h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi spanner. This is a really good idea for an Entry in the Guide. People sometimes find themselves in a maelstrom of trouble without knowing why. As you point out, police are just folks; but, as a painter mixes paint and a carpenter cuts wood, police have to deal with people... and sometimes that involves hitting them, pepper spraying them, or even shooting them dead. The trick is not to identify yourself as someone who needs hitting spraying or shooting; which is merely a question of etiquette. In addition to the things you've already mentioned, "Don't touch" should figure on the list. That means no tapping on the shoulder, patting on the back, or any of the little gestures humans use to affirm fellowship. On the off-chance that your friendly (or at least innocent) gesture could be misinterpreted as a threat or an insult, you could end up face down on the pavement.

JTG

Here's one that is very important. When stopped by the police, wait in your car unless otherwise directed. The officer may have to finish calling radio or writing information down before he can come up and speak with you.

NEVER walk back to the police car. Officers are most vulnerable when they are sitting in a police officer with a person standing outside the car. It is very difficult to defend yourself from this position (That's why most officer prefer for you to sit in your car). If you want to have an outraged officer coming out of a car prepared to use force, walk back to the his car without him calling you.

Another peculiar habit to avoid is walking up to an officer while they're conducting a traffic stop. I know most people would never consider doing this, but there are a few morons who will. Traffic stops are already a high-risk situation. Having people from another vehicle come up to the stop will definitely put the officer on edge. It's just plain rude to the officer and the first violator he stopped. You're delaying the person that officer stopped while the officer is talking to you. My personal policy is to cite anyone who approaches one of my traffic stops for any charge I can legally apply to them (almost all cars have some kind of defective equipment).

Jason