SW - Safety and Search Warrant Briefings

Question 1

Risk assessments must be ongoing. You must…

Answer 1

• Review and re-assess the identified risks
• Work with others to identify and consider further risks
• Plan how to manage and minimise any identified risks
• Determine how risk management will be communicated in your search warrant briefing

Question 2

Application to postpone compliance with notice obligations. Providing a copy of SW or inventory would…

Answer 2

a) Endanger the safety of any person
OR
b) Prejudice on-going investigation

Question 3

Application under Section 134 of the Act should be presented to the Judge…

Answer 3

a) At the time of the SW application
OR
b) Before 7 days has passed after the SW execution

Question 4

How long can a Judge postpone these Obligations?

Answer 4

A period not exceeding 12 months

Question 5

Safety doing SW execution. May need to use reasonable force to…

Answer 5

a) Enter the place, vehicle or other thing (Section 131)
b) Search (on the property) and Seize (Section 110)
c) Carry out search of a person (Section 125)

Question 6

What is GSMEAC?

Answer 6

Ground
Situation
Mission
Execution
Administration and Logistics
Command and Signals

Question 7

What is Ground?

Answer 7

• Location to be searched
• Address
• Neighbours

Question 8

What is Situation?

Answer 8

• Reason for seeking the SW
• Background on any suspects

Question 9

What is Mission?

Answer 9

• Address
• Suspects
• Specific Evidential Material Sought

Question 10

What is Execution?

Answer 10

• Timings
• Method of Entry
• Roles - O/C Scene, O/C Exhibits
• Responsibilities
• Obligations on Entry
• Managing Suspects
• Searching for Evidential Material
• Recording Evidential Material
• Assisting vulnerable people
• Sequences of Events
• Managing Risks and Ensuring Safety

Question 11

What is Administration and Logistics?

Answer 11

• Travel to/from the place to be searched under warrant
• Timing of the SW execution
• Recording of Evidential Material Seized

Question 12

What is Command and Signals?

Answer 12

• Cellphone numbers and radio channels
• Before executing the SW
• During the execution of the SW
• Debrief

Question 13

Holding a SW briefing - Person in charge of SW, what should they consider?

Answer 13

• Ensure all required staff are present
• Reinforce verbal information given with visual prompts
• Use maps, charts, diagrams, photographs
• Provide copies of all important documents
• Ensure all staff present are clear about their roles and responsibilities
• Identify and advise staff of what they can record in their notebooks during the briefing as all entries may be disclosable.