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anyuser
03-12-2009, 07:52 AM
Age (Australia): Police to have power to strip-search at random

The Age reports that (http://www.theage.com.au/national/police-to-have-power-to-stripsearch-at-random-20091128-jy0e.html) police in Australia will soon have the power to strip-search people at random.

Police will soon have sweeping powers to search people at random, including strip-search, even if there is no reasonable suspicion those targeted have done anything wrong.

The ‘’stop and search” tactic is part of a law and order crackdown set to be passed by State Parliament, despite the Government conceding that the legislation breaches the Victorian Human Rights Charter.

Legal experts have labelled the proposed laws, which will enable officers to strip-search children and the disabled, as draconian and a knee-jerk reaction to the problem of drunken violence. [...]

Police Minister Bob Cameron says the wide-ranging legislation was necessary to maintain social standards, and the search powers were aimed at preventing an explosion in knife-related violence. [...]

But Mr Cameron’s claims have been rejected by senior lawyers who believe the ‘’stop and search” powers will be misused and are likely to target minorities such as the homeless, Aborigines, the mentally ill and the young.

Some Proposed New Powers
– Police can search anyone in a ”designated area” even if officers do not have reasonable suspicion of wrongdoing
– Designated areas can be: (1) Where there has been violence involving a weapon in the past year, (2) where police suspect there may be trouble, or (3) any major event precinct.
– There are no limits on the size of a designated area, although it can only last 12 hours.
– Officers can demand somebody ”move on” if they believe they may be going to commit a breach of the peace.
Source: The Age

http://www.privacylives.com/age-australia-police-to-have-power-to-strip-search-at-random/2009/12/02/

Legal experts have labelled the proposed laws, which will enable officers to strip-search children and the disabled, as draconian and a knee-jerk reaction to the problem of drunken violence. [...] & others

Yes this is terrible. If I had a kid and he/she told me that someone (cop) walking home from school took my kid somewhere and strip searched him/her and others, I don't think you would ever hear the end of it. peds in the police force... I don't think it would stop there as their other sick minded people would just dress as 50's and get 2 our kids that way too.

djhooker
03-12-2009, 09:11 AM
if this doesn't cause civil unrest, then there's something seriously wrong.

what the fuck is up with the aussie government?

anxu
03-12-2009, 10:05 AM
Does "strip search" really mean to strip all the clothing from the person to be completely nude? :eek:

Does the new authority for police include stripping the person down in front of other people? say for instance in front of people inside a shopping center? :eek:

Anyone that has this done to them should send a BILL to the police demanding payment for the strip tease.

Maybe the police or police integrity commission should set up a website so that people that have this done to them can report it and give details such as age, etc. Then they can build up statistics for each police officer, and if they find a police officer has done this to many children then that officer can be discharged. Also it would be useful for civilians to be able to see a Map showing the strip searches statistics by areas etc so that they can go "oh my god, that area has a high strip search count/frequency and perhaps I should take a different route to my work".

Another issue is does the police officer doing the strip search have a hidden camera in their clothes? Because if they do then there is potential for innocent people to be strip searched and for the images to somehow get out on to the internet or other media.

They are potentially opening themselves up to claims of sexual assault. If the police will not prosecute one of their own members, then the person could go to the court and put in a private prosecution against that police officer!

I don't think the law is bad as such, it is just that corruption and bad people can abuse their power and take advantage of the laws.

If i was strip searched, I would actually want to strip myself in front of a very large audience with many witnesses so as to make sure the police don't plant stuff in my clothes, however you can bet that pulling your own clothes off in public would result in the police charging you for indecent exposure, etc. Damned if do and Damned if don't. :(

Maybe they could add a scene to a comedy show, where a women is wearing transparent plastic clothes and bag and a police officer walks up and asks to perform a strip search (even though he can clearly see that she isn't carrying a knife). OR perhaps the women has a tattoo that looks like clothes and when she CAN'T take the "tattoo" off he they charges her for refusing to do it.

Maybe next they can inspect your clothes once you have removed them. And they can check how long the clothes haven't been washed. If the clothes haven't been washed for a month, then they fine you for indecency, for pollution of the air (from your bad smell) and other crap. :D

aussieaussie
03-12-2009, 11:18 AM
do you get a free lapdance as well?

Ian2day
03-12-2009, 11:21 AM
Dont forget the Nazi salute and to say sieg hail if requested for zee papers...