Remember, cops aren't particularly fond of being used as tools for teachable moments. Never feel you need to handle issues of harassment on your own or in private just to âsave faceâ or prevent repercussions. If you are a victim of harassment, you should contact the police. I can only give Texas specific answers as a Texas Peace Officer. To register via the Internet, go to www.donotcall.gov . 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. Harassment charges can vary from a misdemeanor to a felony. 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. It depends on where you live and where the person texting you is. Because many solutions cannot disclose the real identity of blocked callers â there is little you can do until you have that information. If you can chalk the harassment up to a bad joke, that would be a time to keep the cops out of it. 1. You can register your numbers on the national "Do Not Call" list by phone or on the Internet for free. At Stop Street Harassment, we believe that however you choose to respond to street harassment â whether you report it, ignore it, or deal with the harasser directly â is a valid choice. For more information, read What Happens After Text Message Harassment is Reported to Police. Harassment refers to a wide variety of behavior which can violate both civil and criminal laws. 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. Instead, other routes may be more appropriate, such as meeting ⦠Stalking or harassment is extremely unpleasant and malicious behaviour that causes upset and distress â and itâs something no one should put up with. 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. Many police harassment cases do not get addressed because most people are not sure of their legal rights and the limitations of a police officerâs authority. How to Stop Phone Harassment. 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. 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. 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. Examples of a police officer harassing a victim include unreasonable questioning, verbal or physical abuse, or illegal searches. 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. How to Report Harassing Phone Calls or Text Messages to the Police. * Police harassment of LGBTQ individuals is a real and serious issue in many cities around the United States. What can the police do about harassing texts? 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