Why You Should Not Talk To The Police

Bruce Schneier Bruce Schneier uses these two videos to show why you should never speak to the police:

• Law Professor James Duane explains why innocent people should never talk to the police.
• George Bruch from the Virginia Beach police department responds to Professor James Duane's presentation on why innocent people should never talk to the police.

I live in a middle class suburb outside San Francisco and the only time I am likely to talk to the police is to report a crime. Most readers of this blog probably have more in common with me than with people who are likely to be questioned by the police. Not talking to the police is not likely to help us. The interesting thing about the two videos is that if you are suspected of a crime it seems that telling police the police anything a) cannot help you and b) can increase your chances of getting convicted. These videos are about America. It seems that the fifth amendment is necessary, as are similar rules on self-incriminating evidences in other countries. Not telling the police anything seems to work and the rules on self-incrimination help put everyone on an equal footing.

Candor is one of the qualities I value most in people. It doesn't seem to be a helpful trait for people of accused of crimes in America and many other countries.