Police Powers Flashcards
When can a police officer arrest someone according to PACE 1984?
A police officer may arrest someone if they have reasonable grounds for doing so.
What is the general rule for taking a person to the police station after arrest?
The person must be taken to the police station as soon as practicable, unless their presence is necessary elsewhere to carry out reasonable immediate investigations, search them or a premises, or check an alibi.
What happens upon arrival at the police station?
The custody officer may:
* authorize detention
* inform the detainee of their rights
* take non-intimate samples
* allow the detainee to see a healthcare professional (HCP) or speak to a solicitor on request, and
* interview the detainee often with a solicitor present.
What are the possible outcomes after the interview at the police station?
- Release under investigation / on bail
- Charged and released on bail
- Charged and remanded into custody
What is the role of the custody officer?
- Must be at least a Sergeant
- Must not be involved in the investigation
- Makes decision on whether todetain the suspect based on the grounds for arrest.
Can a suspect be detained if there is insufficient evidence to charge them?
Only if there are reasonable grounds for believing detention is necessary to secure or preserve evidence or to obtain evidence by questioning.
What must a custody officer do if grounds for detention exist?
- Open a custody record which records the reason and circumstances of arrest, why arrest was necessary and comments made by the arrested person
- Inform the detainee of reason for arrest and detention
- advise the detainee of their rights
When can a solicitor view the custody record?
As soon as they arrive at the police station and at any time whilst the suspect is still detained.
When must reviews of detention take place?
- No more than 6 hours after detention is authorised by the custody officer; and
- periodically every 9 hours after that first review.
Under what circumstances can a review of detention be postponed?
- If the suspect is being questioned + interrupting would prejudice the investigation; or
- No review officer is available
Must be carried out ASAP.
What is the maximum time a suspect can be kept in custody before being charged or released?
24 hours from the moment of their arrival at the police station or after arrest, whichever came first.
When can detention be extended by up to 12 hrs?
- Only where the offence is indictable (i.e either-way and indictable only offences)
- By officer of at least Superintendent rank
- For maximum 12 hours
- Authorisation must be before 24 hrs but after 2nd detention review.
- Reasonable grounds to believe further detention is necessary to secure or preserve evidence by questioning
When can detention be extended to 72hrs or 96 hrs?
- Indictable only / either way offences
- On application to Magistrates Court for warrant of further detention;
- Reasonable grounds for believing further detention is necessary to secure / preserve / obtain evidence by questioning.
What are the 6 rights of a suspect under PACE?
- Right to consult privately with a solicitor and have free, independent legal advice;
- Right to have someone informed of arrest;
- Right to an appropriate adult;
- Right to an interpreter;
- Right to consult the PACE CoPs
- Right to decent treatment
What is the order of rank for police officers?
- Chief superintendent
- Superintended
- Chief Inspector
- Inspector
- Sergeant
- Constable