Dos and Don'ts: Police

No one wants to experience it, but there may be occasions when you have to deal with the police when living abroad. In the Czech Republic, the possibility might fill you with dread because of the country’s past or your awareness of the reputation police officers have among locals. The reality, as ever, is more complicated.

On the Street
From my interactions with the police, and what I’ve observed of them in the center of Prague, their negative reputation as dimwitted and cold isn’t always true. Around Old Town and Malá Strana, I’ve noticed officers giving directions to people…yes, even in English.

Even if you have to deal with the police because of a serious matter, they try to overcome language barriers. A few years back an ‘enthusiastic football fan’ kicked me in the knee with what felt like a steel capped boot while I was on the way home from the bus station, carrying a bag in each hand. It was after a football match, so the police following the group of ‘fans’ responded immediately. When I went to the police station to give my statement, they tried to find someone who spoke English, though in the end it was easier in Czech. If I have one complaint about the experience, apart from the sore knee, it was a certain lack of organization on the side of the police. From this experience, I would say the authorities tried to be helpful but a degree of patience was necessary.

Show us Your Papers
There can be occasions when the police will seem impolite as a matter of course. This is when they ask you to produce some form of ID, either a passport or an ID card. According to Czech law, a police officer has the right to demand proof of identity as this recent ‘crackdown’ illustrates.

No ID, No Luck
I contacted the police to ask them what would happen if a person doesn’t have their passport, since most people are not used to carrying it and would tend to leave it at home. The police spokeswoman, Kateřina Rendlová, provided the following response:

Rendlová also said that the police do not accept photocopies of passports. About the only positive is that these checks seem fairly infrequent.

Your Rights
If the police take action against you, you have right to an interpreter, providing you state you have no command of the Czech language. The cost of the interpreter is covered by the state. But if you need an interpreter while dealing with a government office, the costs are covered by the individual.

Other Dos and Don’ts in the Czech Republic:
– Introductions
– Public Behavior

– Some More Behavior

– Czech Pubs

– Fashion
– Visiting
– Dating
– Shopping
– Public Transport
– Kids
– Dogs
– The Road

– Animal Sounds

– Culinary & Medicinal Customs

– Czech Superstitions

– Neighbors

– Visiting the Doctor
– Money
– Small Talk
– Going Out
– Swearing
– Names
– Camping
– Measurement