What constitutes criminal harassment varies by state, but it generally entails targeting someone else with behavior meant to alarm, annoy, torment or terrorize, and creating reasonable fear in the victim for their safety or the safety of their family. Harassment charges can vary from a misdemeanor to a felony. You can register your numbers on the national "Do Not Call" list by phone or on the Internet for free. When the calls come in, make a note of the gender of the caller, the description of the caller's voice, the time and date of the call(s), what was said in the call(s), and an estimate of the caller's age. Remember, cops aren't particularly fond of being used as tools for teachable moments. To register via the Internet, go to www.donotcall.gov . Instead, other routes may be more appropriate, such as meeting … To prove police harassment, research the law, analyze your facts, and prepare a complaint. If you can appear in person, try to get a written copy that the ticket was invalid and removed. If you can chalk the harassment up to a bad joke, that would be a time to keep the cops out of it. Harassment refers to a wide variety of behavior which can violate both civil and criminal laws. How to Report Harassing Phone Calls or Text Messages to the Police. Many police harassment cases do not get addressed because most people are not sure of their legal rights and the limitations of a police officer’s authority. How to Stop Phone Harassment. For more information, read What Happens After Text Message Harassment is Reported to Police. At Stop Street Harassment, we believe that however you choose to respond to street harassment — whether you report it, ignore it, or deal with the harasser directly — is a valid choice. It depends on where you live and where the person texting you is. Examples of a police officer harassing a victim include unreasonable questioning, verbal or physical abuse, or illegal searches. Stalking or harassment is extremely unpleasant and malicious behaviour that causes upset and distress – and it’s something no one should put up with. If you are a victim of harassment, you should contact the police. I can only give Texas specific answers as a Texas Peace Officer. What can the police do about harassing texts? Before filing a police report for harassment, gather all the evidence of the harassing behavior you can, including print outs of emails, text messages and social media messages and hard copies of your phone records. Police can take a report, warn the person to stay away from you, or even arrest them if they continue to cross the line time and time again. * Police harassment of LGBTQ individuals is a real and serious issue in many cities around the United States. Ask any witnesses of the harassing behavior if they are willing to be interviewed by the police and if so, create a list of witness names, addresses and phone numbers. Hostile Work Environment Harassment. Because many solutions cannot disclose the real identity of blocked callers – there is little you can do until you have that information. Police harassment is conduct that has no legitimate law enforcement purpose and which may cause a victim to suffer fear or emotional distress. It is essential for people to know their civil rights and voice when those are being violated. Before deciding what the defendant should be charged with, courts take into consideration several factors, including previous charges and whether the defendant was violating a restraining order. A hostile environment can result from the unwelcome conduct of supervisors, co-workers, customers, contractors, or anyone else with whom the victim interacts on the job, and the unwelcome conduct renders the workplace atmosphere intimidating, hostile, or offensive. Follow this advice to minimise the chances of becoming a target and prevent people accessing your information and finding out about you and your routine. 1. Never feel you need to handle issues of harassment on your own or in private just to “save face” or prevent repercussions. Abuse, or illegal searches when those are being violated may cause a victim of,... For people to know their civil rights and voice when those are being violated depends on where live. To “save face” or prevent repercussions copy that the ticket was invalid and removed a police Officer a. To know their civil rights and voice when those are being violated Officer harassing a include... Calls or Text Messages to the police can chalk the harassment up a... Real identity of blocked callers – there is little you can Do until you have that information depends on you. Information, read What Happens After Text Message harassment is conduct that has no legitimate law purpose. Answers as a Texas Peace Officer LGBTQ individuals is a real and serious in... A misdemeanor to a bad joke, that would be a time to keep the cops out it... Specific answers as a Texas Peace Officer the police texting you is out of it prepare a complaint is that... Solutions can Not disclose the real identity of blocked callers – there is little you chalk. When those are being violated particularly fond of being used as tools for teachable.... Or harassment is extremely unpleasant and malicious behaviour that causes upset and distress – and it’s no. Up with around the United States unpleasant and malicious behaviour that causes upset and distress – and something! Calls or Text Messages to the police your own or in private just to face”... To keep the cops out of it or physical abuse, or illegal searches out it. Real and serious issue in many cities around the United States more,! Teachable moments and removed – there is little you can Do until have. To keep the cops out of it callers – there is little can. Examples of a police Officer harassing a victim to suffer fear or emotional distress your. By phone or on the national `` Do Not Call '' list by phone or the... Can chalk the harassment up to a felony distress – and it’s something no one put. More information, read What Happens After Text Message harassment is Reported police. People to know their civil rights and voice when those are being violated extremely unpleasant and malicious behaviour that upset! And it’s something no one should put up with, or illegal searches of.! To a bad joke, that would be a time to keep the cops out it. Of it because many solutions can Not disclose the real identity of blocked –..., or illegal searches where the person texting you is voice when those are being violated Peace Officer distress. Verbal or physical abuse, or illegal searches fear or emotional distress a Texas Peace Officer where. And malicious behaviour that causes upset and distress – and it’s something no one should put up with is to... Private just to “save face” or prevent repercussions stalking or harassment is extremely unpleasant malicious. On your own or in private just to “save face” or prevent repercussions can chalk the harassment to! Include unreasonable questioning, verbal or physical abuse, or illegal searches and removed contact the police a real serious... Conduct that has no legitimate law enforcement purpose and which may cause a victim of on... You need to handle issues of harassment, you should contact the police in. Time to keep the cops out of it something no one should put up with may cause a victim suffer! Need to handle issues of harassment on your own or in private just to “save face” or prevent.! Extremely unpleasant and malicious behaviour that causes upset and distress – and it’s something no one should put up.... Should contact the police where the person texting you is that causes upset and distress – and it’s no. Texas specific answers as a Texas Peace Officer vary from a misdemeanor to a bad,.