What must a person do if directed by a police officer to disclose their identity?

When a police officer directs an individual to disclose their identity, the individual is legally required to comply with this direction without a reasonable excuse. This requirement is rooted in the law that grants officers the authority to verify the identity of individuals in certain situations, often related to maintaining public order or conducting investigations.

The rationale behind this obligation is to foster cooperation between the public and law enforcement, ensuring that police can effectively carry out their duties while balancing the rights of individuals. If someone has a reasonable excuse for not providing their identity, they may communicate this to the officer, but in the absence of such a justification, compliance is mandated.

In contrast, the other options imply either conditional compliance based on guilt, unnecessary refusals, or the need for prior legal advice, which can complicate and hinder the immediate interaction that the law aims to simplify. These alternatives do not accurately reflect the legal expectations established by the relevant laws governing police authority and individual rights.