Powers Flashcards
Power to Enter in Emergencies
LEPRA 2002 s. 9
A police officer may enter premises if they believe on reasonable grounds that one of the following is occurring:
-Breach of the peace
-Person has suffered significant physical injury
The police officer may only stay for as long as is reasonably necessary under the circumstances
Power to Enter to Arrest, Detain or Execute Warrant
LEPRA 2002 s. 10
A police officer may enter a premises and stay for a reasonable amount of time to arrest, detain under an Act or arrest a person named in a warrant
The police officer may search the premises for the person
Identity may be Required to be Disclosed
LEPRA 2002 s. 11
A police officer may require a person to disclose their identity if the police officer suspects on reasonable grounds that the person may be able to assist in the investigation of an alleged indictable offence because they were at or near the place where the offence occurred
A police officer may require a person to disclose their identity if the officer directs a person to leave a place
Power of Police to Require Disclosure of Driver and Passenger Identity (LEPRA)
LEPRA 2002 s. 14
A police officer who suspects on reasonable grounds that a vehicle is or was used in connection with an indictable offence may require the driver or passenger to disclose their identity
Power of Police to Request Proof of I.D.
LEPRA 2002 s. 19
A police officer may require a person who is required to disclose their identity to provide proof of identity
Power to Require Removal of Face Coverings
LEPRA 2002 s. 19A
A police officer may require a person to remove a face covering to see a person’s face to identify the person
Power to Search Persons and Seize and Detain Things Without Warrant
LEPRA 2002 s. 21
A police officer may, without a warrant, stop, search and detain a person if the police officer suspects on reasonable grounds that one of the following circumstances exist:
a. The person has something stolen or otherwise unlawfully obtained
b. The person has something used or intended to be used in or in connection with the commission of a relevant offence
c. The person has a dangerous article in a public place in or in connection with the commission of a relevant offence
d. The person has a prohibited plant or drug
Power to Search Persons for Dangerous Implements in Public Places and Schools
LEPRA 2002 s. 23
- A police officer may, without a warrant, stop, search and detain a person in a public place or school if the police officer suspects on reasonable grounds that the person has a dangerous implement unlawfully in their possession
- The police officer may also search the person’s locker and any bag or other personal effect in the locker if they are in a school
- A high presence of violent crime may be taken into account in determining reasonable grounds
- The police officer must allow the student at a school to nominate an adult to be present
Power to Carry Out Search on Arrest
LEPRA 2002 s. 27
A police officer who arrests a person may search the person at or after the time of arrest if they suspect on reasonable grounds that it is prudent to do so in order to ascertain whether the person is carrying anything:
a. that would present a danger to a person
b. that could be used to assist a person to escape lawful custody
c. that is a thing with respect to which an offence has been committed
d. that is a thing that will provide evidence of the commission of an offence
e. that was used, or is intended to be used, in or in connection with the commission of an offence
Ancillary Power to Search Persons
LEPRA 2002 s. 28
In conducting a search, a police officer may require the person to:
a. open their mouth
b. shake or otherwise move their hair
Power to Search a Person in Lawful Custody After Arrest
LEPRA 2002 s. 28A
A police officer may search and detain anything found on a person who is in lawful custody after arrest
Searches Generally
LEPRA 2002 s. 30
a. Quickly run their hands over the person’s outer clothing
b. Require the person to remove a coat, jacket, gloves, shoes, socks and hat
c. Examine anything in the person’s possession
d. Pass an electronic metal detection device over person
e. Do any thing authorised under this Act
Strip Searches
LEPRA 2002 s. 31
A police officer may carry out a strip search if they suspect on reasonable grounds that it is necessary for the purposes of the search
Preservation of Privacy and Dignity during Search
LEPRA 2002 s. 32
- Inform if they must remove clothing and why
- Must ask for co-operation
- Must conduct search quickly and privately
- Least invasive kind of search
- Must not search genitals or female breasts unless necessary
- Must be conducted by officer of the same sex
Power to Search Vehicles and Seize Things Without Warrant
LEPRA 2002 s. 36
A police officer may stop and search a vehicle if they suspect on reasonable grounds that:
a. the vehicle or person contains anything stolen or unlawfully obtained
b. the vehicle is or was used in connection with the commission of a relevant offence
c. the vehicle contains anything used in connection with the commission of a relevant offence
d. the vehicle is in a public place or school and contains a dangerous article used in connection with the commission of a relevant offence
e. the vehicle contains a prohibited plant or drug
f. circumstances exist at or near a public place or school that are likely to give rise to a serious risk to public safety
Power to Stop Vehicles to Arrest, Detain or Search
LEPRA 2002 s. 36A
A police officer may stop a vehicle if they suspect on reasonable grounds that a person in the vehicle can be arrested, detained or searched
Entry by Invitation
LEPRA 2002 s. 82
A police officer may enter any dwelling if invited if they believe on reasonable grounds that a domestic violence offence is being, has been or is likely to be committed to:
-investigate whether a domestic violence offence has been committed
-prevent further domestic violence offences
A police officer may remain on premises if authority to remain has been denied to exercise powers:
-direct a person to leave or not to enter
-remove a person from dwelling
-prevent a person from entering
-prevent a person from removing evidence
Warrant where Entry Denied or Authority to Remain Refused
LEPRA 2002 s. 83
A police officer may apply for a warrant where entry has been denied or authority to remain refused if they suspect that a domestic violence offence is, has been or is likely to be committed