Search & Surveillance Flashcards
What does S.112 allow you to do?
If you are carrying out a lawful search and it is not reasonably practicable to determine whether any item can be lawfully seized, you may:
-Remove items for examination or analysis off-site to determine if they can be lawfully seized *NOTE: the items must be within the scope of the original search
E.g. Drugs that need to be analysed to confirm their nature, large amounts of documents that cannot be assessed onsite
What acronym should be used when conducting a search warrant briefing?
GSMEAC
Ground -location to be searched, address, neighbours
Situation -reason for seeking warrant, background on suspects/POI’s
Mission -address, suspects, specific EM
Execution -timings, method of entry, roles, responsibilities, exhibit handling, vulnerable people
Admin -travel to and from, timings, recording of EM
Command & Signals - radio channel, cell phone numbers, debrief
What does S.127 allow you to do?
Enter any place to:
-Locate a vehicle to execute a search warrant (IF)
-You have RGTB that the vehicle is there
What conditions are there on the granting of a SDW for the use of an interception device?
A SDW warrant will only be granted for the use of an interception device to gather EM for:
-Offences punishable by 7 years or more imprisonment
-Identified Arms Act 1983 offences
-Identified Psychoactive Substances Act 2013 offences
Who can issue a Search Warrant
Issuing Officers, being:
-High Court Judge
-District Court Judge
Or any person authorised by the attorney general such as:
-Community Magistrate
-Registrar
-Deputy Registrar
-Justice of the Peace
What is a surveillance device (SD)?
A surveillance device is any device that assists and enhances your normal capabilities to carry out surveillance
What level of belief must you have in relation to the practicability to apply for a SW if deciding to use a warrant less power instead of applying for a SW?
A decision that applying for a search warrant is not practicable must be based on RGTB that it is not practicable in the circumstances to obtain said warrant
What is trespass surveillance?
Surveillance that involves trespassing onto land or trespass to goods
What are the different types of SD’s?
A visual surveillance device
A interception device
A tracking device
What restrictions may an issuing officer put on a search warrant?
-Restrict the time when the search can reasonably be executed
-Require the occupier or person in charge of a place to provide assistance to the officer executing the search warrant
-Require a report on the search warrant within a specified time
What is a ‘serious offence’ in regards to the S&S Act 2012
Any offence punishable by 7 years or more imprisonment
How many times can a search warrant be executed?
Only once, unless you have justified to the issuing office why it is necessary to execute more than once and they have authorised you to do so
What must you satisfy the issuing officer in order to obtain a search warrant?
-There are RGTS an offence punishable by imprisonment has been, will be or is about to be committed
-There are RGTB that the search will find EM relating to the specified offence in that place, vehicle or other thing
Under S.46E what surveillance can you conduct without a SDW?
Observe private activity in the curtilage of a premises by means of a surveillance device for:
-A single investigation (or) connected series of investigations
-For no more than 3 hours in any 24hr period (and)
-No more than 8hrs total
What do you need to do regarding premises that you’ve forced entry into and rendered insecure?
-Must never leave it insecure
-Must liaise with the owner or occupier to secure their own property, offer to wait for them if necessary
-At the owners request engage a contractor to make the premise secure on the understanding that they are paying for the cost
-Attempt a temporary repair where feasible
What should you do if the issuing officer declines your application
-Record the reasons for the issuing officer refusing to sign
-Consider the issues raised and if possible re-draft a new application ensuring you have addressed the concerns
-Re-submit the application to the same issuing officer
If the issues cant be addressed:
-Make further enquiries to support (or otherwise) the application
-Consider whether to continue your investigation without conducting a search warrant
-If the reason for not signing the search warrant do not seem justified, submit a report to Legal Services for direction
What does S.116 allow you to do?
Secure a place, vehicle or other thing to be searched and exclude any person from there if you have RGTB that person would obstruct or hinder the search
What is a tracking device?
A device that is used to help ascertain;
-The location of a person or thing
-Whether something has been opened, tampered with or in some way dealt with
-Does not include a vehicle or other means of transport e.g. following in a helicopter
Why at times would you use a PO instead of a Search warrant?
Often production orders are less intrusive and involve less cost than search warrants
When can a search warrant be executed?
At any time unless restrictions have been put in place by the issuing officer as a condition of the search warrant
What does S.120 allow you to do?
If you are in fresh pursuit of someone and have RGTB they are in possession of EM you can:
Enter and search any place or vehicle to apprehend the person and the EM believed to be on them
What is a voluntary oral communication?
A communication between one or more persons where at least one party in the communication gives their consent for the communication to be recorded
There is no obligation to obtain a SDW to intercept and record a voluntary oral communication
In what situation do you not have to meet your obligations under S.131
If you believe providing a copy of the search warrant or inventory would:
-Endanger the safety of any person (or)
-Prejudice any ongoing investigation
You may apply to a Judge at the time of the search warrant application (or) within 7 days of executing the search warrant to postpone meeting these obligations for up to a maximum of 12 months
What must you do if your risk assessment identify’s a baby or toddler at the address to be searched?
The execution plan must mitigate the risks to everyone’s safety and staff must be fully briefed as to the risks and plans to mitigate their own and public safety
List the obligations under S.131 you must meet before effecting any search?
N -Identify yourself by name or QID/ provide evidence of ID if not in uniform
A -State the name of the Act
I -Announce your intention to enter and search
R- Give reason for the search/provide copy of search warrant
What does S.118 allow you to do?
Detain any person while searching place and vehicles to determine their connection to the place or vehicle or object of the search
How can you apply for a PO?
-Must apply in writing along with a personal appearance before or communication orally with a issuing officer, unless it is impractical to do so in the circumstances
In that case you may:
-Make an application orally e.g. phone (or)
-Have your application considered without a personal appearance or oral communication e.g. email
Define ‘Evidential Material’
Evidential material is anything that is evidence of the offence, or any other item, tangible or intangible, that is of relevance to the investigation of the offence
What must be done when using a SD in an emergency situation in regards to reporting?
Must report to a Judge within 1 month after the date of the last day of any period of 48hrs or less over which the SD was used
What factors should be considered when deciding whether it is practicable to obtain a search warrant or not?
-Is there time to gain approval and apply for warrant
-Can the scene be secured (under section 1170
-Are reasonable resources (including number of staff) available to minimise risk and ensure safety
-Is EM at risk
-Location of the search and who is present
Why uses a search warrant over a warrant-less search?
-It provides judicial oversight
-It provides greater protection for Police and public
-Requires reporting and recording of results
List the categories of lawful searches that you can think of?
Search warrant
Warrant-less search
Consent search
When does trespass surveillance occur?
As soon as an enforcement officer steps onto private property without consent
What is a private premise?
A private dwelling house, marae and any other premises that are not within the definition of non-private premise
Who can issue a Search Warrant
Issuing Officers, being:
-High Court Judge
-District Court Judge
-Community Magistrate
-Registrar
-Deputy Registrar
-Justice of the Peace
What do your obligations under S.131 S&S 2012 cover?
They cover the identification, intention, reason and notice requirements for the search
What must you do if no one is present during a search?
Provide a copy of the search warrant or warrantless search notice and an inventory of items seized to the occupier within 7 days of the completion of the search
Who must approve the use of an interception device in an emergency?
A Detective Inspector, unless:
-the immediacy of the situation does not allow for prior planning and approval from a DI and Legal Services (and)
-statutory criteria is met (and)
-an opportunity arises to obtain EM that would otherwise be lost if not taken at the time
What must you do when you have formed a belief or suspicion regarding a search?
Record your reasonable grounds for using a search power in your notebook, this is your decision log
What must you do if your PO request relates to a media organisation?
Request approval from a Police Executive member at PNHQ or a District Commander for a district matter
What are the conditions of S.117
Powers of S.117 may be used until:
- For up to 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 warrant application is denied