CHILD PROTECTION ACT 1999 - SECT 51AJ Order—procedure before entry

CHILD PROTECTION ACT 1999 - SECT 51AJ

51AJ Order—procedure before entry

(1) This section applies if an authorised officer or police officer is intending to enter a place under an authority under a temporary custody order.

(2) Before entering the place, the officer must do or make a reasonable attempt to do the following things—

(a) identify himself or herself to a person present at the place who is an occupier of the place;

(b) give the person—

(i) a copy of the order so far as it relates to the entry and searching of the place; or

(ii) if the entry and searching is authorised by a duplicate order under section 51AI (5) , a copy of the duplicate order so far as it relates to the entry and searching of the place;

(c) tell the person the officer is permitted by the order to enter and search the place to find the child;

(d) give the person an opportunity to allow the officer immediate entry to the place without using force.

(3) For subsection (2) (a) , an authorised officer must produce the officer’s identity card to the person for inspection.

Note—

For a police officer, see the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000 , section 637 .

(4) However, the officer need not comply with subsection (2) if the officer reasonably believes that immediate entry to the place is required to ensure the effective exercise of powers under the order is not frustrated.