Police Powers Essay

526 Words3 Pages
Discuss the powers of police in the criminal process. Make reference to the role of discretion in the criminal justice system Police powers, refers to the authority that the law enforcement body has when investigating a crime. The powers that police have include search and seizure, access to information, interrogation, electronic surveillance, medical examinations, detention, fingerprints and photographing. These powers allow police to deepen their investigation and to effectively obtain justice for victims and society. Furthermore, the discretion of police can play a large role in the investigation of criminal offences; however, it can lead to certain individuals in society being targeted. The amount of power that police currently have is enough to successfully achieve justice and to sufficiently protect the community. It is imperative to the safety of society that police have a large degree of power in criminal investigations. The New South Wales police force under the Law Enforcement (Power and Responsibilities) Act 2002 is given special legal powers to enable them to effectively carry out their duties. The ‘7:30 report – Sydney shootings spark call for expanded police powers’ supports the importance of police having a high degree of authority in criminal matters. This article chronicles the escalating issue of gun violence within Sydney and the ever present need for police to have a high standard of power to alleviate the issue. The NSW Police Association president, Scott Weber states that the increased police power is ‘an important tool in preventing reoffending.' Police powers enable this law enforcement body to thoroughly investigate matters which work to protect society. The special powers that are delegated to law enforcement bodies, such as police are often controversial as they conflict with the rights of citizens, which means that the power of police

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