Search and Surveillance Flashcards
Evidential Material
Evidence of an offence or any other item, tangible or intangible, of relevance to the investigation of the offence
RGTB
Having a sound basis for believing that a situation or circumstance actually exists eg, RGTB that the search WILL locate evidential material relating to that offence
RGTS
Having a sound basis for suspecting that a situation or circumstance is LIKELY TO EXIST eg, RGTS that an offence has been committed.
What are some examples of a person who is unlawfully at large?
2W; Corrections Act; Prison breaker; escape S120 C.A.; Special/restricted patient; Care/special care recipient; YP within the OT Act under S311.
List the general principles applying to searches
- Lawfulness and reasonableness - all searches must be lawful and reasonable
- Search hierarchy- 1.S/W 2. W/O warrant 3. Consent
- Decision record - record in your notebook
- Identification and notice - Has the right to know who, the authority and the reasons why
- Force used against property must be reasonable - S131(3)
- Search and seizure should be witnessed - Should be witnessed by a Police employee, enforcement officer from another agency or a helper
- Seized property must be documented
McRae v Police (2017)
This details inquiring as to a reasonable excuse for possessing an offensive weapon before conducting a search
Section 7
Entry to arrest a person UAL
Section 7 - Entry to arrest a person UAL
RGTS that a person is UAL; and
RGTB that the person is IN or on a place or vehicle; then
You may ENTER the place or vehicle W/O warrant to search for and arrest the person
Section 8
Entry to avoid loss of offender or ev. mat.
Section 8 - Entry to avoid loss of offender or ev. mat.
RGTS - a person has committed an offence punishable by imprisonment; and
RGTB - the person is in a place or vehicle; and
RGTB - if entry is not effected immediately then EITHER or BOTH:
- the person will leave to avoid arrest OR
- CADD will occur; then you may:
ENTER W/O warrant; and
SEARCH for and K9 the person you suspect has committed the offence
NOTE: You may not search for ev. mat. UNLESS an ARREST is made and a search incidental to arrest is made under S83-88
ENTRY AND SEARCH TO EFFECT ARREST
Sections: 7/8
EMERGENCY POWERS
Section: 14
Section 14
Entry to prevent offence or respond to risk to life or safety
Section 14 - Entry to prevent offence or respond to risk to life or safety
RGTS - in relation to a place or vehicle:
- Offence is being, or about to be committed = injury or serious loss or damage to property; or
- Risk to life or safety of any person that requires an emergency response
You may:
- Enter W/O warrant; AND
- TAKE ANY ACTION you have RGTB is necessary to:
- Prevent the offending from being committed or continuing; or
- Avert the emergency
Section 15
Entry and search of places to find and avoid loss of ev. mat.
Section 15: Entry and search of places to find and avoid loss of ev. mat.
(Hint: urgency)
RGTS - 14yr+ offence has been/is being/about to be committed; and
RGTB - ev. mat. is there; AND if entry is delayed CADD will occur then you MAY:
- Enter and search W/O warrant
What is the premise of section 15?
Urgency - once that urgency has passed and the scene is secure, a warrant should be obtained.
14+ YEAR OFFENCE SEARCHES
Sections: 15/16/17
Section 16
Searching people in PP for ev. mat. for 14+ yr offences
Section 16 - Searching people in PP for ev. mat. for 14+ yr offences
RGTB - Person in a PP has ev. mat. 14+ then:
You may - SEARCH that person W/O warrant
Section 17
Entry and search of vehicles in PP for ev. mat. 14+
Section 17 - Entry and search of vehicles in PP for ev. mat. 14+
RGTB - a vehicle in a PP has ev. mat. 14+ then:
You may - enter and search the vehicle W/O warrant
If a vehicle is on private property which section should you use to search it?
Section 15 - warrantless search of places
Section 18(3)
Warrantless search for arms in places or vehicles
Section 18(3) - Warrantless search for arms in places or vehicles
RGTS - firearms in any place or vehicle; and
Cat. 3/4 offence or offence against the arms act is being or about to be committed; or arms act offence;
You may - Enter the place or vehicle; Search it; Seize and detain any arms or license
WARRANTLESS SEARCHES FOR OFFENSIVE WEAPONS
Section 27/28
Section 27
Searching people for offensive weapons
Section 27 - Searching people for offensive weapons
If RGTS 202(4)(a) Crimes Act offence then you may:
Search the person
Section 28
Searching vehicles for offensive weapons
Section 28 - Searching vehicles for offensive weapons
RGTS - a person traveling in a vehicle (or who has alighted from it) is committing an offence in PP v. 202(4)(a) of the CA 1961; AND -
The vehicle contains a knife, offensive weapon or disabling substance; then -
You may - Search the vehicle
Disabling substance
Any anaesthetising or other substance produced to use for disabling a person, or intended for such use by the person who has it with them
Offensive weapon
Any article made or altered to use for causing bodily injury, or intended for such use by the person who has it
Section 29
Search of vehicles for stolen property
Section 29 - Search of vehicles for stolen property
RGTB - there is stolen property in a vehicle in a PP then you may -
SEARCH the vehicle
Warrantless searches for drugs
20/21/22
Section 20
Warrantless searches of places and vehicles in relation to MODA 1975 offences
Section 20 - Warrantless searches of places and vehicles in relation to MODA 1975 offences
RGTB - not practicable to obtain a warrant and that in or in a place/vehicle is a controlled substance; and
- RGTS - an offence has been/is being committed in respect of that drug; and
- RGTB - if search not carried out CADD will occur; then:
Can enter/search a place/vehicle w/o warrant
Section 21
Warrantless searches of people found in/on places/vehicles
Section 21 - Warrantless searches of people found in/on places/vehicles
Under S20 any person found in/on place/vehicle may be searched
Section 22
Warrantless power to search for controlled drugs if MODA offence suspected
Section 22 - Warrantless power to search for controlled drugs if MODA offence suspected
RGTB - a person is in possession of controlled drugs AND suspect an offence has been committed - can search a person