GOWISELY
If you are approached by the police remember “GOWISELY”
What are my rights if I’m stopped and searched?
The College of Policing have a guide on how police should behave when they stop and search people. It says that the police must search you in accordance with ‘GOWISELY’.
What’s GOWISELY?
It’s an acronym – each letter of GOWISELY stands for your rights if you’re stopped and searched.
G - Grounds for suspicion.
For suspicion-based searches, the police must clearly explain the basis for their reasonable suspicion.
O - Object of the search.
The police must clearly explain what they are looking for.
W - Warrant card
The police must show you this if you ask for it, or if they aren’t wearing a uniform.
I - Identity of the police officer or officers
The police officers involved in stopping and searching you must give you their name and shoulder number.
S - Station
The police must tell you which police station they work at
E - Entitlement to a search record
The police must provide you with a copy of the search record or, if this is not practicable, provide information on how you can get a copy..
L - Legal power used
The police must tell you what legal power they are using to stop and search you.
Y - ‘You are detained for the purposes of a search’.
The police must tell you this. ‘Detained’ means you are not free to leave until they tell you.
How long can police keep me for?
The time for which they detain you must be ‘kept to a minimum.’
If you are unsure whether the stop and search is complete, ask “Am I being detained?”
If you are not being detained, you have no legal obligations.
“Stop and search can be highly emotive and, if misused, can be harmful to the trust and confidence young people feel towards the police. Young people’s confidence and transparency in our use of this power is critical because it is one of the most intrusive powers we have and can give rise to strong feelings and resentment.
The interaction which takes place between an officer and a young person should be seen as an opportunity to engage and build relationships with young people in a positive way.”
- Chief Constable Olivia Pinkney, NPCC portfolio lead for the policing of children and young people.