Redfern Legal Centre will write to the NSW Auditor-General requesting a special audit to examine if quotas are unduly influencing the number of stop and searches carried out by NSW police under the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act (2002).
The call comes as statistics reveal that NSW Police have stopped and searched people almost a-quarter-of-a-million times in the last financial year (2018-19) to meet quotas.
The statistics show that last financial year, NSW Police were operating under quotas which required officers to perform 241,632 personal searches, including strip search and ‘frisk’ searches, and a target of 106,307 move-on orders.
Samantha Lee, Head of the Police Accountability legal practice at Redfern Legal Centre states, “The use of targets may explain why the people of NSW have been subjected to a drastic rise in invasive, harmful and potentially unlawful strip searches.
“Strip searches should only be conducted where necessary and urgent legal circumstances exist – not driven by arbitrary targets, or as part of a 'numbers game',” Ms Lee said.
“A quota can place police under enormous pressure to cut corners. This may cause the test of ‘reasonable grounds’ as set out in the legislation to be overlooked in order to meet an unreasonable quota.”
“’Quotas’ or ‘targets’ create unnecessary tension between the public and law enforcement. Targets put frontline officers under enormous pressure, the temptation to cut corners become pervasive.
“If the public believes that searches are being made for reasons other than the goal of law enforcement, then their trust in the legitimacy of the system is substantially eroded."
“It is vital that this matter be referred to the NSW Auditor-General, because such targets could be eroding the rights of many citizens, by subjecting them to unnecessary and potentially unlawful strip searches,” Ms Lee said.
In 2018, it was discovered a significant number of random breath tests conducted by Victoria Police in recent years have been fake, due to perverse incentives in key performance indicators.
Samantha Lee, RLC’s Police Accountability Solicitor, is available for comment. Contact Finn O’Keefe, RLC Communications Manager: 0424 548 019. Email: finn@rlc.org.au.
13 February 2019 | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Redfern Legal Centre will write to the NSW Auditor-General requesting a special audit to examine if quotas are unduly influencing the number of stop and searches carried out by NSW police under the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act (2002).
The call comes as statistics reveal that NSW Police have stopped and searched people almost a-quarter-of-a-million times in the last financial year (2018-19) to meet quotas.
RLC works to redress inequalities in the legal system that adversely and disproportionately affect people experiencing vulnerability. The Centre pursues social change and law reform to reduce these inequalities.
Our legal services include employment law, tenancy, credit and debt, financial abuse, police accountability and government administration, a health justice partnership and an international student legal service. Read more about our services here.
The podcast aims to answer common questions about strip searches and the law, and will explore key issues driving the rising number of police strip strip searches across NSW.
The collaboration will create episodic content exploring a range of topics, written by community and academic lawyers and produced by 2SER Radio. The episodes will cover issues like what to do if you are approached by police and/or drug detection dogs, and what powers police have to search, seize, detain and arrest.
The announcement follows the removal of Chief Commissioner of the LECC, Michael Adams QC, just weeks before further hearings investigating the psychological impact of strip searches on minors were due to be heard.
The federal government’s second draft of its proposed package of Religious Freedom Bills ignores a number of important community concerns raised in submissions by Redfern Legal Centre and many others on the first drafts.
Redfern Legal Centre supports legislation to protect individuals from religious discrimination. However, the Religious Freedom Bills are deeply flawed. Today, RLC made a second submission to the Attorney General to convey its concerns about the proposed amendments.
Position Description
In this role you will gain valuable experience supporting vulnerable clients and working on cutting edge law reform and a variety of credit, debt and consumer law matters. Applications for this position are now closed.
Responsibilities include client intake, file review, general administration, research, legal drafting, interviewing clients, and follow up on client matters, under supervision of the Credit and Debt solicitor.
Redfern Legal Centre is concerned that the voices of young people have been silenced, following the announcement that the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) public inquiry into strip searches on minors by New South Wales police has been cut short.
The announcement follows the removal of Chief Commissioner of the LECC, Michael Adams, QC, before the end of his term, just weeks before further hearings investigating the psychological impact of strip searches on minors were due to be heard.
A series of public hearings conducted by the LECC since October 2019 have revealed allegations involving strip searches on minors, including allegations that children as young as 10 years old had been strip searched, with nothing found.
Samantha Lee, Police Accountability solicitor at Redfern Legal Centre states, “It is highly concerning that the LECC’s investigation into potentially unlawful police strip searches has been cut short.”
“The LECC hearings have provided a powerful outlet for the voices of young people to be heard, uncovering shocking allegations of potential police misconduct. These are allegations that would otherwise have remained confidential and hidden.”
“It has taken enormous courage for these young people to come forward and speak out about potentially illegal police conduct. These brave young people’s voices should not be silenced.”
“It is vital that New South Wales has a well-funded, highly resourced and independent police watchdog, one which can act with integrity and independence,” Ms Lee continued. “The recent removal of two LECC Commissioners and the cutting short of the strip search inquiry will not instil public confidence in such processes.”
Redfern Legal Centre will continue to work with young people to give voice to their experiences of undergoing strip searches.
This year, RLC will be continuing its campaign calling for changes to strip search laws in NSW. Further information is available at www.safeandsound.org.au
For further information, contact Samantha Lee, Head of Police Accountability Redfern Legal Centre: 0418 491 459 or finn@rlc.org.au
06 February 2020 | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
