Family Harm Flashcards
What is a PSO
Police Safety Order
Who can issue a PSO
Any Constable may issue a PSO if authorised by a qualified Constable.
A qualified Constable is anyone who holds or is above the rank of a Sergeant.
Who is a ‘Person at Risk’
- the person named in the order (for whose safety the PSO is issued)
- any child residing with that person
Who is a ‘Bound’ person
The person against whom the PSO is issued.
They are bound by the conditions outlined in the PSO.
Who cannot have a PSO issued against them?
A child under the age of 16.
When would you issue a PSO
- When there is insufficient evidence to make an arrest for a FH offence (and you believe it is necessary to take action to ensure the safety of the person at risk)
Considerations when issuing a PSO
- it is likely that the person has inflicted, or is inflicting family violence against the PAR or any person with whom they have a family relationship.
- likelihood they will inflict, or again inflict family violence against the PAR
- welfare of any children residing with the PAR
- hardship caused if the PSO issued
PSO consent?
Police do not need the consent of the PAR to issue a PSO
Section 32(1)
Power to detain
Power to detain…time limit
…for a time period not exceeding two hours
Where can you detain someone to issue a PSO
At the address that Police have found them, or transport them to a Police Station
Purpose of the detention for serving a PSO
- obtain authorisation to issue the order from a qualified Constable
- issue the order
- serve the order
What is the enactment a PSO is issued under?
Family Violence Act 2018
Additional considerations when issuing a PSO
- previous interactions with Police
- history of Mental Illness
- presence or history of intoxication (drugs/alcohol)
- propensity for violence
- PO’s or PSO’s previously issued
- personal knowledge of the parties involved through previous attendance
Failure or Refusal to remain after being detained
Section 32(2)
If the person fails or refuses to remain at the place where they have been detained, this is an offence punishable by a $500 fine.
There is a power of arrest without warrant for the offence of failing or refusing to remain
Bound person must:
- immediately surrender any weapon in their control
- any firearms licence held
- immediately vacate any land occupied by PAR
- not engage in behaviour that amounts to any form of FH against a PAR
- not make any contact with PAR (writing/emails/phone/dig comms)
- not encourage any other person to contact PAR
when CAN a Bound person contact a PAR…
- reasonably necessary in an emergency
- special condition of any relevant PO
- to attend Family Group Conference
- to attend a proceeding before Court
SASA 2012
Section 18
When dealing with FH matters and PSO’s Police have powers to search for arms under this section
Parenting order under PSO
While a PSO is in effect against any person, any parenting order or day-to-day care or contact agreement relating to a child protected by that PSO is suspended
Duration of PSO
for a period specified in the order but no longer than 10 days
When does a PSO come into force?
Immediately on being served on the bound person
Timeframe for serving PSO?
Must be served by a Constable as soon as practical.
However, if the order is not served within 48 hours of being issued the order lapses.
When serving a PSO what needs to be explained?
- purpose of the order
- effect of the order
- duration of the order
- consequences of contravening the order
Breach of a PSO
There is no offence for a person against whom a PSO is issued, to fail or refuse to comply with the order.
The person can be taken into custody, however they must be brought before the District Court within 24 hours of being taken into custody.
Where the bound person has absconded after breaching a PSO, you have one month from the time of the breach to locate them and bring them into custody.
Issuing a summons for a breach of a PSO
If a person found to be breaching cannot be brought before the District Court within 24 hours, they must be released and served with a summons to appear before the District Court.
Served summons and failed to appear…
The District Court may issue a WTA so the person can be brought before them in court
Prosecutors must advise the PAR…
- of the court decision
- any subsequent action
This may be delegated to any Constable