A policeman tells you to unlock your phone? Refer to this provision. His face will surely turn sour

Nowadays, we never leave our phone behind. It’s like a watch, computer and camera in one. Above all, it is used to contact other people and store private messages. All this makes your smartphone an object of interest for police officers who may approach you on the street and ask you to unlock your phone. Do you have to agree to this?

Can a police officer unlock a phone? Please refer to this provision

Situations where the police ask you to unlock your phone are quite rare. However, they are not impossible. This is certainly a stressful moment, especially for someone who has something on his conscience and is afraid of being caught red-handed. Polish law does not clearly regulate this issue, but you can refer to one.

According to the Code of Criminal Procedure, “there is no obligation to prove one’s innocence or to provide evidence against oneself.” Even if you are suspected of something, you do not have to unlock your phone at the request of a police officer. You can refuse without any unpleasant consequences.

Police search of phone Photo Rafał Mielnik / Agencja Wyborcza.pl

Police search of phone. When can they take away your smartphone?

The situation is slightly different when the police suspect that there is evidence of a crime on your smartphone. Then he has the right to confiscate the phone. It may also take away your device if there is a direct threat to life or health. However, a police officer cannot demand that the recording be deleted from a citizen’s phone or do it himself. This is only allowed if he has been instructed to do so by the prosecutor. If a police officer suspects that your phone is being stolen, he may ask for your IMEI number. You can refuse, but then you have to take into account that you will be detained for 48 hours, during which time the services will try to gain access to the device.