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OPA presents 'Know Your Rights' briefing on what to do during police stops
Summary
At a Grand Rapids Public Safety Committee meeting, OPA staff gave an abridged 'Know Your Rights' training covering probable cause vs. reasonable suspicion, when to consent to searches, recording interactions and how to report complaints to OPA; speakers emphasized rights apply regardless of immigration status.
Mr. Davis of the Office of Oversight and Public Accountability presented an abridged 'Know Your Rights' training to the Public Safety Committee, outlining what community members should know if stopped by police. He defined probable cause and reasonable suspicion, explained Terry stops and gave practical guidance for traffic stops: stop in a safe place, keep hands visible, produce license/registration/insurance when required and inform officers before reaching for documents.
Mr. Davis told the committee that community members may legally refuse consent to vehicle searches but that officers can still search with probable cause or a warrant. He urged people to document interactions, record if possible and collect badge numbers to report later to OPA rather than argue at the scene. "You can say, 'I don't consent to this search,'" he said, adding that consenting can make evidence harder to challenge later.
The presenter emphasized that rights apply regardless of immigration status and noted OPA's role: it handles complaints involving the Grand Rapids Police Department (and related city public-safety activity) but not other agencies. On Michigan law, Mr. Davis warned that the state's resisting-and-obstructing statute can include failing to follow a lawful order, and that in some cases that offense may carry felony exposure.
Mr. Davis described OPA's training capacity as limited (roughly a half-time staff person supported by volunteers), but said the office has trained about 700 people in the past year and provides school and neighborhood presentations on request. He encouraged community members to report concerns to OPA and to raise more detailed legal issues later with an attorney.
The committee followed with clarifying questions about Miranda warnings for custodial interrogation, treatment of minors, and whether biking or scooter stops are covered; Mr. Davis said OPA provides guidance for pedestrian stops and fielded questions about partnering with schools to expand training access. The committee made no formal motions on the presentation; staff said printed materials, leaflets and volunteer trainers are available for community groups.
Why it matters: The presentation packaged legal standards and practical tips for on-street and traffic encounters into a short, community-facing training aimed at reducing escalation, improving documentation and steering complaint follow-up to OPA.
