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 - Warrant to Arrest Corrections Act - Prison breaker Escaped Police Custody Special/restricted patient Care/special care recipient YP within the OT Act under S311
List the general principles applying to searches (7)
- 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
Section 14
Entry to prevent offence or respond to risk to life or safety
What reasonable grounds must be established before invoking Section 15 - Loss of Evidential Material relating to certain offences? (3)
1) Suspect a 14-year offence has/is/about to be committed
2) Believe evidential material is in that place
3) Believe any delay will lead it to being CADD
Section 16 - Search person in public for evidential material - 14 year offence. What are the requirements?
- The person is in a public place
- RGTB they are in possession of evidential material relating to a serious offence.
Section 17 - Search vehicle in public for evidential material - 14 year offence. What are the requirements (2)?
1) A vehicle in a public place.
2) RGTB there is evidential material of a serious offence in or on the vehicle.
Section 83 - Entry and search place/vehicle incidental to arrest
If you have arrested a person for an offence and believe evidential material is in the place or vehicle, and that delay in getting a Search Warrant would result in the evidential material being CADD,
you may enter and search the place/vehicle for evidential material relating to the offence.
It does not matter if the person was not arrested there
When executing a Search Warrant or Power, who can you search at the scene?
You can search any person found at, arrives at or stops/enters the place or vehicle if you have reasonable grounds to believe that evidential material is on that person or
suspect that the person is in possession of a dangerous item that poses a threat to to safety and you believe immediate action is needed.
Section 117
Secure scene while search warrant is pending (up to 6 hrs)
According to Section 131 of the Search and Surveillance Act 2012, what must you do when exercising a search power?
RAIN
Before entry, you must:
- announce intention to enter and search using a power
- identify yourself by name
- if not in uniform, produce evidence of your identity
131 (1) - Before of on initial entry, provide the occupier a copy of the search warrant.
Section 131 (2) - When do you not have to announce entry or give reasons for the search?
- no person lawfully present
- compliance would endanger the safety of any person or prejudice the exercise of the entry or the ongoing investigation
What are some of the factors you should consider before making an unannounced forced entry (5)?
- Whether there are reasonable and practical alternatives to a forced entry.
- The seriousness of the offence or circumstances.
- Any history of violence by the parties present.
- Danger being posed to people at the premises.
- Whether evidence is likely to be CADD.
How old does a person need to be to be treated as an occupier or person in charge according to SSA 2012?
14 years or older.
The only exception is if they are found driving a vehicle and there is no passenger 14 years or older with authority to consent to the vehicles search.
What is curtilage?
An area attached to a dwelling house and forming one enclosure with it. In an urban area it would include the area within a dwelling’s fenced boundary.
Section 9 - stopping vehicles without warrant to effect arrest. What are the requirements?
- RGTS the person is unlawfully at large or has committed an imprisonable offence.
- RGTB the person is in or on that vehicle.
Under section 30 of the Search and Surveillance Act 2012, who can establish a road block?
A senior constable (which means sergeant or above, including acting).