The dreamer is in need of guidance, protection, comfort — a spirit (whether familiar or unfamiliar) will appear with a message, or love and warmth, for the dreamer (whether the dreamer realized he/she requested assistance or not)
The beauty of these types of visitations are they offer messages and comfort in the time of most need, either for the dreamer or the person who has passed on from their physical form. There is comfort in knowing when you as a dreamer are in need of some type of guidance or nourishment and you may sub-consciously call on your spirit guides.
To observe that you are hiding from powerful personalities such as your guardians, police or other denotes that you are feeling fear and tension between you and the real world. You may not be facing up to a situation or dealing with some issue.