Lima NAACP President talks about his experience dealing with law enforcement

LIMA – It was June 18, 2014, when Reverend Ronald Fails was arrested by the Lima police for soliciting a prostitute.

The lessons he learned from this incident made him believe that the police are not your friend.

“I had many meetings with the police. I too was a victim of this – not acknowledging that they are not my friends – engaging them on a level that was to my detriment, but you know, experience makes perfect, so we now know they don’t. aren’t your friends, so you have to treat them for who they are, ”Fails said.

Fails, who is the local president of the NAACP, held a press conference on Saturday to inform the public of a new brochure they are making available to the public titled “Shut Your Mouth: How to Interact with the Forces of the order ”.

It provides advice such as, if you are stopped while in your car, “Show your driver’s license, registration and proof of insurance upon request.”

If you are arrested, “Immediately and clearly state your refusal to speak to the police and request a lawyer.” Do not make any statement other than giving your name and address.

“If you are under 18, ask that your parents be contacted immediately. “

The brochure also emphasizes that you “don’t make any decisions until you’ve spoken with your lawyer.” Don’t let the police get you to say anything. Remember that the police can lie to get you to confess to a crime.

“The purpose of the brochure is to give instructions to people when they interact with law enforcement. The idea behind this is to follow the Fifth Amendment. We recognize that in our community in particular there is a problem of people engaging in law enforcement without the presence of a lawyer which leads, in some cases, to convictions which may not be justifiable and we want to warn people that when they are dealing with law enforcement, they are not there as a friend. Their job is to prosecute criminals and get convictions, period, ”Fails said.

Fails saw others get into trouble by opening their mouths.

“I sat in a courtroom as a result of several of these cases going through the system and heard the detective say when he was challenged by the defense attorney, ‘Yes, I mens. I’m doing whatever it takes to get a conviction. So that tells you everything and most of us engage law enforcement, assuming they’re doing the right thing, assuming they just assume they’re engaged in the right thing, ” Fails said.

Brochures can be picked up at the NAACP offices at 2451 Harding Highway, or you can call them at 419-516-1122.

Reverend Ronald Fails maintains a pamphlet that the Lima NAACP distributes that provides tips on managing law enforcement.

Contact Sam Shriver at 567-242-0409.