Sometimes, drug arrests in Ottawa happen because a police officer simply decides to talk to someone who happens to be carrying drugs at the time. However, the officer can't just stop someone and search him or her without reasonable suspicion that a search is warranted.
So, how do the police get to that point? Often, they will just ask questions and look for signs of nervousness or inconsistent answers. After all, an officer has a right to talk to you, just like anyone else, whether or not you've done anything to break the law.
Depending on your answers or behavior, though, the officer may then be able to carry out a search, find the drugs, and make an arrest.
One important thing to remember is that you don't have to talk to the police. You have a right to ask the officer if you're being detained or if you are allowed to leave. Without a reason to arrest you, the officer has to tell you that you can go, and you can then end the conversation and go on your way.
Remember, these rights work both ways. Yes, the police can talk to you just like any other person on the street, but you also don't have any obligation to converse with the officer if you don't want to, the same way you don't have to talk to a bus driver, a shopkeeper, or a stranger who is just walking by. Don't assume that you can't leave just because the person is a police officer.
If you are caught and facing drug charges, it's important to know your legal options, especially if the search for the drugs happened without respecting your rights.
Source: Alternet, "4 Police Tricks to Nab You For Pot and How You Can Beat Them," Aaron Cantú, accessed Oct. 15, 2015
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