How to Respond to a Call From a Police Officer (What You Should Say and NOT Say)

When your phone displays a call from a local police department, your first instinct might be a mix of curiosity and anxiety. Police officers call for various reasons; you could be a potential witness, or they might be in the early stages of a criminal investigation where your name came up.

While it’s natural to want to know why they are calling, the most important thing is how you handle the conversation. What you say in those first few moments can have a lasting impact.

The bottom line is this: you are not legally obligated to answer questions from law enforcement over the phone. Police officers are skilled at gathering information, and anything you say can be used against you, even if your words seem harmless at the time. The best thing to do is remain polite, get the officer’s information, and immediately contact a criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights.

Key Takeaways

• Stay respectful, get their details, and end the call. Provide your name, but then politely ask for the officer’s name, department, and phone number.
• Do not answer questions or tell your side of the story. Politely state that you do not speak with law enforcement without your attorney present.
• Never lie or provide misleading information. It is a separate crime to give false information to the police. It is always better to remain silent.
• Hire a lawyer to speak on your behalf. An experienced attorney can find out why the police are calling without putting you at risk.

Why Would The Police Call Me??

Law enforcement officers from a local police department or other government agency don’t make random phone calls. If they contact you, it is for a specific reason, usually related to a criminal investigation.

Here are the most common reasons you might get a call:

• They see you as a witness. The police may think you have information about an incident or a crime scene and want to ask you questions.
• You are a potential suspect. Law enforcement might consider you a “person of interest.” They want to talk to you to gather enough evidence for probable cause to make an arrest or get a search warrant.
• They are trying to get you to talk. A phone call is an easy way for police to get you to make statements without a lawyer present. They hope to catch you off guard so you will share incriminating information or agree to come to the police station.

Ignoring police calls won’t make the situation go away. Officers may show up at your home or workplace. The correct approach isn’t to hide, but to handle the call correctly from the start.

What You Should Say

If a police officer calls, remember to stay calm and respectful. You can protect yourself without being confrontational.

1. Be Polite: Use “Yes, sir/ma’am” and “No, sir/ma’am.”
2. Get Their Information: Ask for the officer’s name, badge number, and the law enforcement agency they work for. Write it down.
3. Set Your Boundary: You can say, “I want to cooperate, but I don’t answer questions without my lawyer. I will have my attorney contact you.”
4. End the Call: Do not apologize or add any small talk. Just politely end the conversation.

This response shows you are taking the matter seriously while firmly exercising your right to remain silent.

What NOT to Say or Do

Police are trained to get people to talk. They can, and often do, lie or make promises they can’t keep to get you to make a statement.

• Do not answer any questions about an incident. Even if you believe you are innocent, do not try to explain what happened. Innocent people get accused of crimes all the time based on statements they thought were helpful.
• Do not lie. If you provide false information, you can face additional criminal charges. Silence is your best defense.
• Never agree to come to the police station. If a police officer wants you to come in to “clear things up,” they are trying to question you. If they have enough evidence to arrest you, they will come and get you. Do not go voluntarily.
• Do not consent to any searches. Police need a warrant to search your home, car, or phone. Don’t give them permission and waive your rights.

How a Criminal Defense Attorney Protects You

After you hang up with the police, your next call should be to a criminal defense attorney. When clients come to us in this situation, we contact the police on their behalf. This immediately stops the police from calling you.

We find out what the investigation is about and determine if you are a suspect or a witness. As former prosecutors, we know how law enforcement officers build their cases and the tactics they use to get a conviction. We use that insight to protect our clients.

We have represented police officers who have been involved in on-duty incidents. If an officer who knows the system immediately calls an attorney before speaking to investigators, you can be sure that is the right thing for you to do as well. An experienced lawyer ensures you don’t make a mistake that could cost you your freedom.

Take Control of the Situation

A call from the police is serious, but it doesn’t have to lead to a worst-case scenario. How you respond is the first step in protecting yourself. By being polite, brief, and immediately contacting a lawyer, you take control of the situation.

If you received a call from the police, contact Gunter, Bennett & Anthes. Our team of board-certified criminal law specialists has over 65 years of experience in Austin and Central Texas. We are available 24/7 to provide the aggressive representation you need.

Related Articles

• How to Get a DWI Dismissed in Texas: Chances and Defenses 
• DWI First Offense Texas: Consequences and Next Steps
• No Refusal Weekend in Texas
• How Much Does a Drug Possession Lawyer Cost
• How Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) Impacts a DWI or DUI in Texas

• How to clean your criminal record (and get it expunged!)