Northern Territory Consolidated Acts Northern Territory Consolidated Acts33. When application may be made for emergency authorisation
(1) A law enforcement officer of a law enforcement agency may apply to a senior officer of the agency for an emergency authorisation for the use of a surveillance device if the law enforcement officer reasonably believes:
(a) an imminent threat of serious violence to a person or substantial damage to property exists; and
(b) the use of a surveillance device is immediately necessary for the purpose of dealing with that threat; and
(c) the circumstances are so serious and the matter is of such urgency that the use of a surveillance device is warranted; and
(d) it is not practicable in the circumstances to apply for a surveillance device warrant.
(2) In addition, a law enforcement officer of a law enforcement agency may apply to a senior officer of the agency for an emergency authorisation for the use of a surveillance device if:
(a) a serious drug offence or an offence against a law of another jurisdiction or the Commonwealth that corresponds to a serious drug offence has been, is being, is about to be or is likely to be committed; and
(b) the use of a surveillance device is immediately necessary for:
(i) an investigation into the offence; or
(ii) enabling evidence or information to be obtained of the commission of the offence or the identity or location of the offender; and
(c) the circumstances are so serious and the matter is of such urgency that the use of a surveillance device is warranted; and
(d) it is not practicable in the circumstances to apply for a surveillance device warrant.