Everyone taking part in demonstrations and protests is a legal observer, with responsibility for witnessing and recording events as they happen. However some individuals may prefer to take on the role of legal observer as a support role.
Pen, spare pens, paper
Watch
Clipboard, camera, dictaphone. (optional)
Dress appropriately for the action. Smart dress and an efficient attitude will
help too.
Know your rights and have a good grasp of the Public Order Act. Know what is
AND ISN'T illegal.
Get close to the action.
If you are at the back of the crowd or corralled away from the action by police,
you will not see anything. Getting close may mean you are committing the same
offence as the other activists (eg obstruction of the highway). You may choose
to wear some form of identification (an armband or bib with 'legal observer'
written on it). This may help reduce the risk of being charged with an offence,
but will certainly not make you immune to arrest, or rough handling by police.
Take notes constantly, even if nothing much is happening. Write the time next to every new note.
Assaults/arrests
Victims name and/or nickname
Time of assault/arrest
Name, description and number (if police) of assaulter/arresting officer. Get
a photo too if possible.
Make a note of how any injury was sustained / arrest occurred.
Collect details of any witnesses, especially contact details
If an assault case is to be followed up, injuries must be seen by a doctor asap.
Make sure everyone gets the number of the campaign's solicitor.
In assault cases - hassle the police to make an immediate arrest of the assaulter.
Find out the reason for the arrest and what station they are being taken to.
If the officer won't tell you directly - get the arrested person to ask the
police instead. The police have to tell the detainee if they are being arrested
and the reason why- they have to do this or the arrest is invalid.
Find out the name the detainee will be using at the station - this may differ
from the name they usually use.
General police mistreatment, including mistreatment of press.
Confiscation of belongings and any reasons given.
Deliberate damage to protesters' property.
Names of officers in charge.
Registration numbers of police vehicles.
Stay calm at all times.
Be assertive. You will be cramping the police's style if you are being effective
and this will annoy them. They will try and get rid of you.
Retain your impartiality at all times. You cannot suddenly start getting involved in the action!
Avoid dealing with aggressive police officers. Always demand to talk to the
officer in charge. There's little point in negotiating with a low ranked riot
cop. Stay where you are and insist the officer is brought to you.
They may try and escort you off, or threaten you with arrest.
They usually warn you before actually arresting you.
Set your own limits in advance with regard to how pushy you will be.
For legal advice contact the Activist Legal Project 01865 243 772
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