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CONTROL OF WEAPONS ACT 1990 - SCHEDULE 1

CONTROL OF WEAPONS ACT 1990 - SCHEDULE 1

Schedule 1—Conduct of searches

Sections 10 and 10G(2)

Sch. 1 cl. 1 amended by Nos 42/2010 s. 21(4), 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 28.15).

        1     Application of Schedule

This Schedule applies to any search of a person or any thing in the possession or under the control of a person carried out, or authorised to be carried out, by a police officer under section 10 or  10G, except as otherwise provided by this Act or the regulations.

        2     Definitions

In this Schedule—

Sch. 1 cl. 2 def. of

child repealed by No. 42/2010 s. 17(a).

    *     *     *     *     *

"electronic metal detection device" means an electronic device that is capable of detecting the presence of metallic objects;

"impaired intellectual functioning" means—

        (a)     total or partial loss of a person's mental functions; or

        (b)     a disorder or malfunction that results in a person learning differently from a person without the disorder or malfunction; or

        (c)     a disorder, illness or disease that affects a person's thought processes, perceptions of reality, emotions or judgment, or that results in disturbed behaviour;

"initial electronic device search" means a search of a person or thing by passing an electronic metal detection device over or in close proximity to the person's outer clothing or the thing;

Sch. 1 cl. 2 def. of planned designation search inserted by No. 42/2010 s. 17(b).

"planned designation search"
means a search conducted under section 10G in an area in respect of which a declaration under section 10D is in effect;

Note

Section 10D provides for the planned designation of a search area.

"strip search" of a person means a search of the person or of a thing in the possession or under the control of the person that may include—

        (a)     requiring the person to remove all of his or her clothes; and

        (b)     an examination of the person's body (but not of the person's body cavities) and of those clothes;

"thing" includes any object, article or material;

Sch. 1 cl. 2 def. of transgender person repealed by No. 42/2010 s. 17(a).

    *     *     *     *     *

"weapon" means—

        (a)     a prohibited weapon; or

        (b)     a controlled weapon; or

        (c)     a dangerous article.

Sch. 1 cl. 3 amended by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 28.15).

        3     Initial electronic device search

A police officer who is authorised to search a person or thing under section 10G may carry out an initial electronic device search of that person or thing.

        4     Examination of things

Sch. 1 cl. 4(1) amended by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 28.16(a)).

    (1)     If, as a result of an initial electronic device search under clause 3, a police officer considers that a person may be concealing a weapon, the police officer may examine any thing in the possession or under the control of the person in accordance with subclause (3).

Sch. 1 cl. 4(2) amended by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 28.16(b)).

    (2)     A police officer who is authorised to search a thing under section 10 may examine the thing in accordance with subclause (3).

Sch. 1 cl. 4(3) amended by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 28.16(c)(i)).

    (3)     The police officer may—

        (a)     request the person—

              (i)     to produce and empty of its contents any bag, basket or other receptacle; or

              (ii)     to turn out his or her pockets; or

        (b)     search through any bag, basket or other receptacle; or

        (c)     search through and move the contents of any bag, basket or other receptacle; or

Sch. 1 cl. 4(3)(d) amended by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 28.16(c)(ii)).

        (d)     if the police officer considers it appropriate in the circumstances, pat down the area of the person's pockets; or

        (e)     search through and move the contents of the person's pockets turned out in accordance with paragraph (a)(ii) or patted down under paragraph (d).

        5     Outer search of the person

Sch. 1 cl. 5(1) amended by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 28.17(a)).

    (1)     If, as a result of an initial electronic device search under clause 3, a police officer considers that a person may be concealing a weapon, a police officer may conduct a further search of the person in accordance with subclauses (3) and (4).

Sch. 1 cl. 5(2) amended by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 28.17(a)).

    (2)     A police officer who is authorised to search a person under section 10 may conduct a search of the person in accordance with subclauses (3) and (4).

Sch. 1 cl. 5(3) amended by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 28.17(b)).

    (3)     The police officer may run his or her hands over the person's outer clothing.

Sch. 1 cl. 5(4) amended by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 28.17(b)).

    (4)     The police officer may ask the person to remove his or her overcoat, coat or jacket or similar article of clothing and any gloves, shoes or hat and the police officer may then—

        (a)     pass an electronic metal detection device over or in close proximity to the person's outer clothing after the overcoat, coat or jacket is removed; and

        (b)     run his or her hands over the person's outer clothing after the overcoat, coat or jacket is removed; and

        (c)     search the person's items of clothing that were removed by examining the interior and exterior of the item and by passing an electronic metal detection device over or in close proximity to the item.

        6     Preservation of dignity during outer search

Sch. 1 cl. 6(1) amended by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 28.18(a)).

    (1)     A police officer who searches a person under clause 5 must, as far as is reasonably practicable in the circumstances, comply with this clause.

Sch. 1 cl. 6(2) amended by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 28.18(b)).

    (2)     The police officer must inform the person to be searched of the following matters—

        (a)     whether the person will be required to remove clothing during the search;

        (b)     if the person will be required to remove clothing during the search, why it is necessary to remove the clothing.

Sch. 1 cl. 6(3) amended by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 28.18(b)).

    (3)     The police officer must ask for the person's cooperation.

Sch. 1 cl. 6(4) amended by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 28.18(b)).

    (4)     The police officer must conduct the search—

        (a)     in a way that provides reasonable privacy for the person searched; and

        (b)     as quickly as is reasonably practicable.

Sch. 1 cl. 6(5) amended by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 28.18(b)).

    (5)     The police officer must conduct the least invasive kind of search that is reasonably necessary in the circumstances.

Sch. 1 cl. 6(6) amended by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 28.18(c)).

    (6)     A search that involves running hands over the outer clothing of a person must, if reasonably practicable, be conducted by a police officer who is of the same sex as the person being searched.

        7     Strip searches

Sch. 1 cl. 7(1) amended by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 28.19(a)(i)).

    (1)     A police officer is authorised to conduct a strip search of a person if—

        (a)     a search of the person or a thing in the possession or under the control of the person has been conducted under clause 4 or 5; and

Sch. 1 cl. 7(1)(b) amended by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 28.19(a)(ii)).

        (b)     the police officer reasonably suspects that the person has a weapon concealed on his or her person; and

Sch. 1 cl. 7(1)(c) amended by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 28.19(a)(ii)).

        (c)     the police officer believes on reasonable grounds that it is necessary to conduct a strip search of the person for the purposes of the search and that the seriousness and urgency of the circumstances require the strip search to be carried out.

Sch. 1 cl. 7(2) amended by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 28.19(b)).

    (2)     A police officer may direct the person to accompany the police officer to a police vehicle or other private area nearby for the purposes of the search.

        8     Information to be provided before strip search

Sch. 1 cl. 8(1) amended by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 28.20(a)(i)(ii)).

    (1)     Before a police officer commences a strip search of a person, the police officer must—

Sch. 1 cl. 8(1)(a) amended by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 28.20(a)(iii)).

        (a)     inform the person to be searched of the police officer's name, rank and place of duty; and

        (b)     if requested by the person, provide the information referred to in paragraph (a) in writing; and

Sch. 1 cl. 8(1)(c) amended by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 28.20(a)(ii)).

        (c)     produce his or her identification for inspection by the person, unless the police officer is in uniform; and

Sch. 1 cl. 8(1)(d) amended by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 28.20(a)(ii)).

        (d)     inform the person that the police officer intends to search the person for weapons and is empowered to do so under this Act.

Sch. 1 cl. 8(2) amended by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 28.20(b)).

    (2)     A police officer is not required to provide this information to a person if the police officer provided the information to the person under section 10(3) or 10I.

        9     Rules for strip searches

Sch. 1 cl. 9(1) amended by Nos 42/2010 s. 21(5), 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 28.21(a)).

    (1)     A police officer who conducts a strip search of a person must comply with this clause.

Sch. 1 cl. 9(2) amended by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 28.21(b)).

    (2)     The police officer must inform the person to be searched of the following matters—

        (a)     as to whether the person will be required to remove clothing during the search;

        (b)     if the person will be required to remove clothing during the search, why it is necessary to remove the clothing.

Sch. 1 cl. 9(3) amended by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 28.21(b)).

    (3)     The police officer must ask for the person's cooperation.

Sch. 1 cl. 9(4) amended by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 28.21(b)).

    (4)     The police officer must conduct the least invasive kind of search that is reasonably necessary in the circumstances.

    (5)     The strip search must be conducted in a manner that preserves the dignity and self-respect of the person being searched.

    (6)     The strip search must be conducted in a private area and in a way that provides reasonable privacy for the person being searched.

    (7)     The strip search must be conducted as quickly as is reasonably practicable.

    (8)     The strip search must be conducted in a manner that avoids unnecessary force.

Sch. 1 cl. 9(9) substituted by No. 42/2010 s. 18(1), amended by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 28.21(c)).

    (9)     The strip search must be conducted by a police officer, or a person under the direction of a police officer, who is of—

        (a)     unless paragraph (b) applies, the same sex as the person being searched; or

        (b)     if the person being searched identifies as a member of a particular gender, that gender.

Sch. 1 cl. 9(10) substituted by No. 42/2010 s. 18(2).

    (10)     The strip search must not be conducted in the presence or view of a person who is not of—

        (a)     unless paragraph (b) applies, the same sex as the person being searched; or

        (b)     if the person being searched identifies as a member of a particular gender, that gender.

Sch. 1 cl. 9(11) amended by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 28.21(d)).

    (11)     The strip search must not be conducted in the presence or view of a person whose presence is not necessary for the purposes of the search or the safety of the person or the police officers engaged in the search.

Sch. 1 cl. 9(12) amended by Nos 42/2010 s. 18(3), 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 28.21(e)).

    (12)     The police officer must not search the genital area of the person searched, or in the case of a female or a person who identifies as a female, the person's breasts unless the police officer suspects on reasonable grounds that it is necessary to do so for the purposes of the search.

    (13)     A strip search must not involve a search of a person's body cavities or an examination of the body by touch.

    (14)     A strip search must not involve the removal of more clothes than the person conducting the search believes on reasonable grounds to be reasonably necessary for the purposes of the search.

    (15)     A strip search must not involve more visual inspection than the person conducting the search believes on reasonable grounds to be reasonably necessary for the purposes of the search.

    (16)     A person must be allowed to dress as soon as a search is finished.

Sch. 1 cl. 10 amended by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 28.22).

        10     Examination of clothing

A police officer may search any item of clothing of a person removed during a strip search by examining the interior and exterior of the item and by passing an electronic metal detection device over or in close proximity to the item.

        11     Rules for searches of children

Sch. 1 cl. 11(1) amended by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 28.23(a)).

    (1)     This clause applies if a police officer reasonably believes that a person to be searched by the police officer under clause 5 or 7 is a child.

    (2)     This clause does not apply to a search of a child under clause 5 that is a search by means of an electronic metal detection device.

Sch. 1 cl. 11(3) amended by No. 42/2010 s. 19(1).

    (3)     A planned designation search of a child must be conducted in the presence of—

        (a)     a parent or guardian of the child being searched; or

        (b)     if the child is mature enough to express an opinion and indicates that the presence of the parent or guardian is not acceptable to the child, in the presence of an independent person who is capable of representing the interests of the child and who, as far as is practicable in the circumstances, is acceptable to the child.

    (4)     Subclause (3) does not apply if—

        (a)     a parent or guardian is not then present; and

        (b)     the seriousness and urgency of the circumstances require the search to be conducted without delay; and

        (c)     the search is conducted in the presence of an independent person who is capable of representing the interests of the child and who, as far as is practicable in the circumstances, is acceptable to the child.

Sch. 1 cl. 11(5) inserted by No. 42/2010 s. 19(2).

    (5)     A search (other than a planned designation search) of a child must, if practicable in the circumstances, be conducted in the presence of—

        (a)     a parent or guardian of the child being searched; or

Sch. 1 cl. 11(5)(b) amended by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 28.23(b)).

        (b)     if it is not practicable in the circumstances for a parent or guardian of the child to be present, any person (whether or not he or she is a police officer) other than a police officer who is conducting the search.

        12     Rules for searches of persons with impaired intellectual functioning

Sch. 1 cl. 12(1) amended by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 28.24(a)).

    (1)     This clause applies if a police officer reasonably believes that a person to be searched by the police officer under clause 5 or 7 is a person with impaired intellectual functioning.

    (2)     This clause does not apply to a search under clause 5 of a person with impaired intellectual functioning if the search is by means of an electronic metal detection device.

Sch. 1 cl. 12(3) amended by No. 42/2010 s. 20(1).

    (3)     A planned designation search of a person who has impaired intellectual functioning, must be conducted in the presence of a parent or guardian of the person being searched or, if that is not acceptable to the person, in the presence of an independent person who is capable of representing the interests of the person and who, as far as is practicable in the circumstances, is acceptable to the person.

    (4)     Subclause (3) does not apply if—

        (a)     a parent or guardian is not then present; and

        (b)     the seriousness and urgency of the circumstances require the search to be conducted without delay; and

        (c)     the search is conducted in the presence of an independent person who is capable of representing the interests of the person to be searched and who, as far as is practicable in the circumstances, is acceptable to the person.

Sch. 1 cl. 12(5) inserted by No. 42/2010 s. 20(2).

    (5)     A search (other than a planned designation search) of a person who has impaired intellectual functioning must, if practicable in the circumstances, be conducted in the presence of—

        (a)     a parent or guardian of the person being searched; or

Sch. 1 cl. 12(5)(b) amended by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 28.24(b)).

        (b)     if it is not practicable in the circumstances for a parent or guardian of the person to be present, any person (whether or not he or she is a police officer) other than a police officer who is conducting the search.

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