Police Fire Orders F61

Question 1

Every Police employee issued with a firearm…

Answer 1

is personally responsible for ensuring they are thoroughly conversant with relevant law, particularly sections 39, 40, 41, 48 and 62 of the Crimes Act 1961, and all relevant instructions and guidelines contained in this chapter.

Question 2

The circumstances justifying…

Answer 2

Police firing at an offender can change very rapidly. Any employee who fires a shot must be personally satisfied thriough their perceived cumulative assessment that there exists justification for doing so.

Question 3

An offender must not be shot without first considering:

Answer 3

1- They must have first been asked to surrender [unless impractical or unsafe to do so], and
2- It must be clear they cannot be disarmed or arrested without first being shot, and
3- It must be clear that further delay in apprehending the offender would be dangerous or impractical.

Question 4

Police must only use a firearm for these lawful purposes: S48

Answer 4

To defend themselves or others if they fear death or grievous bodily harm to themselves or others, and cannot reasonably protect themselves or others in a less violent manner.

Question 5

Police must only use a firearm for these lawful purposes: S39

Answer 5

To arrest an offender if they believe on reasonable grounds that the offender poses a threat of death or grievous bodily harm in resisting their arrest, and the arrest cannot be reasonably effected in a less violent manner, and the arrest cannot be delayed without danger to other people.

Question 6

Police must only use a firearm for these lawful purposes: S40

Answer 6

To prevent an offender escaping if Police believe on reasonable grounds that the offender poses a threat of death or grievous bodily harm to any person [whether an identifiable person or members of the public at large], and the offender flees to avoid arrest or escapes after arrest, and the flight or escape cannot reasonable e prevented in a less violence manner.