failure to obey a police order
{{Short description|Form of unlawful activity}}
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Failure to obey a police officer, failure to obey a police order, or failure to obey a lawful order is a crime in certain jurisdictions.
Canada
In Canada, the Criminal Code makes it illegal for a motor vehicle driver to disobey an order to stop for a police officer.{{Cite web |last=Branch |first=Legislative Services |date=2022-11-17 |title=Consolidated federal laws of Canada, Criminal Code |url=https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-46/page-44.html#docCont |access-date=2023-01-10 |website=laws-lois.justice.gc.ca}} This includes flight from a peace officer. Such a charge, other than those involving death or bodily harm, can be prosecuted either summarily or by indictment. Flight from police causing injury or death is always indictable, with maximum penalties of 14 years and life imprisonment, respectively. A conviction also comes with a mandatory driver licence suspension by the relevant provincial or territorial Ministry of Transportation (e.g. [http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/handbook/section4.8.5.shtml minimum 5-year suspension] of Ontario-wide driving privileges).
United States
In the United States, a failure to obey charge is typically a misdemeanor. For example, in Virginia, it is a misdemeanor to refuse to assist an officer in responding to a breach of the peace{{citation|title=§ 18.2-464. Failure to obey order of conservator of the peace.|url=https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/18.2-464/}} or in executing his official duties in a criminal case.{{citation |url=https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/18.2-463/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030514023554/https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/18.2-463/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2003-05-14 |title=§ 18.2-463. Refusal to aid officer in execution of his office }} In Washington, DC, this law is utilized primarily for purposes of ensuring that officers tasked with directing traffic have the authority to direct motorists and pedestrians in a proper and safe manner.{{citation|url=http://www.dcwatch.com/police/030125.htm |title=Final Report Relative to Complaints of Alleged Misconduct Made at the October 24, 2002, Hearing of the Committee on the Judiciary of the Council of the District of Columbia Concerning the IMF/World Bank Protest |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101006135953/http://dcwatch.com/police/030125.htm |archivedate=2010-10-06 }}
Sweden
An individual who refuses "to obey an official command" given by a police officer may be charged under the Swedish Criminal Code.{{Cite web |last=Oliver |first=Amy |display-authors= |date=2020 |title=The Swedish Criminal Code |url=https://www.government.se/contentassets/7a2dcae0787e465e9a2431554b5eab03/the-swedish-criminal-code.pdf |access-date=February 10, 2024 |website=Government Offices of Sweden}} It is punishable by a fine or imprisonment for a maximum of six months. Notable individuals who have been cited under this statute include Greta Thunberg, who was charged 1,500 Swedish krona for her refusal to disperse{{Cite web |date=September 15, 2020 |title=Greta Thunberg charged again for disobeying police order |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/greta-thunberg-charged-again-disobeying-police-order-2023-09-15/ |access-date=February 10, 2024 |website=Reuters}} from a peaceful protest on September 15, 2020.