NCJ Number
51698
Date Published
1978
Length
128 pages
Annotation
THE EXTENT AND NATURE OF THE STATUTORY AND COMMON LAW POWERS OF POLICE IN BRITAIN ARE EXAMINED, AND BRITISH LAWS RELEVANT TO POLICE POWERS ARE REVIEWED.
Abstract
THE DISCUSSION IS DIRECTED PRIMARLY TO POLICE OFFICERS, WITH A VIEW TO HELPING THEM AVOID SUCH THINGS AS WRONGFUL ARRESTS AND IMPROPER COLLECTION OF EVIDENCE. A SURVEY OF POLICE POWERS IS ARRANGED ALONG THE LINES OF A TYPICAL CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION, COVERING SURVEILLANCE (VISUAL OBSERVATION, EAVESDROPPING, TELEPHONE TAPPING, INTERCEPTION OF LETTERS AND TELEGRAMS, FINANCIAL INVESTIGATION); QUESTIONING; ARREST (ARRESTS UNDER WARRANT AND OTHERWISE, THE NATURE OF ARREST, DETENTION); SEARCH AND SEIZURE (STATUTORY AND COMMON LAW POWERS, COMMON LAW POWER TO ENTER, SEIZURE OF PROPERTY WITHOUT A WARRANT); AND DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY. THE AUTHORITY OF THE POLICE TO ISSUE LICENSES, PERMITS, AND CERTIFICATES IS ALSO REVIEWED. A SUMMARY OF LEGISLATION RELEVANT TO POLICE POWER TOUCHES ON THE STATUTORY POWERS OF ARREST, SEARCH, AND SEIZURE; STATUTORY POWERS ENABLING POLICE TO ISSUE CERTAIN FORMS OF AUTHORIZATION OR TO OBTAIN INFORMATION; ANTITERRORISM LEGISLATION; AND LEGISLATION ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. TABLES OF CASES AND STATUTES AND AN INDEX ARE INCLUDED. (LKM)