Know Your Rights
Know Your Rights When Interacting with Police
This program provides clear, accessible information to help Austin community members understand and navigate police interactions with greater confidence.
This information is provided for educational purposes and is not legal advice.
What do you need help with?
- Traffic Stops
Pulled over while driving?
Learn what to expect, what you may be required to do, and what choices you may have during a traffic stop. - Public Encounters
Interacting with an officer in a public place?
Explore information about encounters in public spaces, at community events, or when you are a witness. - Searches & Consent
Being asked for permission to search?
Understand the difference between consent and legal authority and learn the questions you may ask. - After an Interaction
Have questions or concerns about an interaction?
Learn how to document what happened and explore options for feedback, support, or reporting. - Victim Rights - Austin Police Department
The Victim Services Division provides free, trauma-informed services to individuals, families, and communities impacted by crime, violence, sudden loss, and other traumatic events.
- Know Your Rights - Austin Equity and Inclusion
Explore additional information regarding your rights (regardless of your immigration status) at a protest or if approached by ICE.
Know Your Rights at a Glance
You may ask questions.You can ask for clarification, ask why you are being stopped or questioned, and ask whether you are free to leave. | You may choose whether to answer additional questions.In many situations, you may choose not to answer questions beyond providing required information. | You may request language assistance.If you do not speak English or would feel more comfortable communicating in another language, you may request an interpreter. | You may be asked for consent.If an officer asks for permission to search you, your belongings, or your vehicle, you may ask whether they are requesting your permission or acting under legal authority. |
Tools and Resources
Find additional information, support, and local resources.
Request printed educational materials for your organization or community.
Download simple step-by-step guides to help you understand what may happen during a traffic stop or public encounter.
Explore plain-language definitions for common terms you may hear or see when interacting with law enforcement.
Find additional information, support, and local resources.
Request printed educational materials for your organization or community.
Download simple step-by-step guides to help you understand what may happen during a traffic stop or public encounter.
Explore plain-language definitions for common terms you may hear or see when interacting with law enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Know Your Rights, Know Your Power is a community education initiative developed by Austin Police Oversight to provide clear, accessible information about common interactions with law enforcement. The initiative helps community members better understand their rights, responsibilities, and available resources before, during, and after an interaction.
Austin Police Oversight has provided Know Your Rights information since 2019. To ensure the resources continue to reflect community needs, lived experiences, and changes in law and policy, Austin Police Oversight conducted community research and worked with stakeholders to update and expand the materials.
This initiative supports Austin Police Oversight's mission to promote transparency, accountability, and community trust by helping people better understand their rights, responsibilities, and available resources.
The Know Your Rights, Know Your Power initiative is designed for anyone who lives, works, or spends time in Austin. Whether you're a resident, student, visitor, youth, parent, educator, or community organization, these resources are intended to help you better understand common interactions with Austin Police.
No. The information on this website is provided for educational purposes only and is not legal advice.
If you need legal advice about your specific situation, you should contact an attorney or legal services organization.
The Know Your Rights hub currently includes information about:
Traffic Stops
Public Encounters
Searches & Consent
After an Interaction
Common Terms & Definitions
Community Resources
As Austin Police Oversight continues to receive community feedback, additional topics and resources may be added.
You may also find information on other City of Austin websites, including immigration resources through Austin Equity and Inclusion or victim services through the Austin Police Department.
Every interaction is different. If you can't find the information you're looking for, you can:
Explore the Community Resource Directory
Connect with another City department or community organization
Austin Police Oversight accepts complaints and feedback regarding interactions with the Austin Police Department.
You can learn more about the complaint process or contact Austin Police Oversight through the links provided on this website.
Learn More: Community Complaint Process
Organizations, schools, neighborhood associations, and community groups may request printed Know Your Rights materials such as posters and wallet cards once they become available.
Complete the request form to be notified when materials are available.
Austin Police Oversight is developing community education opportunities to help people better understand their rights, responsibilities, and available resources during interactions with law enforcement. As presentations, workshops, and educational materials are developed, they will be shared with the community.
We invite community members, organizations, and partners to help shape future programming by completing our Help Shape Community Education survey. Your feedback will help us identify priority topics, preferred learning formats, language needs, and opportunities for future educational resources.
Know Your Rights, Know Your Power is designed to grow alongside community needs. Austin Police Oversight welcomes feedback on the website, educational materials, and future topics.
Share your feedback by completing our community feedback form or contacting Austin Police Oversight.
Sign up for the Austin Police Oversight newsletter to receive updates about:
New Know Your Rights resources
Updates related to Police Oversight
Community Events
Engagement Opportunities
Austin Police Oversight welcomes partnerships with community organizations, schools, faith communities, neighborhood groups, and service providers.
Organizations can help by:
Sharing Know Your Rights resources
Hosting educational presentations
Providing community feedback
Connecting residents with available resources
Connect with Austin Police Oversight
Have questions, need more information, or want to learn about available resources?
512-974-9090 | opo.outreach@austintexas.gov