Abstract
In 2022, the Palaszczuk Government extended a nation-leading trial to detect knives in Queensland’s ‘Safe Night Precincts’ (‘SNP’). During the ‘Gold Coast wanding trial’ (which ran from April 2021-23), 266 weapons were detected from a total of 22,765 ‘wandings’ (now referred to as ‘scannings’).
In 2023, the Police Powers and Responsibilities (Jack’s Law) Amendment Act was passed, which, among other things, permits Queensland police officers to stop and submit a person to the use of a hand-held scanner (a ‘wand’) in SNPs and public transport stations without a warrant. Notably, a police officer can scan a person who is in the SNP (or transport hub) without “reasonable suspicion” or “reasonable belief” of a prescribed circumstance. That is, there is no requirement for the officer to reasonably suspect that the person possesses a weapon.
This presentation explores the new legislation to combat the possession of weapons in Queensland, including the hazards of a growth in warrantless police powers that do not require any suspicion. It will also showcase the results of the scheme and posit both future trends and changes to legislation, society, and policing, concerning the possession of weapons in Queensland.
In 2023, the Police Powers and Responsibilities (Jack’s Law) Amendment Act was passed, which, among other things, permits Queensland police officers to stop and submit a person to the use of a hand-held scanner (a ‘wand’) in SNPs and public transport stations without a warrant. Notably, a police officer can scan a person who is in the SNP (or transport hub) without “reasonable suspicion” or “reasonable belief” of a prescribed circumstance. That is, there is no requirement for the officer to reasonably suspect that the person possesses a weapon.
This presentation explores the new legislation to combat the possession of weapons in Queensland, including the hazards of a growth in warrantless police powers that do not require any suspicion. It will also showcase the results of the scheme and posit both future trends and changes to legislation, society, and policing, concerning the possession of weapons in Queensland.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 1-1 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 6 Dec 2023 |
| Event | The 2023 Australian and New Zealand Society of Criminology Conference : "Contesting Boundaries & Meeting Future Challenges" - The State Library of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia Duration: 6 Dec 2023 → 8 Dec 2023 https://dg.eventsair.com/anzsoc-2023-conference/ |
Conference
| Conference | The 2023 Australian and New Zealand Society of Criminology Conference |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | 2023 ANZSOC Conference |
| Country/Territory | Australia |
| City | Melbourne |
| Period | 6/12/23 → 8/12/23 |
| Internet address |
