Q. How can I contact the Department?
Q. Why might I be stopped by the police?
Q. What should I do if I am stopped on the street?
Q. What should I do if I am stopped in my car?
Q. Why does the officer ask for identification?
Q. When a car is stopped at night, the officers shine their lights into the car. Why is that?
Q. If I've only been pulled over for a traffic offense, why do other police cars show up?
Q. Why does the officer sit in the car for so long? What are they doing?
Q. I'd like to speak with someone regarding the officer's actions. What should I do?
Contact Information
Lansing Police Department
Headquarters / Central Services
120 West Michigan Avenue
Lansing, MI 48933
(517) 483-4600 - phone
(517) 377-0162 - fax
Monday through Friday
Hours of Operation: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Website Address: www.lansingmi.gov/police
Email: malley@lansingmi.gov
Jail 24 hours – 7 days a week
North Precinct
740 May Street
Lansing, MI 48906
(517) 483-4660
(517) 377-0035
Monday – Wednesday - Friday
Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday
8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
South Precinct
3400 South Cedar Street
Lansing, MI 48910
(517) 272-7454
(517) 272-7450
Monday through Friday
Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
A. The officer may have reason to suspect that you are in violation of a traffic or criminal law. It may be that a crime was committed nearby or the officer believes you might be able to assist in the investigation.
A. We recommend that you do not run from the officer. Be calm. Listen to what the officer wants. Do not assume that you know the reason you were stopped. Provide identification when you are asked. Be as cooperative as possible. When asked questions, answer truthfully. Being untruthful will only make matters worse and you may end up causing further problems for yourself. You have the right to ask questions of the officer. But this should be done in a clam manner. Yelling and threatening an officer will only make a situation more difficult.
A. If you are driving a car and an officer signals to stop, you must pull over. The law requires this.
We recommend that you stay in your car and if it is dark, turn on the interior light. Please do not exit your car unless the officer requests or directs you to do so.
It is suggested that you keep your hands on the steering wheel and wait for the officer to approach your vehicle. The officer will request your license, registration and proof of insurance. Police officers are trained to ask for identification and to provide an explanation for the stop. Please provide the officer with the requested documents. A Lansing Police Officer will always inform you of the reason for the stop.
Traffic violations are the most common reason for police stopping a vehicle. Examples of traffic violations include speeding, disregarding a traffic control device, improper or expired license plate or equipment violations. A criminal investigation may be another reason for being stopped. Your vehicle may match the description of a vehicle that has been involved in a crime.
At some point during the stop, the officer may ask you and/or passengers to exit the car. This request may be for safety or investigatory reasons. The courts have upheld an officer's right to make such a request. Please comply with this request.
Police officer actions during a traffic stop are guided by the fact that many police officers are assaulted and killed each year during traffic stops. Our goal is to protect you and to ensure officer safety.
If you are issued a citation and you disagree, please do not argue at the scene. You have the right to contest a citation before a judge or magistrate at a later time.
A. The officer is trained to ask for identification. You know you are dealing with a police officer. The officer merely wishes to know with whom he /she is dealing.
A. Officers are trained to minimize their exposure to potential danger from within the stopped vehicle. At night, the bright light illuminates the interior of the vehicle; a safety consideration for the officer.
A. It is not uncommon for officers who are in close proximity to assist one another, even if they are not requested. This is a route response for safety reasons.
A. Technology allows an officer to determine your driving status and check your registration directly from the patrol car. However, there are times when the responses are delayed through no fault of the officer.
A. Your comments are very important to us. If you would like to compliment or complain about an officer's actions, please contact:
Internal Affairs
120 West Michigan Avenue
2nd Floor
Lansing, MI 48933
(517) 483-4804
Or
Police Commission Investigator
Bernard Brantley
124 West Michigan Avenue
4th Floor, City Hall
Lansing, MI 48933
(517) 483-4002
Or
A Police Supervisor at 483-4600
