Search and Surveillance Act 2012 Flashcards
Meaning of evidential material
means evidence of an offence or any other item tangible or intangible of relevance to the investigation of the offence
Reasonable Grounds to Believe
Having sound basis for believing that a situation or circumstance actually exists
Reasonable Grounds to Suspect
Having sound basis for suspecting that a situation or circumstance is likely to exist
Unlawfully at large
- A person with WTA (excludes fines warrant)
- A person UAL under the Corrections Act 2004 or Parole Act 2002
- A prison breaker under s119 of C.A 1961
- An escapee from lawful custody under s120 of C.A 1961
- A special/restricted patient under Mental Health Act 2003 whose escaped and failed to return after expiry or cancellation of leave
- A care/special care recipient under the Intellectual Disability Act 2003 who has escaped and failed to return after expiry or cancellation of leave
- A young person under the CYPFS Act 1989 bound by an order under s311(1) of the act who is absconding from the custody of the chief executive
The Search Hierarchy
- Search Warrant
- Warrantless Search
- Consensual Search
If there is a reason to search a place, vehicle or thing and a warrantless search power exists then…
You use the warrantless search power instead of a consensual search under s91 to 96 of the act
Decision records
Record grounds to suspect or believe known at the time the warrantless power was used because you may need to rely on it at Court
Identification and notice. Person in charge of place/vehicle/thing being searched has right to know:
- Who is searching
- Their authority for the search
- Reasons why
Unless there are good reasons for not providing this info
Force used to gain entry for the purpose of the search must always be…
Reasonable
When practicable search and seizure should be witnessed by who?
Another Police employee, enforcement officer from another agency or person assisting with the search
Removed or seized property must be…
appropriately documented and accounted for
For a search to be lawful you must…
- exercise a warrantless power
- execute a warrant power
- conduct the search, examination or inspection with a persons consent
R v Williams on inevitable discovery
If evidence obtained as a result of a breach of NZBORA 1990 would have been obtained even if the breach had not occurred, the fact that the evidence would have inevitably been discovered is taken into account in determining whether it is admissible under the balancing test in section 30 of the Evidence Act 2006
When might subsequent Court proceedings deem a search unreasonable
When you dont observe the search hierarchy eg. by conducting a search without a warrant where you had the opportunity to obtain a warrant
What may happen to evidential material obtained as a result of a search deemed unreasonable by the Court
The evidential material may be deemed inadmissible
R v Jefferies on reasonable searches
Lawfulness is not determinative of reasonableness and unlawfulness or unreasonableness. If particular evidence would still have been discovered if the unlawful search had not been conducted the evidence may still be deemed admissible
Warrantless power under section 11
W/L Power to search a PERSON who is or is about to be locked up
Warrantless power under section 16
W/L Power to search a PERSON found in a public place for evidential material
Warrantless power under section 18
W/L Power to search a PERSON for arms
Warrantless power under section’s 21,22 and 23
W/L Power to search a PERSON in relation to drug offences
Warrantless power under section 27
W/L Power to search a PERSON for knives, offensive weapons and disabling substances
Warrantless power under section’s 85 and 88
W/L Power to search a PERSON after arrest or detention
s110 powers
Incidental powers to search
- associated power to seize anything that is the subject of the search or anything else that may lawfully be seized
Warrantless power s7
To search for and arrest person in any place without warrant
If you have RGT SUSPECT person is unlawfully at large
And have RGT BELIEVE person is in place or vehicle
Warrantless power s8
To search for and arrest person in any place without warrant
If you have RGT SUSPECT person has committed an offence punishable by imprisonment
And have RGT BELIEVE person is in place or vehicle
And have RGT BELIEVE delay in entry will result in:
- person leaving to avoid arrest
- evidential material will be concealed, altered, damaged or destroyed
What CANT you search for under s8?
Evidential material
UNLESS an arrest is made and a search incidental to the arrest is conducted under s83 to 88
Warrantless power s14
You may enter place or vehicle and take ANY ACTION you have RGT BELIEVE necessary to prevent offence or avert emergency
if you SUSPECT offence is being or about to be committed
likely to cause injury to person or serious loss or damage to property
or there is risk to life or safety of any person requiring an emergency response
Under s14 what is meant by “take any action”
It means to take any action that is reasonable in the circumstances
Warrantless power under s15
To search any place without a warrant
RGT SUSPECT offence punishable by 14 years imprisonment or more has been, is being or about to be committed and BELIEVE evidential material is in a PLACE
and BELIEVE that evidential material will be CADD if entry delayed
Practically speaking how is s15 is supposed to be used?
As an urgency power. Once the urgency has passed and scene is secure a warrant should be obtained
It may be appropriate to resort to s117 than to exercise a warrantless power
Warrantless power under s16
To search any person in a public place without a warrant
If you have RGT BELIEVE that a person in a public place is in possession of evidential material relating to an offence punishable by imprisonment of 14 years or more
Warrantless power under s17
To search any vehicle in a public place without warrant
If you have RGT BELIEVE that evidential material relating to an offence punishable by 14 years imprisonment or more is in or on a vehicle in a public place
If a vehicle you have RGT BELIEVE has evidential material relating to an offence punishable by 14 years imprisonment or more is not parked in a public place but on private property what section could you search the vehicle under?
s15
What section allows for a warrantless search for arms in vehicles or places?
s18 - allows for warrantless entry, search and seizure in any place or vehicle
Requirement under s18
RGT SUSPECT there are arms in any place or vehicle that a category 3 or 4 offence or offence against Arms Act 1983 has been, is being or is about to be committed
OR that may be evidential material in relation to category 3 or 4 offence against the Arms Act 1983
Unless impracticable obtain approval from a Sergeant or above
Warrantless power under s28
To search any vehicle for offensive weapons:
If you have RGT SUSPECT offence against s202A(4)(a) of C.A 1961 and vehicle contains knife, offensive weapon or disabling substance
Disabling substance
Any anaesthetising or other substance produced to use for disabling a person or intended for such use by 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 person who has it
Warrantless power under s29
To search any vehicle without a warrant if you have RGT BELIEVE that stolen property is in or on that vehicle
Vehicle must be in a public place
To search a vehicle for stolen property under s29 where must it be
In a public place, if vehicle is on private property you should seek a warrant
Warrantless power under s83
To enter any place without warrant to search for evidential material if you have RGT BELIEVE evidential material relating to offence is in that place and CADD may occur if entry is delayed
Warrantless power under s84
To enter any vehicle without warrant and search for evidential material relating to the offence arrested for if you have RGT BELIEVE evidential is in vehicle
Warrantless use of powers notifications and reporting Steps
- Obtain prior approval from a Sgt or above where applicable (e.q arms search)
- Provide written notice to person present during execution of warrantless power (POL1275) and an inventory if items seized. If no-one present during search leave POL1275 in a prominent place
- Make record of decision to use warrantless power and reasons for it (i.e RGTB and RGTS) in notebook
- Record use of powers in S n S system for warrantless notifications
- Where applicable complete notification using create notification feature on Microsoft Bulletin Board to notify relevant groups about drugs, firearms, children etc
What must you consider before using a consent search?
A search warrant or warrantless search power
What must you not use consent search for?
You must have a reason justifying asking a person to consent to a search. It must not be used to go on a “fishing expedition.”
What MUST you advise before executing consent search?
You must advise the reason for the search and that they can refuse consent or withdraw it at any time - s93
When can a person under 14 consent to a search?
They cannot consent to search of a place, vehicle or thing unless they are found driving a vehicle and there is no passenger over the age of 14 with authority to consent to the search
What are the exceptions to the consent search rules?
Search is conducted as a condition of entry to any public or private place
Search conducted under a power conferred by enactment
Entry under implied license
Purposes for which consent search may be undertaken
- To prevent an offence
- To protect life or property or prevent injury or harm
- To investigate whether offence has been committed
- Any purpose which you could exercise a power of search conferred by an enactment if you held suspicion or belief specified in the enactment
s92
What is good practise when conducting consent search?
To identify yourself by name, give reason for your search and provide evidence of I.D if not in Police uniform
What must you do if consent is withdrawn during search?
Stop the search immediately unless a warrantless power can be invoked to continue the search
When is a consent search unlawful?
- If it is not for a purpose set out in s92
- If you fail to give required advice set out in s93
- you undertake a search relying on consent given by a person who does not have authority to give that consent
s94
Can a person under 14 years old consent to a search of themselves or anything in their immediate possession or control?
YES
Exceptions to consent search rules s96
Rules do not apply to:
- Searches conducted as condition of entry to a public or private place e.g a condition of entry into a sports match or concert
- a search in accordance with a power a power conferred by an enactment
Rules do not:
- Affect rule of law the implied license to enter property
Implied license
it is assumed anyone can enter onto private property so far as necessary to make an enquiry of an occupier. Such an implied license can be revoked by occupier at any time