Police Powers Sniffer Dogs Presented by Justin Wong

Police Powers & Sniffer Dogs Presented by Justin Wong & Maxine Malaney

1. Legislative Basis and Caselaw • LEPRA provisions • Darby v DPP (2004) 61 NSWLR 558 Outline 2. Recent Developments/Effectiveness 3. Evidence Act, Section 138 4. Questions

Power to Search Section 146 Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 (1)If a police officer is authorised to search a person for the purpose of detecting a drug offence, the officer is entitled to use a dog for that purpose. (2)A police officer is, for the purpose of detecting a drug offence, entitled to be accompanied by a dog under the officer's control if the officer is entitled to enter, or be in or on, particular premises in the exercise of the officer's functions.

Power to Search Section 21 Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 (1)A police officer may, without a warrant, stop, search and detain a person, and anything in the possession of or under the control of the person, if the police officer suspects on reasonable grounds that any of the following circumstances exists: (d) the person has in his or her possession or under his or her control, in contravention of the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 , a prohibited plant or a prohibited drug.

• Subjective element: state of mind must be formed by police officer who does search Hyder v Commonwealth of Australia [2012] NSWCA 336 • Objective element of test: ‘reasonable grounds’ requires facts which are sufficient to induce that state of mind in a reasonable person • Must be some factual basis for the suspicion or belief • Reasonable grounds must be judged against what was known or reasonably capable of being known at the relevant time

“If the police officer suspects on reasonable grounds…” Standard Operating Procedures: Planned Drug Detection Dog Operations • “Police are again reminded that an indication given by a drug detection dog DOES NOT on its own provide police with the power to search, nor does it suffice for an officer to 'suspect on reasonable grounds' possession of a prohibited drug. ” • “…investigating police need to make their own assessment. This can include observations, asking questions, intelligence received, etc, in an effort to build sufficient information to 'suspect on reasonable grounds’. ”

Where can they search? Section 148 Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 (1) A police officer may, without a warrant, use a dog to carry out general drug detection in relation to the following persons: a) Premises being used for the consumption of liquor sold at the premises ` b) Public place where there is a sporting event, concert, dance party, parade… c) Public passenger vehicle d) Premises authorized under the Tattoo Parlours Act 2012 e) Kings Cross precinct Section 149 Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 (2) A police officer who has reasonable grounds for believing that the persons at any public place may include persons committing drug offences may apply to an authorised officer for a warrant under this section.

Facts Darby v DPP (2004) 61 NSWLR 558 • Darby charged with possession of ice and cannabis • Waiting in line outside nightclub when approached by sniffer dog • Dog was “bunting and ferreting” at pocket Issue • Did actions of police dog amount to a search? If so, was search was illegal? Ipp JA, Mc. Coll JA agreeing • Dog’s actions did not amount to a ‘search’ • Important when reasonable suspicion was formed – must be formed prior to search

How effective are they? • 2006 Ombudsman Review: • 26% of searches revealed drugs • 84% of drugs found were cannabis • 2016 Police figures: • 32% of searches revealed drugs • Cost of $9, 420, 416. 57 (average) per year from 2010 -16

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

Exclusion of improperly or illegally obtained evidence (1) Evidence that was obtained: Section 138 Evidence Act 1995 (a) improperly or in contravention of an Australian law, or (b) in consequence of an impropriety or of a contravention of an Australian law, is not to be admitted unless the desirability of admitting the evidence outweighs the undesirability of admitting evidence that has been obtained in the way in which the evidence was obtained.

Evidence Act s 138 considerations Identify the nature of the impropriety or illegality Was there a proper indication by the dog? Did the searching officer have reasonable grounds other than the dog indication to suspect that the accused was in possession of a prohibited drug? Evidence "obtained” and seriousness of offence

Questions?