Legal Observer Checklist



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Detailed description of police misconduct incidents (verbal abuse, wrongful arrest, excessive force) including the exact date, time and location.  Note failure to warn, refusal to allow dispersal, etc.
 
 
Nickname and affinity group of the victim(s).
 
 
Other witnesses’ names, addresses, emails and phone numbers.
 
 
Names and contact information for any journalists, videographers or photographers.
 
 
Number of officers and law enforcement vehicles.
 
 
Commanding officer’s name, rank and badge number (make a note if officers refuse to supply this information).
 
 
Name, rank, badge number, description and agency of each officer present (make a note if officers refuse to supply this information).
 
 
License plate and ID number of police vehicles.
 
 
License numbers of private cars moving through the demonstration.
 
 
Police equipment and weapons: body armor, shields, batons, tear gas, pepper spray, tazers, rubber bullets, wooden bullets, bean bags, stingers, etc.
 
 
Which police weapons were used and how: protesters drenched with pepper spray; tear gas canisters fired at persons (rather than onto the street); horses or vehicles run into people, etc.
 
 
Routes taken by demonstrators and police. 
 
 
Statements made by police (particularly commanding officers) and civil officials.  Whether orders or warnings were audible and/or intelligible.