Search and Surveillance Flashcards
Reasonable Grounds to Suspect definition
Means having a sound basis for suspecting that a situation or circumstance exists
Reasonable Grounds to Believe definition
Means having a sound basis for believing that a situation or circumstance exists
When you have formed RGTS or RGTB what must you be able to do:
Record your reasonable grounds for using a search power in your notebook. This is your decision log.
When you have formed RGTS or RGTB what may you be required to do?
- Submit a report on your decision to use a power and your grounds for using it
- Justify your use of a power in court or in other formal proceedings
What search options are available to you?
- A search warrant
- A warrantless search power if a warrant is not practicable in the circumstances
- A consent search if you do not have grounds for a warrant or a warrantless search
Why should we use a Search Warrant?
- It ensures judicial oversight
- Provides greater protection for the public and Police
- Requires recording and reporting of results
The end-to-end process required by a warrant provides checks and balances to protect the police
Consent Search - Section & Act
Sections 91 - 96 S&S 2012
Consent searches - what circumstances MUST exists for you to conduct a search by consent?
- To prevent the commission of an offence
- To investigate whether an offence has been committed
- To protect life or property
- To prevent injury or harm
One of the above circumstances must exist to justify a consent search (S92)
What MUST you advise the person from whom consent is sought prior to conducting the search?
- Of the reason for the proposed search; and
- They may consent or refuse to consent to the search
What if someone withdraws their consent for a search?
They may withdraw their consent at any time. If this occurs, stop the search IMMEDIATELY, unless you can invoke a warrantless search power to continue the search.
What are the restrictions around age and consent searches?
A person under 14 cannot consent to the search of a place or vehicle with the exception being they are the sole occupant / driver of a vehicle as there is no one else who can provide consent.
Evidential material definition
Means evidence of the offence, or any other item, tangible or intangible of relevance to the investigation of the offence.
Tangible definition
Means something that may be touched
Intangible definition
Means something that is unable to be touched such as an email address or access information to an Internet data facility
CADD definitions and examples of each
Concealed - Hidden / buried
Altered - Serial number removed / changed
Damaged - Firewall removed from a vehicle
Destroyed - Consumed (food/drugs), burned by fire
You must have RGTB that the EM will be CADD to conduct a warrantless search for EM.
Section 131 Search and Surveillance Act 2012 - what does this outline?
Section 131 outlines the obligation of identification, intention, reason and notice.
Under Section 131 Search and Surveillance Act 2012, before initial entry is made you must:
- Identify yourself by name or QID
- Provide evidence of identity if not in police uniform
- Announce your intention to enter and search
- State the name of the act
- Give notice by providing a copy of the search warrant
- Remember, if someone is detained to provide them with their BOR.
Under Section 131 Search and Surveillance Act 2012 what must be provided to the subjects of the search / owners or occupiers of the location being searched?
- A copy of the Search warrant or warrantless search notice and an inventory of items seized
- Report the use of certain powers
What are your obligations if no one is present at the place you intend to search?
If you have RGTB that no one is present then you are not required to comply with identification, intention and notice requirements on initial entry.
What are the circumstances that do not require you to comply with Section 131 S&S12 being notification?
If you have RGTB it would
- Endanger any persons safety
- Prejudice the successful use of the entry and search power
- Prejudice on going investigations
What if a person refuses entry?
You can use reasonable force to enter if the person refuses entry (S110)
Section 110 Search and Surveillance Act 2012 - brief explanation
Special Powers when conducting a search of a place, vehicle or other thing
What does Section 110 authorise?
It authorises you to:
- Enter and search the place, vehicle or other thing
- Search any item or items found in that place, vehicle or other thing
- Use reasonable force in respect of any property for the purposes of carrying out the search and seizure
- Request assistance
- Bring with / use any equipment found on the place, vehicle or other thing
- Bring and use a trained law enforcement dog and their handler
- Copy any document or part of any document that can be lawful seized
- Access any computer system or other data storage device
- Copy intangible material
- Take photographs, sound and video recordings and drawings
What to do if a search is impeded by any person
If your search is impeded by any person or you have RGTB that it will be impeded:
- S116 allows you to:
- Exclude that person from the place, vehicle or other thing being searched
- Give any reasonable direction to that person
What additional powers are available to you that you can use alongside your original search power (warrantless or warrant)
Section 116 - Power of exclusion
Section 118 - Power of detention
Section 119 - Power to search people at place being searched
Section 118 - what power does it give you?
It gives you the power to DETAIN when searching places and vehicles for the purpose of determining whether there is any connection between a person at the place or in or on the vehicle and the object of the search.
Section 119 - what power does it give you?
It gives you the power to SEARCH people found when searching places and vehicles if you have:
- RGTB that evidential material that is the object of the search is on that person
- RGTS that the person is in possession of a dangerous item that poses a threat to safety and you believe that immediate action is needed to address that threat
Section 120 - what power does it give you?
If you are in FRESH PURSUIT and with RGTB that EM is still on the person, you have the power to ENTER any place to APPREHEND the person and SEARCH the person or vehicle
What does section 125 stipulate with regard to searching people?
- You can search any item that the person is wearing, carrying, has in their possession or immediate control.
- Any search you undertake must be conducted with DECENCY and sensitivity.
- It MUST be conducted in a manner that affords the person being searched a degree of privacy and dignity.
- You can SEIZE any item that person is wearing, carrying or is in their immediate possession if that is the item you are searching for
What can you do if a detained person attempts to leave a scene?
- If a detained person attempts to leave the place or vehicle you can use REASONABLE force to detain the person to be searched.
What can you do if a person arrives at a scene being searched?
If someone arrives at the place or vehicle and starts talking to those detained you may;
- EXCLUDE that person if you have RGTB they will obstruct / hinder the search (S116)
- DETAIN the person to determine their connection to the scene or subjects (S118)
- SEARCH the person if you have RGTB they have EM on them (S119)
- SEARCH the person if you have RGTS they have a dangerous item on them that poses a threat to life or safety
What is privileged material?
Privileged material includes material gained in communication with:
- Legal Advisors
- Medical Practitioners
- Clinical Psychologists
- Ministers of Religion
- Informers
- Journalists
What does ‘privilege’ allow?
Privilege allows the holders of the particular information to refuse to disclose the information.
When does privilege not apply?
If the information is made, received, compiled or prepared for a dishonest purpose or to enable or aid any person to commit an offence
What must you do when a search involves privileged material held by a specified person?
You must:
- Ensure that the person or their representative is present when the search is undertaken
- Give the person a reasonable opportunity to claim privilege
What must a person who has claimed privilege do in a reasonable timeframe?
Provide a list of things (such as documents) which they claim are privilege
They may also make a copy of any document before you seize it, and they may object to seizure of any document.
What to do if you expect to receive a claim of privilege?
Secure the item in question but do not continue to search or examine it. Do not conduct your investigation with reliance on it unless no claim of privilege is made, if privilege is withdrawn or the search is in accordance with the direction of the court determining the claim of privilege.
What is the seven step process when applying for a search warrant?
- Obtain prior approval
- Obtain online approval
- Obtain Issuing Officer Authorisation
- Plan and brief search warrant execution
- Execute Search warrant
- Report on outcomes
- File investigation records
If a search warrant is not practicable in the circumstances, how else can you apply for a search warrant?
With supervisor approval you may apply for a warrant
- Orally
- Apply for a search warrant without approach to an issuing officer (Email or phone)
- Secure the scene under S117
What must you do after the search warrant is executed if an oral search warrant application was made / obtained?
You must provide a written/online application as soon as possible that back captures the required information.
What are the four things you must have done before making an application for a SW online?
- Be sure that there is RGTS an offense punishable by imprisonment has / is or will he committed AND RGTB that the search will find EM in respect of the offense
- Have checked the target history in NIA
- Have assessed the risks associated with executing the SW
- Have obtained initial approval from a supervisor at or above the rank of sergeant
What are the four things you must have done before making an application for a SW online?
- Be sure that there are:
- RGTS an offence punishable by imprisonment has been, will be or is being committed. AND
- RGTB the the search will find evidential material in respect of that offence in the place vehicle, or other thing.
- Have checked the targets history in NIA
- Have assessed the risks
- Have obtained prior approval from a supervisor
Search warrant risk assessment - These risks must be?
- Identified
- Analysed
- Considered in planing how to execute the search warrant
Section 117 Search and Surveillance Act - What can you do?
If a SW application is about to be made or has been made and you are waiting to hear if it has been authorised, and you have RGTB that evidential material may be CADD or removed before the search warrant can be issued, you may
- Enter and secure a place, vehicle or other thing and
- Secure any item found in that place
- Direct any person to assist with entry and securing the place, or vehicle or securing items in it
When else could section 117 be used?
If you arrive for execution of a search warrant and you realise you have a search warrant for the wrong address / flat number. Section 117 can be used while a SW application is made (orally or through the S&S system)
How long may the powers under S117 be exercised?
The powers conferred by this section may be exercised until the first of the following occurs:
- the expiry of 6 hours from when the power is first exercised
- The warrant is available for execution at that place or vehicle or in respect of that other thing
- The application for a search warrant is refused
Who can issue a search warrant?
An issuing officer:
- A district court / high court judge
Someone authorised by the Attorney General:
- Registrar
- Deputy Registrar
- Community Magistrate
- Justice of the peace
When will a Search warrant be authorised?
A SW will be authorised when the issuing officer is personally satisfied that there is :
- RGTS an offence punishable by imprisonment has occurred.
- RGTB that the search will find evidential material in respect of the offence
What restrictions can an issuing officer put on the search warrant?
- Restricting the time upon which the search warrant can be reasonably executed.
- Requiring the occupier or person to provide reasonable assistance to the officer executing the search warrant
- Requiring a report on the search warrant within a specified time
What should you do if the Issuing Officer does not sign the search warrant application?
- Record the issuing officers reason for refused
- Consider the issues raised and if possible re-draft the application, ensuring you have addressed these issues.
- Re-submit the application to the same Issuing Officer
What should you’d o if the concerns raised by the issuing officer cannot be met?
- Make further enquiries to support the application
- Consider whether to continue your investigation without conducting a search
- If the reason for not signing the search warrant was not justified, submit a report to Legal Services for direction
Who can execute a search warrant?
The person to whom it is directed or any constable
How long is a search warrant valid for?
- No more than 14 days from the date of issue as specified by the issuing officer OR
- No more than 30 days from the date of issue, as specified by the Issuing Officer, if you have justified why this is necessary
When can a search warrant be executed?
- At any time that is reasonable under the circumstances OR
- At a restricted time required by the Issuing Officer as a condition of the execution
When is a search warrant considered executed?
When you:
- Have seized the evidential material specified in the search warrant OR
- Leave the place, vehicle or other thing to be searched and do not return within 4 hours
How often can a search warrant be executed?
- Once, unless
- More than one execution has been applied for, justified and authorised by the issuing officer - You must detail the reason for the multiple entries
Risk assessments in regards to SW must be ongoing and in preparing a search warrant execution you must:
- Review and reassess the identified risks
- Work with others to identify and consider any further risks
- Plan how to manage and minimise any identified risks
- Determine how risk management will be communication in your search warrant briefing
When can you apply to postpone compliance (S134) with notification requirements?
If providing a copy of the search warrant or inventory would:
- Endanger the safety of any persons or
- Prejudice ongoing investigation
You may apply to a judge to postpone these obligations to provide a copy of the search warrant
How can you apply to postpone the obligations under S131?
An application to postpone is made under section 134 and should be presented to the judge:
- At the time the SW application is made
- Before 7 days has passed after the search warrant execution