What if the officer is not in uniform and I am not sure they are real?

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Your right — demand the service ID. This is directly stated in Art. 18, cl. 3 of the Law "On Police": if the officer cannot be identified as police by external signs (no uniform, an unmarked vehicle), they are obliged to present a document confirming their authority.

What to look for on the ID:

  • photo, full name, rank;
  • Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) emblem/stamp;
  • validity date.

What to look for around them:

  • a patrol car nearby (even if they didn't emerge from it, one is usually parked somewhere close);
  • a badge or emblem (patrol police wear them on the chest);
  • willingness to name their unit and call their supervisor.

If there is no ID / it was not shown / it looks suspicious:

  • Do not go anywhere with them. Do not get into their car.
  • Call 112 and say: "People claiming to be police are stopping me but not showing ID. Please dispatch a patrol car for verification." This usually clarifies the situation immediately: a real officer will either show the document or be discouraged by the call (meaning they are not real).
  • If the person starts to walk away or threatens you — start recording video (in this situation openly and with narration) and call 112 again.

Impersonation of police in Georgia is rare but does occur — especially in tourist areas of Tbilisi and Batumi. A real police officer does not take offence at a request to show ID — it is standard procedure.