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PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA
Police Regulation and Firearms (Amendment) Act
1999
Act No.
TABLE OF PROVISIONS
Clause Page
PART 1--PRELIMINARY 1
1. Purpose 1
2. Commencement 1
PART 2--POLICE REGULATION ACT 1958 3
3. Principal Act 3
4. Definitions 3
5. Appointment of Deputy and Assistant Commissioners and Acting
Deputy Commissioners 3
6. New section 4AB inserted 4
4AB. Appointment of Acting Chief Commissioner 4
7. Additional function for Police Board 5
8. New section 4D substituted 5
4D. Membership of Police Board 5
9. Delegation by Police Board 5
10. Powers of Deputy Commissioners and delegations 6
11. Appointments, promotions and transfers 6
12. Oath of office and execution of process 6
13. New Division 1 of Part 4 inserted 7
Division 1--Dismissal of Unsuitable Members 7
68. Chief Commissioner may dismiss unsuitable members 7
68A. Suspension pending decision 9
68B. Application for review of dismissal order 10
68C. Procedure on review 10
68D. What may the Police Board order? 11
68E. Evidence 13
68F. Witnesses 14
68G. Representation and costs 15
68H. Contempt of Police Board 16
68I. Protection of review participants 16
14. Disciplinary matters 17
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Clause Page
15. New section 86AAA inserted 18
86AAA. Forfeiture of salary by suspended member 18
16. Annual report of Chief Commissioner 19
17. Complaints and investigations 19
18. Amendment of section 86L 19
19. Further changes to Part 4A 20
20. New section 86V inserted 20
86V. Prohibition of victimisation 20
21. Reviews of non-promotions 21
22. Amendment of Part 5A headings 22
23. New section 95 substituted 22
95. Bribery and corruption 22
24. Penalty for not delivering accoutrements 23
25. New Division 3 of Part 5A inserted 23
Division 3--Search and seizure 23
99. What is a relevant offence? 23
100. Entry, search and seizure 24
100A. Search warrant 26
100B. Announcement before entry 27
100C. Details of warrant to be given to occupier 28
100D. Seizure of things not mentioned in the warrant 28
100E. Copies of seized documents 28
100F. Retention and return of seized things 29
100G. Magistrates' Court may extend 6 month period 30
100H. Things seized may be used in connection with
investigations into conduct 30
26. New Division heading inserted 30
27. New clause 4 of Schedule 1A substituted 31
28. Further amendment of Schedule 1A 31
29. Statute law revision 32
PART 3--FIREARMS ACT 1996 33
30. Definition of "prohibited person" 33
31. New section 186A inserted 33
186A. Interstate temporary visitor permits 33
32. Statute law revision 33
NOTES 35
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532170B.A1-14/5/99
PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA
Initiated in Assembly 21 April 1999
As amended by Assembly 13 May 1999
A BILL
to amend the Police Regulation Act 1958 and the Firearms Act 1996
and for other purposes.
Police Regulation and Firearms
(Amendment) Act 1999
The Parliament of Victoria enacts as follows:
PART 1--PRELIMINARY
1. Purpose
The purpose of this Act is to amend the Police
Regulation Act 1958 and the Firearms Act 1996.
5 2. Commencement
(1) This Part comes into operation on the day on
which this Act receives the Royal Assent.
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(2) Subject to sub-section (3), the remaining
provisions of this Act come into operation on a
day or days to be proclaimed.
(3) If a provision referred to in sub-section (2) does
5 not come into operation before 1 June 2000, it
comes into operation on that day.
_______________
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Act No.
PART 2--POLICE REGULATION ACT 1958
No. 6338.
3. Principal Act
Reprint No. 8
In this Part, the Police Regulation Act 1958 is as at
15 October
called the Principal Act. 1998.
5 4. Definitions
In section 3(1) of the Principal Act, before the
definition of "ESS Board" insert--
' "appointed member" of the Police Board,
means a member of the Police Board other
10 than the Chief Commissioner;'.
5. Appointment of Deputy and Assistant Commissioners
and Acting Deputy Commissioners
(1) In section 4 of the Principal Act the proviso to
sub-section (2) is repealed.
15 (2) In section 4 of the Principal Act for sub-sections
(3) and (3A) substitute--
"(3) If--
(a) there is a vacancy in the office of a
Deputy Commissioner; or
20 (b) a Deputy Commissioner is suspended,
sick or absent from office; or
(c) a Deputy Commissioner has been
appointed as Acting Chief
Commissioner--
25 a member of the force may be appointed as
an Acting Deputy Commissioner in
accordance with sub-section (3A).
(3A) The appointment of an Acting Deputy
Commissioner may be made by the Chief
30 Commissioner, for a period not exceeding
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4 weeks, or by the Governor in Council, for
a period not exceeding 12 months.
(3B) The Governor in Council may, at any time,
revoke the appointment of a member of the
5 force as an Acting Deputy Commissioner
(including an appointment made by the Chief
Commissioner).
(3C) A person appointed as an Acting Deputy
Commissioner is eligible for re-appointment,
10 but a person appointed as an Acting Deputy
Commissioner by the Chief Commissioner
may only be re-appointed by the Governor in
Council.".
6. New section 4AB inserted
15 After section 4AA of the Principal Act insert--
"4AB. Appointment of Acting Chief Commissioner
(1) The Governor in Council may appoint a
member of the force as Acting Chief
Commissioner--
20 (a) while the office of Chief Commissioner
is vacant; or
(b) during any period when the Chief
Commissioner is suspended, sick or
absent from office.
25 (2) An Acting Chief Commissioner while so
acting has all the responsibilities, powers,
authorities and duties and may perform all
the functions of the Chief Commissioner.
(3) A person appointed as Acting Chief
30 Commissioner is eligible for re-appointment.
(4) The Governor in Council may, at any time,
revoke the appointment of a member of the
force as Acting Chief Commissioner.".
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7. Additional function for Police Board
After section 4B(1)(b) of the Principal Act
insert--
"(ba) to conduct reviews under Division 1 of
5 Part IV; and".
8. New section 4D substituted
For section 4D of the Principal Act substitute--
"4D. Membership of Police Board
(1) For the purposes of performing its functions
10 other than those under Division 1 of Part IV,
the Police Board is to be constituted by--
(a) 3 persons appointed by the Governor in
Council, of whom 1 is to be appointed
as chairperson; and
15 (b) the Chief Commissioner.
(2) For the purpose only of performing its
functions under Division 1 of Part IV, the
Police Board is to be constituted by--
(a) the persons referred to in sub-section
20 (1)(a); and
(b) a legal practitioner (within the meaning
of the Legal Practice Act 1996) of at
least 5 years' standing appointed by the
Governor in Council.
25 (3) An appointed member holds office for the
term, not exceeding 5 years, specified in his
or her instrument of appointment and is
eligible for re-appointment.
(4) Schedule 1A applies to the Board.".
30 9. Delegation by Police Board
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In section 4F of the Principal Act, after "power of
delegation" insert "or any functions under
Division 1 of Part IV".
10. Powers of Deputy Commissioners and delegations
5 (1) After section 6(1) of the Principal Act insert--
"(1A) Sub-section (1) does not apply to the Chief
Commissioner's power to dismiss a member
of the force under section 68 or suspend a
member under section 68A.".
10 (2) In section 6(2) of the Principal Act after "of an
Assistant Commissioner" insert ", of an Acting
Chief Commissioner".
(3) In section 6A(1) of the Principal Act after "power
of delegation" insert "or the power to dismiss a
15 member of the force under section 68 or suspend a
member under section 68A".
11. Appointments, promotions and transfers
(1) In section 8 of the Principal Act sub-section (3) is
repealed.
20 (2) After section 8AA(2A) of the Principal Act
insert--
"(2B) No appeal may be had in relation to the
promotion of a constable who holds a
position to the rank of senior constable in the
25 same position.".
(3) After section 8AB(1A) of the Principal Act
insert--
"(1B) This section does not apply to a promotion of
a constable who holds a position to the rank
30 of senior constable in the same position.".
12. Oath of office and execution of process
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In the Principal Act--
(a) in section 13(2) omit "who before
administering such oath shall inquire of the
person appearing before him to take the
5 same if he is fully aware of the provisions of
this Act,";
(b) in sections 19 and 20 omit "of or below the
rank of senior sergeant" (wherever
occurring).
10 13. New Division 1 of Part 4 inserted
After the heading to Part IV of the Principal Act
insert--
'Division 1--Dismissal of Unsuitable Members
68. Chief Commissioner may dismiss
15 unsuitable members
(1) The Chief Commissioner, by written order,
may dismiss a member of the force (other
than a Deputy Commissioner or an Assistant
Commissioner) if the Chief Commissioner is
20 satisfied that the member is unsuitable to
continue as a member of the force, having
regard to--
(a) the member's integrity; and
(b) the potential loss of community
25 confidence in the force were the
member to continue as a member of the
force.
(2) Before dismissing a member under this
section, the Chief Commissioner--
30 (a) must give the member a notice setting
out the grounds on which the Chief
Commissioner considers the member is
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unsuitable to continue as a member of
the force; and
(b) must give the member at least 21 days
in which to make written submissions
5 in relation to the proposed dismissal;
and
(c) must take into account any submissions
made by the member during that
period.
10 (3) The order must set out the reasons why the
Chief Commissioner is satisfied that the
member is unsuitable to continue as a
member of the force.
(4) The dismissal takes effect when the order is
15 made.
(5) The Chief Commissioner must give written
notice of the order to the member as soon as
practicable after it is made.
(6) A notice under sub-section (2)(a) or (5) may
20 be given to a member--
(a) in person; or
(b) by sending it by post, facsimile or other
electronic means to the member at his
or her usual or last known residential
25 address; or
(c) by leaving it at the member's usual or
last known residential address with a
person on the premises apparently at
least 16 years old and apparently
30 residing there.
(7) A notice under sub-section (2)(a) or (5) is to
be taken to have been given to a member--
(a) in the case of delivery in person--at the
time of delivery;
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(b) in the case of posting--2 business days
after the day on which the document
was posted;
(c) in the case of facsimile or other
5 electronic transmission--at the time the
transmission is received.
(8) If a facsimile or other electronic transmission
is received after 4.00 p.m. on any day, it is to
be taken to have been received on the next
10 business day.
(9) In this section--
"business day" means a day other than--
(a) a Saturday or Sunday; or
(b) a public holiday or public half-
15 holiday in the place to where the
notice is sent or delivered.
68A. Suspension pending decision
(1) If the Chief Commissioner gives a member
of the force a notice under section 68(2)(a),
20 the Chief Commissioner may suspend the
member with pay pending the making of an
order under section 68(1).
(2) A suspension under sub-section (1) lasts
until the earliest of--
25 (a) the making of an order under section
68(1) dismissing the member; and
(b) the lifting of the suspension by the
Chief Commissioner; and
(c) the expiration of the period of 60 days
30 after the giving of the notice under
section 68(2)(a).
(3) The Chief Commissioner may apply to the
chairperson of the Police Board for an
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extension of the time specified in
sub-section (2)(c).
(4) The chairperson may give the extension if he
or she reasonably believes it is necessary for
5 the proper consideration of the matter by the
Chief Commissioner.
(5) An extension may be given more than once.
68B. Application for review of dismissal order
(1) A member of the force who is dismissed
10 from the force by an order under section
68(1) may apply to the Police Board for a
review of the Chief Commissioner's decision
to make the order on the ground that the
decision was not sound, defensible or well-
15 founded.
(2) An application for review must be made
within 14 days after the member is notified
of the making of the order to which the
application relates.
20 (3) An application for review does not stay the
operation of the order to which it relates.
68C. Procedure on review
(1) In conducting a review, the Police Board
must proceed as follows--
25 (a) first, it must consider the Chief
Commissioner's reasons for the
decision to dismiss the applicant from
the force;
(b) secondly, it must consider the case
30 presented by the applicant as to why the
decision was not sound, defensible or
well-founded;
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(c) thirdly, it must consider the case
presented by the Chief Commissioner
in answer to the applicant's case.
(2) In conducting a review--
5 (a) the Board must proceed with as little
formality and technicality, and as much
speed, as a proper consideration of the
matters relevant to the review permits;
and
10 (b) the Board is bound by the rules of
natural justice.
(3) The applicant has at all times the burden of
establishing that the decision to dismiss the
applicant from the force was not sound,
15 defensible or well-founded.
(4) Without limiting the matters to which the
Board is otherwise required or permitted to
have regard in making its decision, the Board
must have regard to--
20 (a) the public interest (which is taken to
include the interest of maintaining the
integrity of, and community confidence
in, the force and the fact that the Chief
Commissioner made an order under
25 section 68(1)); and
(b) the interests of the applicant.
68D. What may the Police Board order?
(1) If the Police Board is satisfied that the
decision to dismiss the applicant from the
30 force was not sound, defensible or
well-founded, the Board may--
(a) order the Chief Commissioner to
re-instate the applicant as a member of
the force on terms not less favourable
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to the applicant than those that would
have been applicable if he or she had
not been dismissed; or
(b) if the Board considers that it would be
5 impracticable to re-instate the
applicant, order the Chief
Commissioner to pay to the applicant
an amount of compensation not
exceeding the amount of remuneration
10 of the applicant during the period of 12
months immediately before being
dismissed; or
(c) refer the matter back to the Chief
Commissioner for re-consideration in
15 accordance with any directions or
recommendations that the Board
considers appropriate.
(2) If the Board makes an order under
sub-section (1)(a), it may also--
20 (a) order the Chief Commissioner to pay
the applicant an amount stated in the
order that does not exceed the amount
that the applicant would, but for being
dismissed, have received before being
25 re-instated; and
(b) order that the period of service of the
applicant as a member of the force is
taken not to have been broken by the
dismissal.
30 (3) If the applicant was on leave without full pay
during any part of the period of 12 months
immediately before being dismissed, the
maximum amount of compensation that may
be ordered under sub-section (1)(b) to be
35 paid is to be determined as if the applicant
had received full pay while on leave.
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(4) When assessing any compensation payable,
the Board must take into account--
(a) whether the applicant made a
reasonable attempt to find alternative
5 employment; and
(b) the remuneration received in any
alternative employment or that would
have been payable if the applicant had
succeeded in obtaining alternative
10 employment.
(5) If the Board is not satisfied that the decision
to dismiss the applicant from the force was
not sound, defensible or well-founded, the
Board must confirm the order of the Chief
15 Commissioner.
68E. Evidence
(1) The Police Board is not bound by the rules
of evidence or any practices or procedures
applicable to courts of record and, subject to
20 this section, may inform itself on any matter
as it sees fit.
(2) The Board may require evidence to be given
on oath and, for that purpose, a member of
the Board may administer an oath or cause
25 an oath to be administered.
(3) Subject to sub-section (4), evidence is not to
be adduced before the Board unless--
(a) notice of intention to do so, and of the
substance of the evidence, has been
30 given to the Board before the
commencement of the hearing of the
review; and
(b) the Board gives leave.
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(4) Sub-section (3) does not apply to the
following--
(a) the Chief Commissioner's order;
(b) the notice given under section 68(2)(a);
5 (c) any information before the Chief
Commissioner at the time of making
the order, including any submissions
made under section 68(2)(c).
(5) The Board--
10 (a) may give leave under sub-section (3)(b)
in such circumstances as it thinks fit
and having regard to the nature of the
review; and
(b) without limiting paragraph (a), must
15 give leave under sub-section (3)(b) if it
is satisfied--
(i) that there is a real probability that
the applicant may be able to show
that the Chief Commissioner has
20 acted on wrong or mistaken
information; or
(ii) that there is cogent evidence to
suggest that the information
before the Chief Commissioner
25 was unreliable, having been
placed before the Chief
Commissioner maliciously,
fraudulently or vexatiously; or
(iii) that the evidence sought to be
30 adduced might materially have
affected the Chief Commissioner's
decision.
68F. Witnesses
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(1) None of the following is a compellable
witness in a review unless the Board gives
leave--
(a) the Chief Commissioner;
5 (b) a member of the force;
(c) a person employed in the office of the
Chief Commissioner.
(2) The Board may give leave only if it
considers that extraordinary grounds exist
10 that warrant leave being given.
(3) Subject to sub-section (1) and section 68E,
the chairperson of the Board may issue a
summons to a person to attend the Board to
give evidence and produce any documents
15 that are referred to in the summons.
(4) A person who has been properly served with
a summons to attend must not, without
reasonable excuse, fail to--
(a) attend as required by the summons until
20 he or she has been excused or released
from attendance by the Board; or
(b) produce any document referred to in the
summons that is in his or her
possession.
25 Penalty: Imprisonment for 1 month or
10 penalty units or both.
68G. Representation and costs
(1) In a review, the Chief Commissioner and the
applicant may appear personally or be
30 represented by a legal practitioner or, with
the leave of the Board, by any other person.
(2) Subject to sub-section (3), each party is to
bear their own costs of the review.
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(3) The Board may order that a party pay all or a
specified part of the other party's costs of a
review if satisfied that the first party has
conducted themselves in the review in a way
5 that unnecessarily disadvantaged the other
party.
(4) An order for costs may be enforced as a debt
in a court of competent jurisdiction.
68H. Contempt of Police Board
10 A person must not--
(a) insult a member of the Police Board
while that member is performing
functions as member under this
Division; or
15 (b) insult, harass, intimidate, obstruct or
hinder a person attending a hearing of
the Board in a review; or
(c) misbehave at a hearing of the Board in
a review; or
20 (d) do any other act in relation to a review
that would, if the Board were the
Supreme Court, constitute contempt of
that Court.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 3 months or
25 30 penalty units or both.
68I. Protection of review participants
(1) A member of the Police Board has, in the
performance of his or her functions as
member in a review, the same protection and
30 immunity as a judge of the Supreme Court
has in the performance of his or her duties as
judge.
(2) A person representing a party in a review has
the same protection and immunity as a legal
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practitioner has in representing a party in
proceedings in the Supreme Court.
(3) A party to a review has the same protection
and immunity as a party to proceedings in
5 the Supreme Court.
(4) A person appearing as a witness in a review
has the same protection and immunity as a
witness has in proceedings in the Supreme
Court.'.
10 14. Disciplinary matters
(1) In the Principal Act--
(a) in section 70(2)--
(i) for "Upon beginning an investigation"
substitute "At any time during an
15 investigation";
(ii) in paragraph (b) omit "under this Act";
(b) in section 71--
(i) sub-section (2) is repealed;
(ii) in sub-section (3)(b) omit "under this
20 Act";
(c) in section 76(1)(b) after "12 months" insert
"or on any other condition specified in the
determination";
(d) after section 76(1)(c) insert--
25 "(ca) to impose a period, not exceeding
2 years, during which the member will
not be eligible for promotion or transfer
to other duties; or";
(e) in section 77(2) after "the member" insert
30 "or from any other amount payable to the
member by the State";
(f) in section 79--
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(i) in sub-section (1) after "and may"
substitute ", at any time during that
investigation";
(ii) in sub-sections (1)(b) and (2)(b) omit
5 "under this Act";
(g) in section 80(1)(b) after "12 months" insert
"or on any other condition specified in the
determination";
(h) after section 80(1)(c) insert--
10 "(ca) to impose a period, not exceeding
2 years, during which the member will
not be eligible for promotion or transfer
to other duties; or".
(2) After section 80(4) of the Principal Act insert--
15 "(5) A fine imposed under this section may be
recovered in the Magistrates' Court as a civil
debt or by deducting the amount from the
pay of the member or from any other amount
payable to the member by the State.".
20 (3) In section 86 of the Principal Act--
(a) at the foot of sub-section (2) insert--
"Penalty: 50 penalty units.";
(b) sub-sections (3), (4) and (5) are repealed.
15. New section 86AAA inserted
25 After section 86 of the Principal Act insert--
"86AAA. Forfeiture of salary by suspended member
(1) If--
(a) a charge is proven against a member of
the force under Division 2; or
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(b) a member of the force has been charged
with an offence referred to in section 80
and the offence has been found proven;
or
5 (c) a member resigns from the force before
any charge under Division 2 or any
criminal charge referred to in section
80 is finalised--
and the member has been suspended, the
10 member forfeits all salary that accrued to
him or her during the member's suspension
and must repay any salary that has been paid
to him or her during the suspension.
(2) Any salary not repaid under sub-section (1)
15 may be recovered by the Chief
Commissioner, as a debt due to the State, in
a court of competent jurisdiction.
(3) The Chief Commissioner may, on
application to him or her in writing,
20 determine that sub-section (1) does not apply
to a member of the force.".
16. Annual report of Chief Commissioner
In section 86AB(1) of the Principal Act after
"Police Review Commission" insert "or the
25 Police Board".
17. Complaints and investigations
(1) In the penalty provision at the foot of section
86K(1) of the Principal Act for "$1000"
substitute "10 penalty units".
30 (2) For the heading to Division 2 of Part IVA of the
Principal Act substitute--
"Division 2--Complaints and Investigations".
18. Amendment of section 86L
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(1) In section 86L of the Principal Act for sub-section
(2A) substitute--
"(2A) A member of the force must make a
complaint to a member of the force of a more
5 senior rank to that member, or to the Deputy
Ombudsman, about the conduct of another
member of the force if he or she has reason
to believe that the other member is guilty of
serious misconduct.".
10 (2) In the penalty provision at the foot of section
86L(6) of the Principal Act for "$1000" substitute
"10 penalty units".
19. Further changes to Part 4A
In section 86Q(3) of the Principal Act after
15 "direction" (where first occurring) insert ", or
review proceedings under Division 1 of Part IV".
20. New section 86V inserted
After section 86U of the Principal Act insert--
'86V. Prohibition of victimisation
20 (1) A person must not take detrimental action, or
cause, incite or permit detrimental action to
be taken, against a member of the force--
(a) because the member has made a
complaint under section 86L about the
25 conduct of any member of the force; or
(b) because the member has given
information or evidence to the Chief
Commissioner or Deputy Ombudsman
in the course of an investigation under
30 section 86O or 86P; or
(c) because the person believes that the
member has made, or intends to make,
a complaint referred to in paragraph (a)
or has given, or intends to give,
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information or evidence referred to in
paragraph (b).
Penalty: 120 penalty units or imprisonment
for 12 months or both.
5 (2) In determining whether a person takes
detrimental action against a member of the
force it is irrelevant--
(a) whether or not a factor in sub-
section (1) is the only or dominant
10 reason for the action;
(b) whether the person acts alone or in
association with any other person.
(3) It is a defence to a prosecution under sub-
section (1) that the complaint was made
15 frivolously, vexatiously or in bad faith.
(4) In this section--
"detrimental action" means action causing,
comprising or involving any of the
following--
20 (a) injury, damage or loss;
(b) intimidation or harassment;
(c) ostracism;
(d) discrimination, disadvantage or
adverse treatment in relation to
25 employment;
(e) dismissal from, or prejudice in,
employment;
(f) disciplinary proceedings;
"member of the force" includes an
30 employee in the office of the Chief
Commissioner.'.
21. Reviews of non-promotions
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(1) In section 91F(1)(e) of the Principal Act--
(a) for "section 76(1)(d)(e)(f)" substitute
"section 76(1)(ca), (d), (e), (f)";
(b) for "section 80(1)(a)(ii) or (iii) (d)"
5 substitute "section 80(1)(a)(ii) or (iii), (ca),
(d)".
(2) After section 91F(1)(f) of the Principal Act
insert--
"; or
10 (g) not to promote a constable who holds a
position to the rank of senior constable in the
same position.".
22. Amendment of Part 5A headings
In the Principal Act--
15 (a) for the heading to Part VA substitute--
"PART VA--ENFORCEMENT";
(b) after the heading to Part VA insert--
"Division 1--Reinstatement";
(c) after section 92 insert--
20 "Division 2--Offences".
23. New section 95 substituted
For section 95 of the Principal Act substitute--
"95. Bribery and corruption
(1) A member of the force must not--
25 (a) take or solicit any bribe, pecuniary or
otherwise; or
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(b) take or solicit any payment from, or
make any collusive agreement with,
another person to neglect the member's
duty, to take advantage of the member's
5 position or to act in such a manner as to
bring discredit to the force.
Penalty: 100 penalty units.
(2) Proceedings for an offence against sub-
section (1) may be commenced within the
10 period of 3 years after the commission of the
alleged offence.".
24. Penalty for not delivering accoutrements
In section 96 of the Principal Act--
(a) in sub-section (1) omit "and a search warrant
15 may be issued, subject to this section, under
the Magistrates' Court Act 1989 to search
for all and every the arms ammunition
accoutrements horses saddles bridles
clothing and other appointments and things
20 whatsoever which are not so delivered over
wherever the same are found";
(b) sub-sections (2) and (3) are repealed.
25. New Division 3 of Part 5A inserted
After section 98 of the Principal Act insert--
25 'Division 3--Search and seizure
99. What is a relevant offence?
In this Division--
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"relevant offence" means an offence
against any of the following--
(a) section 86(2);
(b) Division 2 of this Part;
5 (c) section 127A.
100. Entry, search and seizure
(1) A member of the force may enter any place,
and may search for and seize anything that
the member believes on reasonable grounds
10 may be evidence of the commission of a
relevant offence that is found at that place if
the entry, search and seizure are made--
(a) with the consent of the occupier of the
place; or
15 (b) in accordance with a warrant issued
under section 100A; or
(c) as provided by section 100D.
(2) The power conferred by this section to seize
a thing includes the power--
20 (a) to remove the thing from the place
where it was found; and
(b) to guard the thing at that place; and
(c) to make copies of the whole or any part
of the thing.
25 (3) A member of the force must not enter and
search any place with the consent of the
occupier unless, before the occupier consents
to that entry, the member has informed the
occupier--
30 (a) of the purpose of the search; and
(b) that the occupier may refuse to give
consent to the entry and search or to the
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seizure of anything found during the
search; and
(c) that the occupier may refuse to consent
to the making of copies of the whole or
5 any part of anything found during the
search; and
(d) that anything seized during the search
may be used in evidence in
proceedings.
10 (4) If an occupier consents to an entry and
search, the member of the force who
requested consent must before entering the
place ask the occupier to sign an
acknowledgment in the prescribed form
15 stating--
(a) that the occupier has been informed of
the purpose of the search and that
anything seized during the search may
be used in evidence in proceedings; and
20 (b) that the occupier has been informed that
he or she may refuse to give consent to
the entry and search; and
(c) that the occupier has given consent; and
(d) the date and time that the occupier
25 consented.
(5) If an occupier consents to the seizure of any
thing during a search under this section, the
member of the force must before seizing the
thing ask the occupier to sign an
30 acknowledgment stating--
(a) that the occupier has consented to the
seizure; and
(b) the date and time that the occupier
consented.
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(6) An occupier who signs an acknowledgment
must be given a copy of the signed
acknowledgment before the member of the
force leaves the place.
5 (7) If, in any proceeding, an acknowledgment
signed by the occupier is not produced to the
court, it must be presumed, until the contrary
is proved, that the occupier did not consent
to the entry and search or to the seizure of
10 the thing.
100A. Search warrant
(1) A member of the force may apply to a
magistrate for the issue of a search warrant
in relation to a particular place if the member
15 believes on reasonable grounds that there is,
or may be within the next 72 hours, at that
place a thing, or things of a particular kind,
that may be evidence of the commission of a
relevant offence.
20 (2) If a magistrate is satisfied by the evidence on
oath, whether oral or by affidavit, of a
member of the force that there are reasonable
grounds to believe that there is, or may be
within the next 72 hours, at a place a thing,
25 or things of a particular kind, that may be
evidence of the commission of a relevant
offence, the magistrate may issue a search
warrant, in accordance with the Magistrates'
Court Act 1989, authorising a member of
30 the force named in the warrant--
(a) to enter the place specified in the
warrant, if necessary by force; and
(b) to search for and seize a thing, or things
of a particular kind, named or described
35 in the warrant and which the member
believes on reasonable grounds to be
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evidence of the commission of a
relevant offence.
(3) A search warrant issued under this section
must state--
5 (a) the purpose for which the search is
required and the nature of the alleged
offence; and
(b) any condition to which the warrant is
subject; and
10 (c) whether entry is authorised to be made
at any time of the day or night or during
stated hours of the day or night; and
(d) a day, not later than 28 days after the
issue of the warrant, on which the
15 warrant ceases to have effect.
(4) Except as provided by this Act, the rules to
be observed with respect to search warrants
under the Magistrates' Court Act 1989
extend and apply to warrants under this
20 section.
100B. Announcement before entry
(1) On executing a search warrant, the member
executing the warrant--
(a) must announce that he or she is
25 authorised by the warrant to enter the
place; and
(b) if the member has been unable to obtain
unforced entry, must give any person at
the place an opportunity to allow entry
30 to the place.
(2) A member need not comply with sub-section
(1) if he or she believes on reasonable
grounds that immediate entry to the place is
required to ensure--
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(a) the safety of any person; or
(b) that the effective execution of the
search warrant is not frustrated.
100C. Details of warrant to be given to occupier
5 If the occupier or another person who
apparently represents the occupier is present
at a place when a search warrant is being
executed, the member executing the warrant
must--
10 (a) identify himself or herself to that
person; and
(b) give the person a copy of the warrant.
100D. Seizure of things not mentioned in the
warrant
15 A member of the force executing a search
warrant may seize a thing not named or
described, or not of a kind named or
described, in the warrant if--
(a) the member believes on reasonable
20 grounds that the thing--
(i) is of a kind that could have been
included in a search warrant
issued under this Division; or
(ii) will afford evidence of the
25 commission of any relevant
offence; and
(b) the member believes on reasonable
grounds that it is necessary to seize the
thing in order to prevent its
30 concealment, loss or destruction, or its
use in committing, continuing or
repeating an offence.
100E. Copies of seized documents
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Act No.
(1) If a member of the force retains possession
of a document seized from a person under
this Division (other than a document that is
the property of the State), the member must
5 give the person, within a reasonable time, a
copy of the document certified as a true copy
by the member.
(2) A copy of a document certified under sub-
section (1) shall be received in all courts and
10 tribunals to be evidence of equal validity to
the original.
100F. Retention and return of seized things
(1) If a member of the force seizes a thing under
this Division (other than a thing that is the
15 property of the State), the member must take
reasonable steps to return it to the person
from whom it was seized if--
(a) the reason for its seizure no longer
exists; and
20 (b) the thing is not required, or likely to be
required, in connection with any
investigation or proposed investigation
under Part IV or IVA.
(2) If the thing seized has not been returned
25 within 6 months after it was seized, the
member must take reasonable steps to return
it unless--
(a) proceedings for the purpose for which
the thing was retained have commenced
30 within that 6 month period and those
proceedings (including any appeal)
have not been completed; or
(b) an investigation under Part IV or IVA
to which the thing is relevant has
35 commenced within that 6 month period
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26
Act No.
and that investigation has not been
completed; or
(c) the Magistrates' Court makes an order
under section 100G extending the
5 period during which the thing may be
retained.
100G. Magistrates' Court may extend 6 month
period
(1) A member of the force may apply to the
10 Magistrates' Court within 6 months after
seizing a thing under this Division for an
extension of the period for which the
member may retain the thing.
(2) The Magistrates' Court may order such an
15 extension if satisfied that retention of the
thing is necessary--
(a) for the purposes of an investigation into
whether a relevant offence has
occurred; or
20 (b) to enable evidence of the commission
of a relevant offence to be obtained for
the purposes of a prosecution; or
(c) for the purposes of an investigation or
proposed investigation under Part IV or
25 IVA.
100H. Things seized may be used in connection
with investigations into conduct
A thing seized (whether under this or any
other Act) in relation to a relevant offence or
30 an offence punishable by imprisonment may
be used in connection with an investigation
into the conduct of a member of the force
under Part IV or IVA.'.
26. New Division heading inserted
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Act No.
Before section 101 of the Principal Act insert--
"Division 4--Imprisonment".
27. New clause 4 of Schedule 1A substituted
In Schedule 1A to the Principal Act for clause 4
5 substitute--
"4. Procedure of the Board
(1) At a meeting or on a review, the person who must
preside is--
(a) the chairperson; or
10 (b) if the chairperson is absent, an appointed
member elected to preside by the other
members present.
(2) At a meeting--
(a) the quorum is 3 members; and
15 (b) the decision of the Board is the decision of the
majority of votes cast; and
(c) the person presiding has a deliberative vote
and, if voting is equal, a second or casting vote.
(3) On a review--
20 (a) the quorum is 3 members; and
(b) the member appointed under section 4D(2)(b)
must be present; and
(c) any question arising is to be decided according
to the opinion of a majority of the members
25 present; and
(d) if the opinions are equally divided, the question
is to be decided according to the opinion of the
person presiding.
(4) Subject to this Act, the Board may regulate its own
30 proceedings.".
28. Further amendment of Schedule 1A
In Schedule 1A to the Principal Act clause 6 is
repealed.
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29. Statute law revision
In section 91I of the Principal Act for "section
91F(e)" substitute "section 91F(1)(e)".
_______________
5
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s. 30
Act No.
PART 3--FIREARMS ACT 1996
No. 66/1996.
30. Definition of "prohibited person"
Reprint No. 2
In section 3(1) of the Firearms Act 1996, in the as at 8 April
1999.
definition of "prohibited person", in
5 paragraph (c)(ii) after "1991" insert--
"; or
(iii) a supervision order under section 26 of the
Crimes (Mental Impairment and
Unfitness to be Tried) Act 1997--".
10 31. New section 186A inserted
After section 186 of the Firearms Act 1996
insert--
"186A. Interstate temporary visitor permits
A person who--
15 (a) ordinarily resides outside Australia; and
(b) holds a permit issued under the law of
another State or a Territory of a kind
specified in the regulations--
does not commit an offence against section 6
20 or 7 while acting under and in accordance
with the permit.".
32. Statute law revision
In the Firearms Act 1996--
(a) in section 3(1) the definition of "pest animal"
25 (where secondly occurring) is repealed;
(b) in section 158(5) for "member" substitute "a
member";
(c) in sections 174(1) and (2) and 175(2)(a) for
"Division" substitute "Part".
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Notes
Act No.
NOTES
By Authority. Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
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Act No.
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