i have had hundreds of interactions with the police over my life. I have never been arrested. I have never once felt safer as a result of their presence in a situation.

i have never been arrested for the same reason I have never been seriously injured by an angry dog. The same tactics work on both. Your best best bet for safety with with cops is to treat them like violent and unpredictable animals.

this all of course presumes you are white. I would not attempt to give anyone else advice on dealing with the cops.

For those who find this useful; make your movements slow and deliberate. Use a friendly tone. Telegraph every action and clearly state it ahead of time. Keep both eyes on them always.

And for the love of God, keep your hands visible and out of your pockets. Never fucking ever put your hands in your pockets around a cop.