14E How arrested person to be dealt with

(1) A protective service officer who arrests a person for an offence must ensure that the person is delivered into the custody of a police officer as soon as practicable to be dealt with according to law.

(2) Where a weapon or other thing has been seized from the person under subsection 14D(5), the protective service officer must ensure that the weapon or other thing is delivered to the police officer into whose custody the person is delivered.

(3) In this section:

police officer means:

(a) a member or special member; or

(b) a member, however described, of a police force of a State or Territory; or

(c) a member, however described, of a police force of a foreign country.

14F Release of arrested person

Where:

(a) a person has been arrested by a protective service officer for an offence; and

(b) the person is in the custody of the protective service officer or another protective service officer; and

(c) the protective service officer who has the custody of the person:

(i) ceases to have reasonable grounds for believing that the person committed, or was committing, an offence; or

(ii) ceases to have reasonable grounds for believing that the holding of the person in custody is necessary in order to achieve a purpose mentioned in paragraph 14A(b), and does not have reasonable grounds for believing that the holding of the person in custody is necessary in order to achieve any other purpose mentioned in that paragraph; or

(iii) ceases to have reasonable grounds for believing that proceedings by way of summons against the person for the offence would not achieve a purpose mentioned in paragraph 14A(b), and does not have reasonable grounds for believing that proceedings by way of summons against the person for the offence would not achieve any other purpose mentioned in that paragraph;

the protective service officer must release the person from custody in respect of the offence as soon as practicable.

14G Relationship of Division to other laws

(1) The power of arrest conferred by section 14A on protective service officers is in addition to, and not in derogation of, powers of arrest available to protective service officers under any other law of the Commonwealth or the law of a State or Territory.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), where a protective service officer, in the course of his or her duties as a protective service officer, arrests a person for any offence (whether the arrest is made under section 14A, under any other law of the Commonwealth or under the law of a State or Territory), sections 14B to 14F apply in relation to the arrest despite any other law of the Commonwealth or the law of a State or Territory.

(3) Subsection (2) has effect subject to sections 252 and 253 of the Migration Act 1958.

(4) Subject to subsection (2), the powers conferred, and duties imposed, by this Division on protective service officers are in addition to, and not in derogation of, any other powers conferred, or duties imposed, by any other law of the Commonwealth or the law of a State or Territory, and this Division is not intended to exclude or limit the operation of any other law of the Commonwealth or the law of a State or Territory providing for such powers or duties in so far as it is capable of operating concurrently with this Division.

(5) This Division, in so far as it protects the individual, is in addition to, and not in derogation of, any rights and freedoms of the individual, whether under the law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory, and this Division is not intended to exclude or limit the operation of any law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory providing for those rights and freedoms in so far as it is capable of operating concurrently with this Division.

Division 4 - Powers and duties of members, special members and protective service officers relating to protective service functions

14H Definitions

In this Division:

designated person means:

(a) a member or special member; or

(b) a protective service officer.

police officer means:

(a) a member or special member; or

(b) a member, however described, of a police force of a State or Territory; or

(c) a member, however described, of a police force of a foreign country.

vehicle includes any means of transport (and, without limitation, includes a vessel and an aircraft).

14I Requirement to provide name etc.

(1) If:

(a) a designated person suspects on reasonable grounds that a person (the suspect ) might have just committed, might be committing, or might be about to commit, a protective service offence; and

(b) the suspect is in a place, or in the vicinity of a place, person or thing, in respect of which the Australian Federal Police is performing protective service functions;

the designated person may request the suspect to provide to the designated person:

(c) the suspect’s name; and

(d) the suspect’s residential address; and

(e) the suspect’s reason for being in the place, or in the vicinity of the place, person or thing, in respect of which the Australian Federal Police is performing protective service functions; and

(f) evidence of the suspect’s identity.

(2) If a designated person:

(a) makes a request under subsection (1); and

(b) informs the suspect of the designated person’s authority to make the request; and

(c) informs the suspect that it may be an offence not to comply with the request;

the suspect must not:

(d) fail to comply with the request; or

(e) give a name or address that is false in a material particular.

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

Note: A more serious offence of obstructing a Commonwealth public official may also apply (see section 149.1 of the Criminal Code).

(3) Subsection (2) does not apply if the suspect has a reasonable excuse.

Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (3) (see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code).

14J Stopping and searching

When this section applies

(1) This section applies if a designated person suspects on reasonable grounds that:

(a) a person (the suspect ):

(i) has a thing under the suspect’s immediate control; or

(ii) is occupying a thing; or

(iii) has a thing in a vehicle operated or occupied by the suspect; or

(iv) has brought a thing onto premises at which the Australian Federal Police is performing protective service functions; and

(b) the thing is likely to cause, or is likely to be used by the suspect or another to cause:

(i) substantial damage to a place or a thing in respect of which the Australian Federal Police is performing protective service functions; or

(ii) death or serious harm to a person in respect of whom the Australian Federal Police is performing protective service functions;

in circumstances that would be likely to involve the commission of a protective service offence.

Designated person may stop and search suspect

(2) The designated person may:

(a) stop and detain the suspect for the purpose of searching for the thing; and

(b) do any or all of the following for the purpose of searching for the thing:

(i) if the designated person is of the same sex as the suspect - conduct an ordinary search or a frisk search of the suspect;

(ii) search any thing under the suspect’s immediate control;

(iii) search any vehicle operated or occupied by the suspect.

Conditions relating to conduct of search of suspect

(3) If the designated person is not of the same sex as the suspect, an ordinary search or a frisk search of the suspect for the purpose of searching for the thing may be conducted by:

(a) if another designated person of the same sex as the suspect is reasonably available to conduct the search - that designated person; or

(b) if paragraph (a) does not apply but a police officer or an officer of Customs (within the meaning of subsection 4(1) of the Customs Act 1901) who is of the same sex as the suspect is reasonably available to conduct the search - that police officer or officer of Customs; or

(c) otherwise - any other person:

(i) who is of the same sex as the suspect; and

(ii) who is requested by the designated person to conduct the search; and

(iii) who consents to conduct the search.

(4) If a designated person requests an officer of Customs or another person to conduct a search of a suspect, the designated person must explain to the officer of Customs or the other person:

(a) if the search requested is an ordinary search - the meaning of an ordinary search; and

(b) if the search requested is a frisk search - the meaning of a frisk search; and

(c) that the officer of Customs or the other person must not use more force, or subject a suspect to greater indignity, than is reasonable and necessary in order to conduct the search.

(5) An action or proceeding, whether civil or criminal, does not lie against a person who conducts a search under paragraph (3)(b) or (c) if the person acts in good faith and does not contravene subsection (6).

(6) A designated person or other person who conducts a search of a suspect under this section must not use more force, or subject a suspect to greater indignity, than is reasonable and necessary in order to conduct the search.

(7) A suspect must not be detained under this section for longer than is reasonably necessary for a search to be conducted under this section.

Designated person may search a thing

(8) If subparagraph (1)(a)(iv) applies, the designated person may, for the purpose of searching for the thing mentioned in that subparagraph, search a thing that the designated person suspects on reasonable grounds was brought by the suspect onto premises at which the Australian Federal Police is performing protective service functions.

Other conditions relating to conduct of search of suspect or thing

(9) In searching a thing under subsection (2) or (8), the designated person may use such force as is reasonable and necessary in the circumstances, but must not damage the thing by forcing it, or a part of it, open unless:

(a) if the search is under subsection (2) - the suspect has been given a reasonable opportunity to open the thing or part of it; or

(b) if the search is under subsection (8) - the person (if any) apparently in charge of the thing has been given a reasonable opportunity to open the thing or part of it; or

(c) it is not possible to give that opportunity.

14K Seizure of things found

Designated person may seize a thing being searched for

(1) If, as a result of conducting a search under section 14J, a designated person, or a person who conducted the search under subsection 14J(3) on behalf of a designated person, finds the thing for which the designated person or person was searching, the designated person may seize the thing.

Designated person may seize a dangerous thing

(2) If, as a result of conducting a search under section 14J, a designated person, or a person who conducted the search under subsection 14J(3) on behalf of a designated person, finds a weapon, or other thing, that the designated person suspects on reasonable grounds is likely to be used by the suspect or another to cause death or serious harm to a person:

(a) in respect of whom the Australian Federal Police is performing protective service functions; or

(b) who is in a place, or in the vicinity of a person, place or thing, in respect of which the Australian Federal Police is performing protective service functions;

the designated person may seize the weapon or thing.

Protective service officer must deliver thing seized to police officer

(3) If the designated person is a protective service officer, the designated person must ensure that the thing is delivered into the custody of a police officer as soon as practicable.

14L How seized things must be dealt with

Seizure notice to be served

(1) A police officer who is for the time being responsible for a thing seized under section 14K must, within 7 days after the seizure day, serve a seizure notice on:

(a) the owner of the thing; or

(b) if the owner of the thing cannot be identified after reasonable inquiries - the person from whom the thing was seized.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if:

(a) both:

(i) the owner of the thing cannot be identified after reasonable inquiries; and

(ii) the thing was not seized from a person; or

(b) it is not possible to serve the person required to be served under subsection (1).

(3) A seizure notice must:

(a) identify the thing; and

(b) state the date on which the thing was seized; and

(c) state the ground or grounds on which the thing was seized; and

(d) state that, if the owner does not request the return of the thing within 90 days after the date of the notice, the thing is forfeited to the Commonwealth.

Return of thing seized

(4) The owner of a thing seized under section 14K may request the return of the thing.

(5) A police officer who is for the time being responsible for a thing seized under section 14K must return the thing to its owner if:

(a) the owner requests the return of the thing; and

(b) in the case of a thing seized under subsection 14K(1) - the police officer does not suspect on reasonable grounds that, if the thing is returned to the owner, the thing is likely to cause, or is likely to be used by the owner or another to cause:

(i) substantial damage to a place or thing in respect of which the Australian Federal Police is performing protective service functions; or

(ii) death or serious harm to a person in respect of whom the Australian Federal Police is performing protective service functions;

in circumstances that would be likely to involve the commission of a protective service offence; and

(c) in the case of a thing seized under subsection 14K(2) - the police officer does not suspect on reasonable grounds that, if the thing is returned to the owner, the thing is likely to be used by the owner or another to cause death or serious harm to a person:

(i) in respect of whom the Australian Federal Police is performing protective service functions; or

(ii) who is in a place, or in the vicinity of a person, place or thing, in respect of which the Australian Federal Police is performing protective service functions.

Forfeiture of thing seized

(6) A thing is forfeited to the Commonwealth if the owner of the thing does not request its return:

(a) before the end of the 90th day after the date of the seizure notice in relation to the thing; or

(b) if subsection (2) applied in relation to the thing so that a seizure notice was not served - before the end of the 90th day after the seizure day.

Application to magistrate

(7) If:

(a) the owner of a thing requests the return of the thing:

(i) within 90 days after the date of the seizure notice in relation to the thing; or

(ii) if subsection (2) applied in relation to the thing so that a seizure notice was not served - within 90 days after the seizure day; and

(b) the thing has not been returned to the owner by the end of the 90th day;

the police officer who is for the time being responsible for the thing must, before the end of the 95th day:

(c) return the thing to the owner; or

(d) apply to a magistrate for an order under section 14M.

Seizure day

(8) In this section:

seizure day means:

(a) in relation to a thing seized by a designated person who is a protective service officer - the day on which the thing was delivered into the custody of a police officer under subsection 14K(3); or

(b) in relation to a thing seized by a designated person who is a member or a special member - the day on which the thing was seized.

14M Application to magistrate

(1) If subsection 14L(7) applies, the police officer may apply to a magistrate for an order in relation to the thing to which that subsection applies.

(2) The magistrate must, in determining an application by a police officer under subsection (1), allow the owner of the thing to appear and be heard.

(3) If the magistrate is satisfied that:

(a) in the case of a thing seized under subsection 14K(1) - there are reasonable grounds to suspect that, if the thing is returned to the owner, the thing is likely to cause, or is likely to be used by the owner or another to cause:

(i) substantial damage to a place or thing in respect of which the Australian Federal Police is performing protective service functions; or

(ii) death or serious harm to a person in respect of whom the Australian Federal Police is performing protective service functions;

in circumstances that would be likely to involve the commission of a protective service offence; or

(b) in the case of a thing seized under subsection 14K(2) - there are reasonable grounds to suspect that, if the thing is returned to the owner, the thing is likely to be used by the owner or another to cause death or serious harm to a person:

(i) in respect of whom the Australian Federal Police is performing protective service functions; or

(ii) who is in a place, or in the vicinity of a person, place or thing, in respect of which the Australian Federal Police is performing protective service functions;

the magistrate may make any of the following orders:

(c) that the thing be retained by the police officer for the period specified in the order;

(d) that the thing is forfeited to the Commonwealth;

(e) that the thing is to be sold and the proceeds given to the owner;

(f) that the thing is to be otherwise sold or disposed of.

(4) If the magistrate is not satisfied as mentioned in subsection (3), the magistrate must order that the thing be returned to the owner.

14N Relationship of Division to other laws

The powers conferred, and duties imposed, by this Division on protective service officers, members and special members are in addition to, and not in derogation of, any other powers conferred,or duties imposed, by any other law of the Commonwealth or the law of a State or Territory, and this Division is not intended to exclude or limit the operation of any other law of the Commonwealth or the law of a State or Territory in so far as it is capable of operating concurrently with this Division.

28   After subsection 36(4)

Insert:

Protective service officers

(4A) A person declared to be a protective service officer under section 40EA must, immediately after the declaration:

(a) enter into an undertaking, in accordance with the form prescribed by the regulations, relating to the performance of his or her duties; and

(b) make and subscribe, before the Commissioner or a person authorised by the Commissioner, such oath or affirmation as is prescribed by the regulations.

Special protective service officers

(4B) A person appointed under section 40EC to assist in performing the protective service functions of the Australian Federal Police must, immediately after his or her appointment:

(a) enter into an undertaking, in accordance with the form prescribed by the regulations, relating to the performance of his or her duties; and

(b) make and subscribe, before the Commissioner or a person authorised by the Commissioner, such oath or affirmation as is prescribed by the regulations.

29   Section 39

Omit “or a special member”, substitute “, a special member or a special protective service officer”.

30   Section 40

Omit “or a special member”, substitute “, a special member or a special protective service officer”.

31   Paragraph 40(e)

Omit “or the special member”, substitute “, the special member or the special protective service officer”.

32   Subsection 40A(1)

Omit “or a special member”, substitute “, a special member or a special protective service officer”.

33   Subsection 40A(2)

Omit “or special member”, substitute “, special member or special protective service officer”.

34   Section 40B

After “AFP employee”, insert “(other than a protective service officer)”.

35   At the end of section 40B

Add:

Note 1: A person who is currently a protective service officer may be declared to be a member if the person ceases to be a protective service officer.

Note 2: This section does not prevent a protective service officer from being appointed as a special member.

36   After Division 3 of Part IV

Insert:

Division 3A - Conferral of status of protective service officer

40EA AFP employees who are protective service officers

The Commissioner may, by writing, declare an AFP employee (other than a member) to be a protective service officer of the Australian Federal Police if the Commissioner is satisfied that the employee meets the requirements specified in a determination under section 40EB.

Note 1: A person who is currently a member may be declared to be a protective service officer if the person ceases to be a member.

Note 2: This section does not prevent a member from being appointed as a special protective service officer.

40EB Determination of competency or qualification requirements

The Commissioner may, by written determination, specify either or both of the following for the purposes of section 40EA:

(a) competency requirements;

(b) qualification requirements.

Division 3B - Special protective service officers

40EC Special protective service officers

The Commissioner may, on such terms and conditions as the Commissioner determines in writing, appoint a person as a special protective service officer of the Australian Federal Police to assist in performing the protective service functions of the Australian Federal Police.

40ED Powers and duties of special protective service officers

A special protective service officer has:

(a) any powers and duties that are expressly conferred or imposed on special protective service officers under a provision of this Act or any other Act; and

(b) such of the powers and duties conferred or imposed on protective service officers as are specified in his or her instrument of appointment.

37   After paragraph 60A(1)(d)

Insert:

(da) a special protective service officer; or

38   Subsection 61(1)

Omit “or a special member”, substitute “, a special member or a special protective service officer”.

39   Paragraph 63(1)(c)

Omit “member; or”, substitute “member.”.

40   Paragraph 63(1)(d)

Repeal the paragraph.

41   Subsection 63(2)

Omit “, (c) and (d)”, substitute “and (c)”.

Note: The heading to section 63 is replaced by the heading “ Personation etc. of member or special member ”.

42   After section 63

Insert:

63A Personation etc. of protective service officer or special protective service officer

(1) A person, not being a protective service officer or a special protective service officer, must not:

(a) wear or display any uniform or badge of a protective service officer or special protective service officer, any colourable imitation of such a uniform or badge, or any uniform or badge so closely resembling such a uniform or badge as to be likely to deceive; or

(b) have in the person’s possession any arms or ammunition, or any article of clothing, accoutrements or equipment, supplied to any protective service officer or special protective service officer.

Penalty: Imprisonment for 12 months.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the person has a reasonable excuse.

Note: The defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (2). See subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code.

63B Possession of documents etc.

(1) A person, not being a member, special member, protective service officer or special protective service officer, must not have in the person’s possession any book or document issued by, or purporting to be issued by, the Australian Federal Police.

Penalty: Imprisonment for 12 months.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the person has a reasonable excuse.

Note: The defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (2). See subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code.

43   Subsection 64(2)

Omit “or special member” (wherever occurring), substitute “, special member, protective service officer or special protective service officer”.

44   Subsection 64A(1)

Omit “on, or attached to, the front of his or her uniform”, substitute “clearly visible on the uniform”.

45   After section 64A

Insert:

64AAA Protective service officers in uniform to wear identification numbers

(1) A protective service officer must, at all times when he or she is wearing his or her protective service officer uniform, wear his or her identification number clearly visible on the uniform.

Penalty: 5 penalty units.

(2) Subsection (1) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability , see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

(3) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1) if the defendant proves that his or her identification number was not clearly visible on the uniform as a consequence of:

(a) the act of another person (not being a protective service officer) done without the consent of the defendant; or

(b) an unintentional omission of the defendant.

Note: The defendant bears a legal burden in relation to the matter in subsection (3). See section 13.4 of the Criminal Code.

(4) The Commissioner must take such steps as are necessary to enable protective service officers to whom subsection (1) applies to comply with that subsection.

46   After section 64AA

Insert:

64AAB Suspended AFP employees who are protective service officers

If an AFP employee who is a protective service officer is suspended from duties under the regulations, the protective service officer must not, while the suspension is in force, exercise any power conferred on a protective service officer by this Act or any other law of the Commonwealth or of a Territory.

Penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.

47   Subsection 64B(1)

After “a member” (wherever occurring), insert “or a protective service officer”.

48   At the end of subsection 64B(1)

Insert “or the protective service officer”.

49   Subsection 64B(2)

After “a member” (wherever occurring), insert “or a protective service officer”.

50   Subsection 64B(4)

After “a member” (wherever occurring), insert “or a protective service officer”.

51   Subsection 64B(4)

After “the member” (wherever occurring), insert “or the protective service officer”.

52   At the end of paragraph 64B(5)(a)

Add “and”.

53   At the end of subsection 64B(5)

Add:

; and (d) a reference to a protective service officer includes a reference to a special protective service officer.

54   Subsection 66(1)

Omit “or a special member”, substitute “, a special member or a special protective service officer”.

55   Subsection 66(2)

Omit “or special member”, substitute “, special member or special protective service officer”.

56   After subsection 68(4)

Insert:

AFP employees who are protective service officers

(4A) The Commissioner may, by writing signed by the Commissioner, certify that a specified person has been declared to be a protective service officer under section 40EA and may also certify all or any of the following in relation to the person:

(a) that he or she entered into the undertaking mentioned in subsection 36(4A) immediately after the declaration under section 40EA;

(b) that, on a specified date, he or she made and subscribed the oath or affirmation mentioned in the certificate before the Commissioner or a specified person authorised by the Commissioner for the purposes of subsection 36(4A);

(c) that he or she is, on the date on which the certificate is signed, a protective service officer and has been such a protective service officer continuously since the declaration under section 40EA.

Special protective service officers

(4B) The Commissioner may, by writing signed by the Commissioner, certify that a specified person has been appointed as a special protective service officer under section 40EC and may also certify all or any of the following in relation to the person:

(a) that he or she entered into the undertaking mentioned in subsection 36(4B) immediately after his or her appointment;

(b) that, on a specified date, he or she made and subscribed the oath or affirmation mentioned in the certificate before the Commissioner or a specified person authorised by the Commissioner for the purposes of subsection 36(4B);

(c) that he or she is, on the date on which the certificate is signed, a special member and has been such a special member continuously since he or she was so appointed.

Certification that a person is or is not a protective service officer or special protective service officer

(4C) The Commissioner may, by writing signed by the Commissioner, certify that a specified person:

(a) is, or is not, a protective service officer or a special protective service officer; or

(b) was, or was not, on a specified day, or during a specified period, a protective service officer or a special protective service officer.

57   After section 68

Insert:

68A Certificates in relation to transferred PSOs

(1) This section applies in relation to a person who is a transferred PSO, instead of subsection 68(4A).

(2) The Commissioner may, by writing signed by the Commissioner, certify that a specified person is a transferred PSO.

(3) The Commissioner may also certify either or both of the following in relation to the person:

(a) that the person made and subscribed an oath or affirmation under section 10 of the Australian Protective Service Act 1987;

(b) that the person is, on the date on which the certificate is signed, a protective service officer and has been such a protective service officer continuously since being appointed under section 9 of the Australian Protective Service Act 1987.

(4) Unless the contrary is proved, a document purporting to be a certificate given under this section is taken to be such a certificate and to have been duly given.

(5) A certificate under this section is prima facie evidence of the matters stated in the certificate.

(6) In this section:

APS transferee means a person who, immediately before the transfer time, was an employee assisting the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police under subsection 5(2) of the Australian Protective Service Act 1987.

transferred PSO means an APS transferee who, immediately before the transfer time, was a protective service officer within the meaning of the Australian Protective Service Act 1987.

transfer time means the time specified by the Public Service Commissioner in a determination under paragraph 72(1)(b) of the Public Service Act 1999 as the time at which the APS transferees become employees of the Australian Federal Police.

58   After section 69D

Insert:

69E Commissioner may charge for certain protective services

(1) If services are provided by a protective service officer or a special protective service officer at the request of a person other than:

(a) a person holding office under the Commonwealth; or

(b) a Commonwealth authority;

the Commissioner may charge for the services.

(2) A charge made under subsection (1) must be an amount reasonably related to the cost of providing the services.

(3) In this section:

Commonwealth authority means:

(a) a body, whether incorporated or unincorporated, established for a public purpose:

(i) by or under a law of the Commonwealth or a law of a Territory other than the Australian Capital Territory or the Northern Territory; or

(ii) by the Governor-General or a Minister; or

(b) an incorporated company in which the Commonwealth or a body described in paragraph (a) has a controlling interest; or