2 MUST LEARNS Flashcards
Under the S&S Act a LAWFUL search is a search that is conducted
SA
- with a search warrant
- under a warrantless search power
- with the persons consent
Under the S & S Act a REASONABLE search is that
SA
- complies with sec 21 of the NZ BOR act and considers factors such as
- the nature of the search
- how intrusive the search is
- where and when the search takes place
PRACTICABLE IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES
practicable whether applying for a 4x is practicable in the circumstances. When you think about what is practicable consider questions such as
- Can the scene be secured (under sec 117)
- is the evidential material at risk
- location of the search and who may be present
- is there time to gain approval and apply for a search warrant
Record in your decision log
SEARCH OPTIONS
If it is not practicable in the circumstances to apply for a search warrant there maybe 2 other options available to you
- SEARCH USING WARRANTLESS POWER- if a warrantless power is available to you then you have the power to search without a search warrant
- SEARCH BY CONSENT - if you do not have grounds to apply for a search warrant or to use a warrantless power then you may request a search by consent. A consent search is not the most desirable action as there are additional rules that apply to consent searches and these rules must be followed if the search is to be lawful
Why use a search warrant
REP
- ensures judicial oversight
- Provides greater protection for police and public
- requires recording and reporting of results
SEARCH BY CONSENT SEC 91-96 S & S
Before conducting a search by consent you MUST determine that the search is for one of the following reasons
PIPP
- to prevent the commission of an offence
- to investigate whether an offence has been committed
- to protect life or property
- to prevent injury or harm
One or more of these situations MUST exist to justify any consent search (sec 92)
UNDERTAKING A CONSENT SEARCH
Before conducting a search by consent you must advise the person whom consent is sought
MC
- of the reason for the proposed search AND
- they may consent or refuse to consent to the search
EXCEPTIONS TO IDENTIFICATION AND NOTICE
You are not required to comply with identification intention and notice requirements on initial entry if you have RGTB that no one is present also you do not have to comply with the requirements on initial entry if you have RGTB this would PPE
SA
RGTB
- endanger any persons safety
- prejudice the successful use of the entry and search power
- Prejudice on-going investigation
- RGTB no one is present
What do you do if the person refuses entry
SA
may use reasonable force to enter if the person does not allow entry within a reasonable time following a request
What if there is no one at the place where the search is to be conducted
MC
- use reasonable force to enter place vehicle other thing if you have RGTB no one is lawfully present
- MUST leave a copy of the search warrant or a POL 1275 search notice to occupier and an inventory of any material seized
- MUST be ASAP after the search AND
MUST be provided within 7 days of completion of the search
What if your search is impeded
SA
If your search is impeded by any person or if you have RGTB that any person would obstruct or hinder your ability to search then you could use section 116 to:
- exclude that person from the place vehicle or other thing being searched or any area within the place or vehicle or other thing
- give any reasonable direction to that person
Sec 116
SECURE a place vehicle or other thing to be searched and EXCLUDE any person from there
Sec 118
DETAIN PEOPLE when searching places vehicles for the purposes of determining whether there is any connection between a person at the place or in or on the vehicle and the object of the search
Sec 119
- SEARCH PEOPLE found when searching places and vehicles if you have RGTB that evidential material that is object of the search is on that person or
- RGTS person is in possession of a dangerous item poses a threat to safety and you believe immediate action is needed to address the threat
Sec 120 freshly pursuing
if you are FRESHLY PURSUING and with RGTB that relevant evidential material is still on the person you have the power to ENTER any place to APPREHEND the person and SEARCH the person or vehicle