arrest, they are required to tell you the reason why.

d. What is the legal difference between talking to them if they do not tell me I am under arrest, versus after they inform me that I am under arrest?

ANSWER: If a police officer arrests you and wants to ask you questions, they must inform you (1) of your right to remain silent, (2) that anything you say can be used against you in court, and (3) that you have the right to an attorney.  These rights are often referred to as your "Miranda" rights. Regardless of whether the police inform you of your Miranda rights, you have the right to remain silent and the police cannot force you to speak with them.However, the right to an attorney typically arises only after an arrest. If you cannot afford an attorney, one can be assigned to you from  the state of Georgia. 

ANSWER: If the police have reasonable suspicion to believe that you committed a crime, they can tell you to stop and stay with them. However, if the police have no reason to believe you did anything wrong, they typically cannot order you to stop.  If you are unsure whether you are required to stay with the police, ask them if you are free to leave.  If they say no, it is typically best to remain silent and avoid escalating the situation. When the police ask you to do something, you typically have the option to do what they are request.  Even in these situations, beware of what you say to the police because anything you say may be used against you in court.   It is typically best to ask the police if you are free to leave and, if they say no, remain silent and avoid escalating the situation.

a. What is the difference between the police deciding to search me (phone, person, backpack) and me agreeing to the search?

ANSWER: If the police have a search warrant, they may search you, your home and/or your belongings, depending on the scope of the warrant.  Without a warrant, if the police ask to search your home, car or belongings, you may refuse.  If you freely and voluntarily give your consent, the police are allowed to conduct the search.

The police may also stop you to ask questions and search you if they have reasonable suspicion and believe that you are carrying weapons. If they pat you down and find other illegal contraband, they may seize it and, if it is illegal, they can potentially arrest you.

b. What if they tell me to give them information versus them asking and me providing answers voluntarily?

ANSWER: Police officers do not need a warrant to arrest you. The police can arrest you (1) if they see you commit a crime; (2) if they have probable cause to believe that you committed a crime; or (3) if they have an immediate need to prevent you from harming yourself or others. \

a. If I did not do anything, can the police stop me?

ANSWER: Typically, if you did not do anything wrong, the police are not allowed to stop you. However, if an officer suspects that you committed a crime or could be armed and dangerous, they may briefly stop you to investigate.  ]You have the right to remain silent during this stop. U.S. Constitution, Fifth Amendment; Georgia Constitution, Article 1, Section 1, Paragraph XVI.  If you feel that you have been unlawfully stopped, you can ask the police to explain why they have stopped you or ask if you are free to leave. Under most circumstances, if you did not do anything wrong, and you should be allowed to leave.

b. Can I ask for the reason the police stopped me?

c. ANSWER: Yes, you can ask the police officers for the reason they stopped you. The officers must have a valid reason to stop you, but they are not legally required to tell you the reason.  However, if the officer says you are under arrest, they are required to tell you the reason why.Can I advocate for another young person stopped by the police if we are stopped together?

ANSWER: You can advocate for another young person that is stopped by the police, but do so carefully. It could be helpful to tell the young person that they have the right to remain silent, so that they do not incriminate themselves. Be careful not to obstruct the police from lawfully conducting their official duties, which is a crime in Georgia. 

d. If I think the stop is unjustified, what can I do?

ANSWER: If you think you've been stopped unjustifiably by the police, you should ask the police why they stopped you and also ask for the name and badge number of any involved officers. On-duty police officers are supposed to provide this information if requested. Try to remember or write down as many details about the incident as possible. After the stop, you can submit a complaint with the law enforcement agency that employs the officer (details for filing a complaint are set forth below).law enforcement agency that employs the officer (details for filing a complaint are set forth below).

For the Atlanta Police Department, you can file a complaint online using the following link: https://www.atl311.com/apd.

For the Georgia State Patrol, you should file a "DPS Form 44" in person at 959 United Avenue SE, Atlanta, GA 30316 or by mail to PO Box 1456, Atlanta, GA, 30371. If you have questions, you can contact their phone number at +1 (404) 624-7700.

For the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, you may submit your complaint to the Office of Professional Standards at OPS@gbi.ga.gov or by phone at +1 (404) 244-2600.

Even if you stopped unjustifiably, try to stay calm and keep your hands where the police can see them. You should also remain silent.  The only thing you should ask is you are free to leave and if the officer says yes, calmly and silently walk away.

e. Can I get the officer's identifying information for a future complaint?

ANSWER: If you plan to file a complaint against an officer, you should write down as much as possible about your interaction with the police, including the involved officers' badge and patrol car numbers, name tags and/or vehicle license plate numbers. On-duty police officers are supposed to provide their name and badge number if you ask. .

ANSWER: An arrest is typically deemed to have occurred if you are in police custody (meaning you are not free to leave) and a reasonable person in your shoes would not feel free to leave.  If you have any doubt, you can always ask the police officer if you're under arrest and they legally need to tell you.

If the following happens, you are probably under arrest:

• an officer handcuffs you;
• an officer forcibly holds you down;
• an officer puts you into the back seat of a police car; or
• an officer warns you about your rights.

An officer only has to warn you of your rights before they question you. This means that an officer can arrest you before warning you of your rights.

a. What if I do not know if I am under arrest?

ANSWER: When you're under arrest, the police will typically handcuff you and tell you that you are under arrest. If the police have stopped you and you do not know if you are under arrest or not, you can ask them. No matter the situation, you do not have to speak with the police or answer any of their questions.

b. What is the difference between detention and arrest?

ANSWER: A detention is a brief stop that can only last for a reasonable amount of time necessary for the police to investigate potential criminal activity. The police can detain you if they have reasonable suspicion to believe that you have committed a crime. A detention does not automatically result in an arrest.

In contrast, an arrest will last much longer than a detention.  After the arrest, they can also require you to go through intake procedures, such as booking, fingerprinting and photographing.  If the police want to ask you questions, they must inform you of your Miranda rights (1) of your right to remain silent, (2) that anything you say can be used against you in court, and (3) that you have the right to an attorney.   After an arrest, you are entitled to an attorney and should ask to contact a lawyer as soon as possible and, in particular, before speaking to the police.  If you ask for an attorney, police questioning must stop unless and until permission is given by your attorney.

c. If I am handcuffed, am I arrested?

ANSWER: Most likely if you are handcuffed, you are arrested. Any time you are arrested, you will be placed in handcuffs but just because you are handcuffed, it doesn't necessarily mean that you're under arrest.  For example, police officers may, in some circumstances, put you in handcuffs if they believe that it's necessary to protect themselves or others from harm and may be a risk of flight during an investigative detention.

d. If my liberty is restricted, am I under arrest?

ANSWER:  Not necessarily. Officers may briefly detain you to do an investigation if they reasonably suspect that you committed a crime. If you are under arrest, the officer is supposed to tell you that you are under arrest. If you have any doubt whether you are under arrest, you can always ask the police officer.

e. Can I get the officer's identifying information for a future complaint?

ANSWER: If you feel that you've been unjustifiably arrested or detained by the police, you can submit a complaint about it to the police station that employs the officer. You'll want to include as much detail as possible about the interaction in your complaint. To do so, during the interaction with the police, you should ask the police officers for their name and badge numbers, and they are supposed to provide this information to you.  Try to also remember and write down as many other details as you can about the interaction.  Try to also remember and write down as many other details as you can about the interaction.

ANSWER: If the police hold you within their custody and want to ask you questions, they must inform you of your Miranda rights: (1) of your right to remain silent, (2) that anything you say can be used against you in court, and (3) that you have the right to an attorney. In these circumstances, it is recommended that you tell the police officers that you are "choosing to remain silent and want to speak to an attorney."

a. How do things change if I am read my rights by police?

ANSWER: If the police place you in custody (meaning you are not free to leave), and want to ask you questions, they must inform you of your Miranda rights: (1) of your right to remain silent, (2) that anything you say can be used against you in court, and (3) that you have the right to an attorney.

You always have the right to remain silent, whether the police have read you your Miranda rights or not. If you are placed in custody and the police want to question you, you are entitled to an attorney and if you cannot afford one, an attorney will be appointed to represent you. The questioning must stop unless your attorney gives the police permission to continue speaking with you.

b. Does it matter where I am when the police read me my rights? (street, station, police car, etc.)

ANSWER: Police officers are required to recite the Miranda warning to any suspect that is in police custody or is subject to interrogation, regardless of the severity of the charge or location of the arrest.

ANSWER: You are not required to make a statement, answer police questions or participate in a police investigation, and you never have to go anywhere with the police unless they have arrested you. If the police have arrested you and you are under the age of 18, they are required to make a reasonable attempt to notify your parent, caretaker or legal guardian. If you are placed in custody and the police want to question you, you are entitled to an attorney and if you cannot afford one, an attorney will be appointed by the state of Georgia to represent you. The questioning or interrogation must stop unless your attorney gives them permission to continue.

a. Am I required to make a statement?

ANSWER: No, you have the right to remain silent, which means you do not have to speak with the police or answer any of their questions. If you are placed in custody and the police want to question you, you are entitled to an attorney.  If you cannot afford one, an attorney will be appointed to represent you, paid for by the State of Georgia. If you invoke your right to an attorney, the questioning or interrogation must stop unless permission to continue questioning you is given by the attorney to the police. 

b. Must police notify my guardian?

ANSWER: If you are taken into custody and under 18 years old, law enforcement must make a reasonable attempt to notify your parent or guardian. If they are unable to reach your parent or guardian, you may be questioned and can provide a statement, but you are not required to do so. You have the right to remain silent, which means you do not have to speak with the police or answer any of their questions.

c. Do I have to confess?

ANSWER: No, you don't have to confess. You can refuse to answer any of their questions, refuse to make statements that could be used against you and/or refuse to testify at a trial in any criminal case.  The safest thing to do if asked to confess is to just remain silent. If you are placed in custody and the police want to question you, you are entitled to an attorney and if you cannot afford one, an attorney will be appointed to represent you.  If you invoke you right to an attorney, the questioning or interrogation must stop unless permission to continue is given by the attorney..

d. What adults can I ask to be with me?

ANSWER: If you are under 18 years of age and you are accused of a crime and the police want to question you, you have the right to have a parent or a legal guardian present during the questioning, as well as an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to represent you. You should not speak to the police without at least one of these adults present. 

e. Who do police have to contact if I am a legal minor (under 18 years old)?

ANSWER: If you are taken into custody and under 18 years old, the police must make a reasonable attempt to notify your parent, guardian or legal custodian as soon as possible. If you are placed in custody and the police want to question you, you are also entitled to an attorney. If you request an attorney, all questioning must immediately stop until you have the opportunity to talk with an attorney.

ANSWER: If you are placed in custody and the police want to question you, you are entitled to an attorney and you should request one immediately. If you do not have a lawyer, you can request one by reaching out to the Fulton County Public Defender's Office, Juvenile Division at +1 (404) 613-2232. If you request an attorney, all questioning must immediately stop until you have the opportunity to talk with an attorney.

a. What if I am just a witness?

ANSWER: If the police want to question you as a witness, you have the right to have an attorney present, but you will need to pay for the attorney yourself. Remember, you do not need to speak to the police, even as a witness – you always have the right to remain silent. If you do insist on speaking to the police, it is strongly recommended to have an attorney present.

If you do come forward as a witness to a crime, then you may be ordered to come to court to testify. You will be asked to swear under oath that what you say is true. Making a false sworn statement that you do not believe to be true is known as perjury, which is also a crime. Even if you testify in court, you are generally not entitled to an attorney as a witness, unless you are accused of a crime.

b. What if I can't afford a lawyer?

ANSWER: If you are accused of a crime and the police want to question you, you have the right to have a parent or a legal guardian present during the questioning (if you are under 18 years of age), as well as an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed by the state of Georgia to represent you. You should not speak to the police without at least one of these adults present.

ANSWER: In general, police officers are supposed to tell the truth when they are on duty, but they can use deception during the course of their criminal investigations. For example, the police can use deception as part of an undercover operation, or they can lie about the strength of their criminal case and particular evidence in an attempt to get you to talk more.

a. Can the police lie to me?

ANSWER: Yes, police officers are generally allowed to deceive you during their investigation of you to gather information and evidence. For example, the police may bluff and pretend that they have more information about a case than they do in order to obtain information or a confession. However, the police cannot physically hurt you, threaten you or use drugs to try to make you confess to something or to obtain information from you. If the police want to talk to you, it is usually safest to just remain silent.

b. Do I have to tell the police the truth?

ANSWER: You do not have to speak to the police because you have the right to remain silent. However, if you speak to the police, you should always tell the truth; lying or concealing material facts from the police is a crime. 

REMEDIES: There are several ways to file a complaint against law enforcement if you feel your rights have been violated. Before making a complaint, write down as much as you can about the event, such as the police officer's name, badge number, agency name and the names of potential witnesses. If you're injured, seek medical attention and take photographs of your injuries. The officer is required to tell you their name and badge number when they are speaking with you.

You will need to submit the complaint to the law enforcement agency that employs the officer that violated you rights. Below are instructions for making complaints to the law enforcement offices in the state of Georgia:

• For the Atlanta Police Department, you can file a complaint online using the following link: https://www.atl311.com/apd
• For the Georgia State Patrol, you should file a "DPS Form 44" in person at 959 United Avenue SE, Atlanta, GA 30316 or by mail to PO Box 1456, Atlanta, GA, 30371. If you have questions, you can contact their phone number at +1 (404) 624 7700.
• For the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, you may submit your complaint to the Office of Professional Standards at OPS@gbi.ga.gov or by phone at +1 (404) 244-2600.

If you feel your rights violation was severe enough, you can also consider the possibility of filing a lawsuit in court against the police. If you think you have a case, you can contact an attorney who is licensed to practice law in the state of Georgia. Most law firms that practice in the area of civil rights or police misconduct will offer a free case evaluation.

REMEDIES: If you include your name and contact information in the complaint, you should receive a response from the investigating agency. If the agency feels that the complaint warrants further investigation, you may be asked to provide a more detailed statement. The investigation process can take anywhere from weeks to several months, depending on the department and the complexity of the case. If the investigators determine that there was a violation, they may take disciplinary action against the officer, such as placing him on leave or potentially terminating his employment with the police force. 

REMEDIES: After you receive a decision on your complaint, you can still file a lawsuit against the police for violating your rights. If you think you have a case, you can contact an attorney who is licensed to practice law in Georgia. Most law firms that practice in the area of civil rights or police misconduct will offer a free case evaluation.

REMEDIES: You have several options you could exercise if you feel you were a victim of discrimination or racism.

You can file a complaint with the law enforcement agency that employs the officer that violated your rights. Before making a complaint, write down as much as you can about the event, such as the police officer's name, badge number, agency name and the names of potential witnesses. Below are instructions for making complaints to law enforcement offices in the state of Georgia:

• For the Atlanta Police Department, you can file a complaint online using the following link: https://www.atl311.com/apd
• For the Georgia State Patrol, you should file a "DPS Form 44" in person at 959 United Avenue SE, Atlanta, GA 30316 or by mail to PO Box 1456, Atlanta, GA, 30371. If you have questions, you can contact their phone number at +1 (404) 624 7700.
• For the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, you may submit your complaint to the Office of Professional Standards at OPS@gbi.ga.gov or by phone at +1 (404) 244-2600.

You can also explore the possibility of filing a lawsuit in court against the police officer(s). If you think you have a case, you can contact an attorney who is licensed to practice law in Georgia. Most law firms that practice in the area of civil rights or police misconduct will offer a free case evaluation.

REMEDIES: If you are the subject of discrimination, you can file the complaint with the law enforcement agency that employs the relevant officer. Below are instructions for making complaints to the main law enforcement offices in the state of Georgia:

• For the Atlanta Police Department, you can file a complaint online using the following link: https://www.atl311.com/apd
• For the Georgia State Patrol, you should file a "DPS Form 44" in person at 959 United Avenue SE, Atlanta, GA 30316 or by mail to PO Box 1456, Atlanta, GA, 30371. If you have questions, you can contact their phone number at +1 (404) 624 7700.
• For the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, you may submit your complaint to the Office of Professional Standards at OPS@gbi.ga.gov or by phone at +1 (404) 244-2600.

The City of Atlanta also has a Human Relations Commission (HRC) to promote mutual respect and understanding within the city of Atlanta. The HRC investigates and hears complaints regarding discrimination, makes recommendations on how to resolve such complaints, and initiates activities in keeping with its mission.

To file a complaint with the HRC, download the complaint form available here. Completed complaint forms may be submitted in one of the following ways: 

• Email – Send to hrc@atlantaga.gov
• Online – Please visit ATL311 web portal and type "Discrimination Complaint" in the search field. Please be sure to upload/attach your completed complaint form with your submission
• Mail – ATTN: The Office of Constituent Services, 55 Trinity Ave, SW, Suite 1920, Atlanta, GA 30303
• In person – Hand deliver to the Office of Constituent Services

REMEDIES: If you are the subject of discrimination, you can file the complaint with the law enforcement agency that employs the relevant officer.  Below are instructions for making complaints to the main law enforcement offices in the state of Georgia:

• For the Atlanta Police Department, you can file a complaint online using the following link: https://www.atl311.com/apd
• For the Georgia State Patrol, you should file a "DPS Form 44" in person at 959 United Avenue SE, Atlanta, GA 30316 or by mail to PO Box 1456, Atlanta, GA, 30371. If you have questions, you can contact their phone number at +1 (404) 624 7700.
• For the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, you may submit your complaint to the Office of Professional Standards at OPS@gbi.ga.gov or by phone at +1 (404) 244-2600.

The City of Atlanta also has a Human Relations Commission (HRC) to promote mutual respect and understanding within the city of Atlanta. The HRC investigates and hears complaints regarding discrimination, makes recommendations on how to resolve such complaints, and initiates activities in keeping with its mission.

To file a complaint with the HRC, download the complaint form available here.  Completed complaint forms may be submitted in one of the following ways: 

• Email – Send to hrc@atlantaga.gov
• Online – Please visit ATL311 web portal and type "Discrimination Complaint" in the search field. Please be sure to upload/attach your completed complaint form with your submission
• Mail – ATTN: The Office of Constituent Services, 55 Trinity Ave, SW, Suite 1920, Atlanta, GA 30303
• In person – Hand deliver to the Office of Constituent Services

You can also consult an attorney about filing a lawsuit against the police. Most law firms in the state of Georgia that practice in the area of civil rights or police misconduct will offer a free case evaluation.

REMEDIES: If you feel the police performed an improper search and you end up facing criminal charges, your attorney can make this argument in court, which can potentially help to have the case dismissed or the charges reduced. If the court finds that the search was unlawful, any evidence discovered by the police in connection with the search will be inadmissible (not valid and can't be used) in court.

You can also file a complaint to the law enforcement agency that employs the officer that you feel violated your rights, which could result in disciplinary action against the officer. Before making any complaint, write down as much as you can about the event. Important details include the police officer's name, badge number, agency name and the names of potential witnesses. Below are instructions for making complaints to the main law enforcement offices in the state of Georgia:

• For the Atlanta Police Department, you can file a complaint online using the following link: https://www.atl311.com/apd
• For the Georgia State Patrol, you should file a "DPS Form 44" in person at 959 United Avenue SE, Atlanta, GA 30316 or by mail to PO Box 1456, Atlanta, GA, 30371. If you have questions, you can contact their phone number at +1 (404) 624 7700.
• For the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, you may submit your complaint to the Office of Professional Standards at OPS@gbi.ga.gov or by phone at +1 (404) 244-2600.

You can also consult an attorney about filing a lawsuit in court against the police officer(s).  Most law firms in the state of Georgia that practice in the area of civil rights or police misconduct will offer a free case evaluation.