Northern Territory Consolidated Acts Northern Territory Consolidated Acts52. Power of police to enter certain premises
(1) In this section "authorised member" means a member of the Police Force authorised in writing by the Commissioner of Police or a member of the Police Force of or above the rank of Sergeant.
(2) An authorised member may, at any time, enter premises which are or are reported to be, or which are reasonably believed to be, a brothel.
(3) An authorised member may, at any time, enter and inspect premises from which the holder of an operator's licence carries on an escort agency business for the purpose of -
(a) ascertaining whether the provisions of this Act are being complied with;
(b) ascertaining whether the conditions or restrictions, if any, of the operator's licence or any manager's licence in respect of the escort agency business are being complied with; or
(c) investigating a complaint on a request by the Commission made of the Commissioner of Police under section 22(1)(d).
(4) If an authorised member demands entry to premises under the power conferred by this section and entry is refused or delayed for such a time as to make it appear that wilful delay is intended, the authorised member may break into the premises and, for that purpose, may use such force as is necessary.
(5) A person who prevents, hinders or obstructs an authorised member entering premises under the power conferred by this section or from exercising the authorised member's powers under this section is guilty of an offence.
Penalty: $5,000 or imprisonment for 2 years.
(6) Where an authorised member enters premises under the power conferred by this section, the Commissioner of Police shall, as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than 48 hours after the exercise of the power, serve a notice, in the prescribed form, on the Chairperson of the Commission giving details of the circumstances of the exercise of the power.