Old bill in doing their job shocker

Tynan, if you see an old lady drop her purse and not notice, do you need someone to tell you to pick it up and give it her back? Or do you just do it?
I'm sure you know what I'm getting at and are just playing devils advocate.

I am not playing the devil's advocate at all, I genuinely disagree with (or perhaps misunderstand) your idea that you are meant to help the police.

On the specific subject of handing over your personal details to a state representative, I would always say not to do it.

In the OP, what would have happened if he'd said " I'm not telling you anything unless you arrest me."

There is no need to be confrontational with an officer doing their job, a simple refusal to hand out personal details to anyone who asks (including police officers) is perfectly within your rights - there would be no need to throw 'unless you arrest me' on the end any more than it would be a good idea to knock his helmet off and run away shouting '*you'll never take my alive . . *'.