Police powers
When the police can enter your home, search you, question you, or arrest you
What this chapter covers
- Entry powers: When the police can come into your home
Rules and restrictions around the police entering your home - Search powers: When the police can search you, your home or your things
Rules around police search powers when it comes to you and your personal property - Being questioned by the police
When you have to answer their questions and give information - Being arrested or held (“detained”) by the police
When the police can arrest or hold (“detain”) you, and what your rights are if you’ve been arrested - Surveillance powers
What rights the police do and don’t have when surveilling you and your devices - Police use of guns
The police’s legal powers, policy and practice when it comes to carrying guns - DNA samples: When you have to give a sample
When you have to give the police a mouth-swab or blood sample so they can test your DNA - Information the police hold about you: How to get access to it
Accessing police records - Complaining about the police
How to complain about the police and who you can complain to - Where to go for more support
Other information and resources