NCJ Number
186322
Date Published
June 2000
Length
144 pages
Annotation
This analysis of police strip searches in Queensland, Australia, sought to respond to strong public interest in how and why police conduct strip searches in this State.
Abstract
The main data sources included written statements in response to a December 1999 report on the topic, information about complaints, a survey of defendants, a survey of practices at 10 Queensland detention sites called watchhouses, site visits, discussions with site managers and staff, two community consultation meetings, and a public hearing. Results revealed that police conduct strip searches, particularly in watchhouses, mainly to reduce to a minimum the risk posed by some people in what is generally a volatile and threatening context. However, few strip searches conducted by the Queensland Police Service result in a complaint to the Criminal Justice Commission. Most persons strip searched at watchhouses were males 20- to 29-years-old who had been arrested and subsequently charged with assault or a drug or alcohol-related offense. The police lack guidelines for strip searches, resulting in inconsistent practices. In addition, the requirement to record the reasons for conducting a strip search is unclear and appears to be followed inconsistently. Media reports of alleged inappropriate strip searches appear to reflect the exception rather than the rule. However, police sometimes disregard the legislative requirement to have a support person present during a strip search of a juvenile or a person with a relevant disability. Findings indicated the need for several changes to produce more consistent search practices and proper accountability. Recommendations; chapter reference notes; appended methodological information, figures, and tables; list of other publications from the same organization; and 25 references