Law school professor recommends to never speak with the police. However I think a certain level of cooperation may help you avoid retaliation from a power abusing officer who may get pee'd off if you don't say anything. It's also good practice to video record them during any interactions. I'm not saying all police are corrupt and abuse their power but the ones who do can turn your life upside down.
There's the clue as to why the person's life is being
turned upside down right there...
If you don't ever have to be involved with the police over anything, your life possibly won't need to be turned upside down.
Folks only "never speak to the police" if they have something to hide from them, I would wager.
Folks who insist on disrespecting the cops, or being "difficult" can probably expect to have their "life turned upside down" and deservedly so; in my opinion.
They are just humans doing a thankless and dangerous job every minute of every shift, so treating them the way we would like to be treated usually produces a good end.
Do we like to get a speeding fine? No.
But, it's not the cop's fault the speed limit is 100km's and you were doing 108km's.
Does this mean we give the cop a mouthful because we are peeded off, or totally ignore him/her like they aren't there when they ask you a question, etc? Yeah, go for it if you want...
But then don't sook if your "life is turned upside down" when he decides to take a bit longer and find all your car unroadworthiness issues, and so on.
See how it works?
I have been let off speeding fines a few times by being nice and courteous. I've had lesser fines given for the same attitude.
Nowadays; I very rarely ever speed and don't get fines - staying at the speed limit (or barely over it) can be hard to do - but is doable.
Not committing crimes/breaking laws is way easier...voila! no cops.
The simplest solution is to live a life where you don't cross paths with the folks in blue, and hope they are around to help you when you need them..