Understanding the NSW Police Power During Lockdown

E) UNDERSTANDING THE NSW POLICE POWER DURING LOCKDOWN The coronavirus lockdown order raised concerns regarding the misuse or abuse of police power in Australia. Contrary to the common misconception, the police do not have more authority during the lockdown. Although the pandemic and the lockdown has changed a lot of things, the police power remains the same in New South Wales. FAQS ABOUT POLICE POWER DURING THE PANDEMIC Here are some of the most common questions regarding police power during the pandemic: ARE THE POLICE ALLOWED TO STOP YOU FOR INTERROGATION? Before the pandemic, the NSW Police did not have the authority to stop a person for questioning or interrogation-- this has not changed. They may ask you some questions, but you have the rights to refuse to STOP answer. CAN THE POLICE ACCUE YOU OF VIOLATING LOCKDOWN REGULATIONS BASED ON SUSPICION? No, suspicion or a hunch is not an acceptable reason to accuse anyone of violating the lockdown rules. WHAT QUESTIONS FROM THE POLICE DO YOU NEED TO ANSWER? You only have to answer two questions from the police: your name and address. You may refuse to answer any other questions that are not related to your name and address. DO YOU STILL HAVE RIGHT TO SILENCE DURING THE CORONAVIRUS LOCKDOWN? Yes, no one has the authority to deprive you of your rights to silence. You have no obligation to provide any information apart from your name and address. IS YOUR SILENCE AN ACCEPTABLE REASON TO DETAIN YOU? No, the police cannot use your silence against you. IS IT NECESSARY FOR YOU TO PROVE IN COURT THAT YOU HAVE A LEGITIMATE REASON FOR LEAVING HOME? No, you do not need to prove your intentions for leaving the house to the court. The police are in charge of establishing that an individual is violating the coronavirus lockdown order. CAN YOU BE ARRESTED FOR VIOLATING THE CORONAVIRUS LOCKDOWN ORDER? Yes, however, the arrest should be made under reasonable suspicion-- this means that there should be more than just a possibility of committing an offence. NOTE: Remember to be decent and polite when dealing with a police encounter. Handling the situation rudely can get you in more trouble than calmly talking with the officer. The police are there to ensure the safety of the country's citizens. If you know that you are not doing anything wrong, then there is no reason to be afraid of the authorities. However, you should also know when your rights are being stepped on especially during this coronavirus lockdown. •.......* E) UNDERSTANDING THE NSW POLICE POWER DURING LOCKDOWN The coronavirus lockdown order raised concerns regarding the misuse or abuse of police power in Australia. Contrary to the common misconception, the police do not have more authority during the lockdown. Although the pandemic and the lockdown has changed a lot of things, the police power remains the same in New South Wales. FAQS ABOUT POLICE POWER DURING THE PANDEMIC Here are some of the most common questions regarding police power during the pandemic: ARE THE POLICE ALLOWED TO STOP YOU FOR INTERROGATION? Before the pandemic, the NSW Police did not have the authority to stop a person for questioning or interrogation-- this has not changed. They may ask you some questions, but you have the rights to refuse to STOP answer. CAN THE POLICE ACCUE YOU OF VIOLATING LOCKDOWN REGULATIONS BASED ON SUSPICION? No, suspicion or a hunch is not an acceptable reason to accuse anyone of violating the lockdown rules. WHAT QUESTIONS FROM THE POLICE DO YOU NEED TO ANSWER? You only have to answer two questions from the police: your name and address. You may refuse to answer any other questions that are not related to your name and address. DO YOU STILL HAVE RIGHT TO SILENCE DURING THE CORONAVIRUS LOCKDOWN? Yes, no one has the authority to deprive you of your rights to silence. You have no obligation to provide any information apart from your name and address. IS YOUR SILENCE AN ACCEPTABLE REASON TO DETAIN YOU? No, the police cannot use your silence against you. IS IT NECESSARY FOR YOU TO PROVE IN COURT THAT YOU HAVE A LEGITIMATE REASON FOR LEAVING HOME? No, you do not need to prove your intentions for leaving the house to the court. The police are in charge of establishing that an individual is violating the coronavirus lockdown order. CAN YOU BE ARRESTED FOR VIOLATING THE CORONAVIRUS LOCKDOWN ORDER? Yes, however, the arrest should be made under reasonable suspicion-- this means that there should be more than just a possibility of committing an offence. NOTE: Remember to be decent and polite when dealing with a police encounter. Handling the situation rudely can get you in more trouble than calmly talking with the officer. The police are there to ensure the safety of the country's citizens. If you know that you are not doing anything wrong, then there is no reason to be afraid of the authorities. However, you should also know when your rights are being stepped on especially during this coronavirus lockdown. •.......* E) UNDERSTANDING THE NSW POLICE POWER DURING LOCKDOWN The coronavirus lockdown order raised concerns regarding the misuse or abuse of police power in Australia. Contrary to the common misconception, the police do not have more authority during the lockdown. Although the pandemic and the lockdown has changed a lot of things, the police power remains the same in New South Wales. FAQS ABOUT POLICE POWER DURING THE PANDEMIC Here are some of the most common questions regarding police power during the pandemic: ARE THE POLICE ALLOWED TO STOP YOU FOR INTERROGATION? Before the pandemic, the NSW Police did not have the authority to stop a person for questioning or interrogation-- this has not changed. They may ask you some questions, but you have the rights to refuse to STOP answer. CAN THE POLICE ACCUE YOU OF VIOLATING LOCKDOWN REGULATIONS BASED ON SUSPICION? No, suspicion or a hunch is not an acceptable reason to accuse anyone of violating the lockdown rules. WHAT QUESTIONS FROM THE POLICE DO YOU NEED TO ANSWER? You only have to answer two questions from the police: your name and address. You may refuse to answer any other questions that are not related to your name and address. DO YOU STILL HAVE RIGHT TO SILENCE DURING THE CORONAVIRUS LOCKDOWN? Yes, no one has the authority to deprive you of your rights to silence. You have no obligation to provide any information apart from your name and address. IS YOUR SILENCE AN ACCEPTABLE REASON TO DETAIN YOU? No, the police cannot use your silence against you. IS IT NECESSARY FOR YOU TO PROVE IN COURT THAT YOU HAVE A LEGITIMATE REASON FOR LEAVING HOME? No, you do not need to prove your intentions for leaving the house to the court. The police are in charge of establishing that an individual is violating the coronavirus lockdown order. CAN YOU BE ARRESTED FOR VIOLATING THE CORONAVIRUS LOCKDOWN ORDER? Yes, however, the arrest should be made under reasonable suspicion-- this means that there should be more than just a possibility of committing an offence. NOTE: Remember to be decent and polite when dealing with a police encounter. Handling the situation rudely can get you in more trouble than calmly talking with the officer. The police are there to ensure the safety of the country's citizens. If you know that you are not doing anything wrong, then there is no reason to be afraid of the authorities. However, you should also know when your rights are being stepped on especially during this coronavirus lockdown. •.......*