Police Regulation Act 1898

Loading..

Tasmanian Crest
Loading..
Police Regulation Act 1898

An Act to make better provision for the appointment and regulation of the Police Force

[Royal Assent 29 October 1898]

Be it enacted by His Excellency the Governor of Tasmania, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council and House of Assembly, in Parliament assembled, as follows:

PART I - Preliminary

1.   Short title

This Act may be cited as the Police Regulation Act 1898 .

2.   Commencement

This Act shall come into operation on 1st January 1899.

3.   

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

4.   

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

5.   Interpretation

In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears –
Association means the Police Association of Tasmania;
Board means the Police Promotions Appeal Board established under Part IVA ;
cadet means any person employed under section 28A ;
chairperson means the chairperson of the Board;
Commissioner means the Commissioner of Police;
departmental employee means a person appointed or employed pursuant to section 28C ;
disciplinary offence means a breach of any regulation made under section 29 (d) ;
district means any part of the State or any part of the Tasmanian Police Force proclaimed to be a district under section 6 ;
police officer means any person employed in the police force;
technical officer means a person appointed or employed as a technical officer pursuant to section 28C ;
the police force means all officers of police, sergeants of police, constables, and junior constables appointed under the authority of this Act.

6.   Districts

The Governor, by proclamation, may –
(a) declare any part of Tasmania or any part of the Tasmanian Police Force to be a district for the purposes of this Act; and
(b) name that district; and
(c) declare a headquarters station for that district.
PART IA - Appointments
Division 1 - Police officers

7.   

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

8.   Commissioner of Police

The Governor may appoint a Commissioner of Police, who shall, under the direction of the Minister, and subject to the provisions of this Act, have the control and superintendence of the police force.

9.   Deputy-Commissioner

(1)  The Governor may appoint a person to be Deputy-Commissioner, and the person so appointed shall assist the Commissioner in the control and superintendence of the police force and shall act as Commissioner during any illness, suspension, or absence of the Commissioner, and during any vacancy in the office of Commissioner, and while so acting shall have the powers and perform the duties of the Commissioner.
(2)  Applications shall be called for every such appointment.

9A.   Assistant Commissioners

(1)  The Governor may appoint 3 persons to be Assistant Commissioners and the persons so appointed shall assist the Commissioner in the control and superintendence of the police force and any of the Assistant Commissioners may be appointed to act as Deputy-Commissioner during any illness, suspension, or absence of the Deputy-Commissioner, and while so acting, shall have the powers and perform the duties of the Deputy-Commissioner.
(2)  Applications shall be called for every appointment other than an appointment to act as Deputy-Commissioner referred to in subsection (1) .

9B.   Retirement of Commissioner, &c.

The Commissioner, Deputy-Commissioner, and Assistant Commissioners respectively shall each retire from office on attaining the age of 65 years.

9C.   Appointment not subject to appeal

An appointment made by the Governor pursuant to section 8 , 9 , or 9A is not subject to appeal under this Act.

10.   Officers of police

(1)  The Governor may appoint such superintendents, inspectors, and other officers of police as he may think necessary.
(2)  Subject to the regulations, an officer of police appointed under this section –
(a) shall be subject to the control of the Commissioner; and
(b) shall be charged with the government and superintendence of such portion of the police force as the Commissioner directs, and may, if the Commissioner so determines, be assigned to a district.

11.   Power to suspend, &c.

The Governor may at any time suspend, reduce, discharge, or dismiss any Commissioner, or any superintendent, inspector, or other officer of police appointed by him under this Act.

11A.   

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

12.   Appointment, dismissal, &c., of sergeants and constables

(1)  The Commissioner may –
(a) appoint such sergeants of police, constables, and junior constables, of different grades, as the Commissioner may think fit;
(b) if the Commissioner so determines, assign a sergeant of police, constable, or junior constable to a district; and
(c) suspend, reduce, or dismiss any sergeant of police, constable, or junior constable.
(2)  The Governor may disallow any appointment made under the authority of this section.

13.   Salaries, &c., of police officers

The salaries, wages, allowances, and other emoluments to be paid to the several ranks in the police force and to special constables shall be such as the Commissioner may, with the approval of the Governor, determine.

14.   Regulation of number of persons, &c., that may be employed in an Agency

(1)  The Governor, on the recommendation of the Minister, may, from time to time, by order, notwithstanding any other law of Tasmania, determine on such terms and conditions as may be specified in the order, the employment level for, or the number of persons that may be employed in, the police force, being such level or number as he determines to be appropriate for the efficient, effective, and economical performance of the functions and activities of the police force.
(2)  Before making a recommendation under subsection (1) , the Minister shall consult –
(a) the Minister administering the State Service Act 2000 ; and
(b) the Treasurer.
(3)  The Governor may, on the recommendation of the Minister, from time to time by order vary or revoke a determination made under subsection (1) .
(4)  Before making a recommendation to vary or revoke a determination under subsection (3) , the Minister shall consult –
(a) the Minister administering the State Service Act 2000 ; and
(b) the Treasurer.
(5)  Where an order is made under subsection (1) or (3) , the Minister shall forward a copy of the order to –
(a) the Minister administering the State Service Act 2000 ;
(b) the Treasurer; and
(c) the Commissioner.
(6)  Where an order made under subsection (1) or (3) is forwarded to the Commissioner pursuant to subsection (5) , he shall ensure that no appointment is made in contravention of the determination specified in that order.

15.   Authority of police officers

Every police officer appointed under the authority of this Act shall have such powers and privileges and be liable to all such duties as any constable duly appointed now has or hereafter may have either by the common law or by virtue of any Act.

16.   Oath to be taken by police officers

(1)  Any person appointed to be a police officer shall not be capable of acting in any way as such officer until he shall have taken and subscribed the oath set forth in Form 1 in Schedule 2 .
(2)  The said oath shall be administered by a justice, and shall in all cases be subscribed by the person taking the same; and the oaths so taken and subscribed by all persons appointed to any office under this Act shall be forwarded by the justice before whom the same were taken to the Commissioner.

17.   Oath taken under Act hereby repealed deemed to have been taken under this Act

Every officer of police and every constable who is in office on the date preceding the date when this Act comes into operation, and who shall have taken the oath required by any Act hereby repealed to be taken by officers of police and constables appointed thereunder, shall be deemed to have taken and subscribed under the provisions of this Act the oath set forth in Form 1 in Schedule 2 .

18.   Oath equivalent to agreement

Every person who has taken and subscribed such oath shall, from the day on which such oath shall have been taken and subscribed, be taken to have thereby entered into a written agreement with, and shall be thereby bound to serve, the Crown as a police officer in whatsoever capacity he may be at any time thereafter required to serve, and at the current rate of pay of any rank to which he may be appointed or reduced, until legally discharged; and such agreement shall not be set aside, cancelled or annulled for want of reciprocity, but every agreement shall be determined by the discharge, dismissal, or other removal from office of any such person, or by the acceptance of the resignation of such person by the Governor or the Commissioner, as the case may be.

19.   One month's notice of resignation to be given by police officers

No police officer shall be at liberty to resign his office or withdraw himself from the duties thereof, notwithstanding the period of his engagement shall have expired, unless expressly authorized in writing so to do by the Commissioner, or unless he shall give to the Commissioner one month's notice in writing of his intention so to resign or withdraw.

20.   Repute to be evidence of appointment

If any question shall arise as to the right of the Commissioner or any police officer to hold or exercise the duties of his office, common reputation shall be deemed prima facie evidence of such right, and it shall not be necessary to have or produce any written appointment or other document or matter whatsoever in proof of such right.

21.   All powers vested in police officers to cease upon discharge

When any police officer shall be discharged or dismissed from or shall otherwise cease to hold and exercise his office, all powers and authorities vested in him as a police officer shall immediately cease.

22.   Special constables

(1)  If it appears to the Commissioner, or to any officer of police of or above the rank of inspector, that –
(a) any tumult, riot, serious crime, or breach of the peace has taken place, or may reasonably be likely to take place within any district; or
(b) the ordinary police force is not sufficient for the preservation of the public peace within, and for the protection of the inhabitants of, and the security of property within, any district –
the Commissioner or the officer of police, as the case may be, may, by precept in writing under his hand, appoint so many as he thinks fit of the persons residing within that district who are not legally exempt from serving the office of special constable to act as special constables in and for that district for such time and in such manner as he thinks necessary.
(2)  In addition to appointing persons to act as special constables pursuant to subsection (1) the Commissioner or officer of police, as the case may be, may also appoint such other persons as may be willing to serve to act as special constables in and for the relevant district, notwithstanding that they may be legally exempt from serving or may not be residing within the district.
(3)  Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2) , the Commissioner may, with the approval of the Minister, appoint to act as a special constable for the whole of the State and for the time and purposes authorized by the Commissioner –
(a) a member of the police force of the Commonwealth or of a police force of a State or Territory;
(b) a person appointed or employed under an Act or other law of the Commonwealth or of Tasmania for the purpose of administering or enforcing any such Act or other law, while that person is actually engaged in performing his functions under any such Act or other law; or
(c) a person who, in the opinion of the Commissioner with regard to the functions of that person, ought to be so appointed.

23.   Oath taken by special constables

Every person appointed a special constable under this Act shall, before acting as such, take an oath before a justice according to Form 1 in Schedule 2 , in the case of a special constable appointed under section 22 (3) , or Form 2 in that Schedule in any other case.

24.   Penalty on special constable refusing to take the oath of office

If any person residing within any such district is appointed a special constable, who is not legally exempt from serving the office of constable, and neglects or refuses without sufficient cause or excuse to appear at the time and place for which he is summoned by the Commissioner or superintendent for the purpose of taking the said oath, or refuses to take the said oath when thereunto lawfully required by the Commissioner or superintendent, he shall be liable to a fine not exceeding 0·1 penalty unit.

25.   Penalty on special constable refusing to serve or guilty of disobedience of orders

If any person being appointed and sworn a special constable as aforesaid, and being called upon to serve, neglects or refuses to act as such special constable, or to obey such lawful orders and directions as may be given to him for the performance of the duties of his office, he shall be liable to a fine not exceeding 0·1 penalty unit, unless he shows to the satisfaction of the justices adjudicating that he was prevented by sickness or such other unavoidable accident as in their judgment is a sufficient excuse.

26.   Powers of special constables

Every special constable appointed under this Act shall, within the district, if any, in and for which he is appointed or, in the case of a special constable appointed under section 22 (3) , shall, throughout the State have and exercise all such powers, authorities, and privileges, and be liable to all such duties and responsibilities, as any other constable duly appointed now has or hereafter may have in this State.

27.   Special constables to be paid for their services

Every special constable appointed as aforesaid by the Commissioner or an officer of police shall receive for his services such salary, wages, and allowances as the Minister directs.

28.   Exemption from serving as special constable

The like persons shall be deemed to be legally exempted from serving the office of special constable as are legally exempted from serving upon a jury in Tasmania.
Division 2 - Cadets, technical officers, and departmental employees

28A.   Appointment and dismissal of cadets

The Commissioner may –
(a) appoint such cadets as he thinks fit; and
(b) suspend or dismiss any cadet.

28B.   Transitory provision

Where a junior constable is appointed as a cadet, having been in continuous employment as a junior constable immediately prior to such appointment as a cadet –
(a) his appointment as a junior constable is by force of this section revoked; and
(b) his appointment as a cadet is deemed to have been effected on the day he was appointed a junior constable.

28C.   Appointment of employees

(1)  Subject to and in accordance with the State Service Act 2000 , technical officers and persons, other than police officers, may be appointed or employed for the purposes of this Act.
(2)  Persons appointed pursuant to subsection (1) shall not be permitted to perform any duty under this Act (except the rendering of aid or assistance under section 37 ) other than a duty associated with or ancillary to the duty he is appointed to carry out.

28D.   Notice of intention to resign or withdraw

Except with the written consent of the Commissioner, no cadet shall resign from his office or withdraw from the duties thereof unless he gives to the Commissioner one month's notice in writing of his intention to do so.
PART II - Duties and discipline

29.   Regulations

The Governor may make regulations for the government of the police force with respect to all matters necessary for carrying into effect the several objects of this Act and, in particular and without limiting the generality of this section, may make regulations for or in relation to –
(a) making the members of the police force efficient for the discharge of their respective duties;
(b) prescribing their duties in enforcing obedience to law;
(c) .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  
(d) prescribing disciplinary offences being offences of, or of the nature of –
(i) insubordination;
(ii) misconduct;
(iii) neglect of duty; or
(iv) violation of duty –
in the office of a member of the police force or of a cadet; and
(e) prescribing fines, not exceeding 0·4 penalty unit, for the breach of any regulation made under this section.

29A.   Commissioner to review reports of disciplinary offences: Notice to be given

(1)  The Commissioner shall review every report and any other document bearing on the matter of a report from which it appears a police officer or cadet has committed or is committing a disciplinary offence.
(2)  Where the Commissioner, acting under subsection (1) , believes on reasonable grounds that a police officer or cadet has committed or is committing a disciplinary offence, he shall cause a notice to be served on that person specifying the offence that he believes has been or is being committed and informing that person that he may –
(a) admit in writing the commission of the offence so specified or of any other disciplinary offence;
(b) deny in writing the commission of the offence so specified; or
(c) elect to have that offence determined on complaint before a magistrate –
and that, if he admits under this section the commission of a disciplinary offence, or (in the case of a denial under this section) if the Commissioner after due inquiry is satisfied that the person has committed a disciplinary offence, the Commissioner may impose on him, in respect thereof, a penalty under Part III .

29B.   Police officer, &c., may admit offence or elect trial by magistrate

Within 14 days of the service on him of a notice under section 29A , a police officer or cadet shall submit a written submission in accordance with paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of that section, or a written denial in accordance with paragraph (b) of that subsection, or make an election in accordance with paragraph (c) of that subsection.

29C.   Police officer, &c., admitting disciplinary offence entitled to be heard

Where a police officer or cadet makes an admission under section 29A (2) (a) , he may for the purpose of making an explanation or in relation to any penalty that may be imposed by the Commissioner –
(a) tender a written submission; or
(b) request to be paraded before the Commissioner.

29D.   When disciplinary offence to be determined on complaint before a magistrate

Where a police officer or cadet on whom a notice under section 29A is served –
(a) elects, within the period specified in section 29B , to have the offence specified in the notice determined on complaint before a magistrate; or
(b) has, at the expiration of the period specified in section 29B , failed or refused to make an admission or a denial or such an election as provided by that section –
the offence shall be determined on complaint before a magistrate in accordance with the Justices Act 1959 .
PART III - Penalties

30.   Penalty for resigning without notice

If any police office or cadet shall resign his office or withdraw himself from the duties thereof without the previous permission or notice required by this Act, he shall be liable to a fine not exceeding 0·2 penalty unit.

31.   Penalty for misconduct

(1)  Any police officer who is guilty of any insubordination, misconduct, neglect, or violation of duty in his office as such police officer, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding 0·4 penalty unit.
(2)  In any case in which a police officer or cadet who, having been served with a notice under section 29A , admits in writing, within the period prescribed in section 29B , the commission of a disciplinary offence or, within that period, denies the commission of such an offence but the Commissioner, after due inquiry, is satisfied that that person has committed a disciplinary offence, the Commissioner may impose a fine not exceeding the fine prescribed in relation to that offence.
(3)  A penalty imposed by the Commissioner under subsection (2) may, if not paid within the time, if any, allowed by the Commissioner in that behalf, be withheld from any salary due or to become due to the police officer or cadet, as the case may be.

31A.   Offence by a police officer under another Act punishable under this Act; offence punishable under this Act so punishable even though officer acting under another Act

(1)  An offence committed by a police officer when performing a duty or discharging the functions of an office or place imposed or conferred upon him by or under any Act other than this Act shall be deemed to be an offence for the purposes of this Part, notwithstanding that the officer has not been charged in any court with, or convicted by any court of, that offence and the officer is liable, in respect of that offence, to punishment under this Part accordingly.
(2)  When a police officer is performing a duty imposed on him by or under any Act other than this Act or is appointed to an office or place by or under any Act other than this Act, the offences prescribed for the purposes of this Act shall apply in respect of the discharge of his function by the officer acting under that other Act in all respects as if he were acting in his office as a police officer under this Act.

32.   Penalty for taking bribe, &c.

Any police officer or cadet who shall take any bribe, pecuniary or otherwise, either directly or indirectly, to forego his duty, or who shall in any manner aid or connive at the escape or attempt to escape of any prisoner in lawful custody, or who shall desert his post, or assault his superior in rank in the police force, or shall neglect or refuse to obey or execute any process directed to be by him executed, shall on the complaint of any police officer be liable to a fine not exceeding 0·5 penalty unit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months.

33.   Penalty for not delivering accoutrements

If any person who, having been a police officer has been discharged or dismissed from, or who has otherwise ceased to hold and execute his office, shall not forthwith deliver over everything whatsoever which may have been supplied to him for the execution of his office, or which may be in his custody by virtue thereof, to such person as may be appointed by any order, special or general, issued by the Commissioner, he shall, on the complaint of any officer, be liable to be imprisoned for 3 months; and any justice shall issue his warrant to search for and seize to the use of the Crown all and every the arms, ammunition, accoutrements, horses, saddles, bridles, clothing, and other appointments and things whatsoever which shall not be so delivered over wherever the same shall be found.

34.   Penalty for personating police officer

If any person, not being a police officer, shall have in his possession any arms or ammunition, or any article of clothing, accoutrements, or appointments supplied to any police officer, and shall not be able satisfactorily to account for his possession thereof, or shall put on or assume the dress, name, designation, or description of a police officer, with the intention that it should be believed, or the knowledge that it is likely that it will be believed that he is a police officer, he shall, in addition to any other punishment for which he may be liable for such offence, on the complaint of any police officer be liable to a fine not exceeding 1 penalty unit.

34A.   Penalty for use of chequered cap band

Without affecting the generality of section 34 , a person, not being a police officer, who wears, or directs or requires another person to wear, any head dress incorporating a chequered cap band the same as or similar to that required by the Commissioner to be worn by a police officer is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding 1 penalty unit.

35.   Penalty for bribing police officer

If any person gives, or offers or promises to give, any bribe, recompense, or reward to, or makes any collusive agreement with, any police officer to induce him in any way to neglect his duty, or to conceal or connive at any act whereby any law or any regulation may be infringed or evaded, he shall, whether such recompense or bribe, reward, or offer, promise, or agreement is accepted or performed or not, be liable to a fine not exceeding 1 penalty unit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months.

36.   Penalties on persons assaulting police officer

Every person who assaults or resists, or who aids or incites any person to assault or resist, any police officer in the execution of his duty, or any person at the time lawfully acting in aid of such officer, shall in addition to any other penalty be liable to pay the amount of any damage caused by such assault or resistance to the clothes, apparel, or accoutrements of such officer or any person lawfully aiding such officer as aforesaid, and in default of payment of the amount of any such damage, to be imprisoned for 2 months.

37.   Penalty for not assisting police officer

Any police officer when in the lawful execution of his duty, may call upon any male bystander, not being under the age of 18 years, to aid or assist him to secure or convey any prisoner in his charge to a watch-house or other place when reasonable necessity exists for calling for such assistance; and any such person refusing to aid or assist such police officer when so called upon shall be liable to a fine not exceeding 0·1 penalty unit.

38.   Prosecution of offenders under other Acts

Nothing contained in this Act shall be construed to prevent any person from being prosecuted under any other Act for any offence made punishable by this Act, or from being liable under any other Act to any other or higher penalty or punishment than is provided for such offence by this Act.
PART IV - Superannuation Fund

39.   

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

40.   

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

41.   

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

42.   

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

43.   

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

44.   

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

45.   

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

46.   

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

47.   

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

48.   

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

49.   

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  
PART IVA - Police Promotions Appeal Board

49A.   Police Promotions Appeal Board

(1)  The Police Promotions Appeal Board is established.
(2)  The Board consists of 3 members appointed by the Minister of whom –
(a) one is the chairperson; and
(b) one is a police officer selected from a list of 3 police officers nominated by the Association; and
(c) one is a person with the appropriate skills and experience.
(3)  The Minister may appoint a suitable person without a nomination if a nomination is not made under subsection (2) (b) within 30 days after the Minister requires.
(4)  Schedule 3 has effect in respect of membership of the Board.
(5)  Schedule 4 has effect in respect of meetings of the Board.

49B.   Member not to hear appeal

(1)  A member of the Board must not hear an appeal if the Minister is of the opinion that for the member to do so may prejudice the hearing on the basis of a conflict of interest, bias or similar basis.
(2)  A member prevented from hearing an appeal is taken to be temporarily absent.

49C.   Deputy members

(1)  The Minister may appoint a suitable person to be the deputy of a member of the Board in that member's temporary absence.
(2)  A deputy member may act as a member of the Board and while so acting has the same powers and functions as the member for whom he or she is the deputy.
(3)  In any proceedings, proof is not required of –
(a) the circumstances in which a person is appointed as a deputy member; or
(b) the appointment of a deputy member.

49D.   General functions and powers of Board

(1)  The Board is to hear and determine appeals under this Part.
(2)  The Board has power to do all things necessary or convenient to perform its functions.

49E.   Secretarial and administrative support

The Secretary of the responsible Department in relation to the Justices Act 1959 is to provide to the Board secretarial and administrative assistance in relation to the hearing and determination of an appeal under this Part.

49F.   Notice of intention to appoint

(1)  If the Governor or Commissioner intends to appoint a police officer to a position of a prescribed rank, a notice of that intention is to be published in the Police Gazette.
(2)  A notice of intention is to be published by –
(a) the Minister, if an intended appointment is to a rank referred to in section 10 ; or
(b) the Commissioner, in any other case.

49G.   Lodging of appeals

(1)  A police officer who applies for a position of a prescribed rank may appeal to the Board against the intended appointment of another police officer to that position if the appointment would be a promotion for that other officer.
(2)  A notice of appeal is to be –
(a) in writing; and
(b) lodged with the Board within 14 days of the publication of a notice under section 49F (1) .
(3)  The Board may require any document or record in support of the appeal to be lodged.
(4)  Any document or record must be lodged with the Board within 7 days of lodging the notice of appeal.
(5)  An appeal lapses if any document or record is not lodged within 7 days of lodging the notice of appeal.
(6)  The Board is to notify the Minister or Commissioner if an appeal is not lodged or lapses.

49H.   Grounds of appeal

(1)  An appeal in relation to an appointment to a position of a prescribed rank may be made on either or both of the following grounds:
(a) that the appellant believes he or she is more entitled to appointment to the position than the person intended to be appointed on the basis of superior merit and good conduct;
(b) that there has been an irregularity in the selection process.
(2)  For the purposes of an appeal, merit is the capacity of a person to perform the work associated with a particular position having regard to –
(a) the knowledge, skills, qualifications and experience of the person; and
(b) the person's potential for future development in that rank and position.

49I.   Case for appeal

(1)  On receiving a notice of appeal, the Board is to examine the notice and any associated documents or records to determine whether or not a case for the appeal may exist.
(2)  The Board may dismiss the appeal if satisfied that a case for the appeal does not exist.

49J.   Hearing of appeals

(1)  The Board is to hear and determine an appeal in accordance with this Part.
(2)  The hearing of an appeal by the Board is to be conducted with as little formality and technicality, and with as much expedition, as this Part and a proper consideration of the matter permit.
(3)  The rules of evidence do not apply to a hearing by the Board and the Board may be informed on any matter in any way it considers appropriate.
(4)  The Board must observe the rules of natural justice.
(5)  Subject to this Part, the Board may regulate its own proceedings.

49K.   Attendance at appeal

On the hearing of an appeal under this Part, the Commissioner is to make available to the Board any one or all of the following persons:
(a) the chairperson of the selection panel or, subject to the approval of the Board, a member of the selection panel;
(b) the person it is intended to appoint to the position;
(c) the appellant;
(d) any witnesses summoned by the Board.

49L.   Board may summon witnesses

(1)  A party to an appeal may request the Board to summon a person to attend the proceedings as a witness.
(2)  The Board may summon a person to be a witness or to produce any document or record relevant to the proceedings by serving on the person a notice in writing requiring that person to attend the proceedings to –
(a) give evidence; or
(b) produce the documents or records.
(3)  The notice is to specify the following:
(a) the name of the person on whom it is served;
(b) the time and place at which the person is required to attend;
(c) any document or record the Board requires to be produced at the proceedings;
(d) any other matter the Board determines.
(4)  A person summoned by the Board to attend the proceedings must not –
(a) fail to attend the proceedings; or
(b) refuse to be sworn; or
(c) refuse to answer any question put by the Board; or
(d) fail to produce any document or record specified in the notice.
Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 5 penalty units.

49M.   Remuneration of witnesses

(1)  A witness who is not a member of the police force and is summoned to attend proceedings before the Board on the hearing of an appeal is entitled to be paid an allowance for travelling expenses and maintenance during any absence from his or her usual place of residence in accordance with the scale of allowances to witnesses specified in –
(a) Appendix M to Part I of the Rules of the Supreme Court 1965 ; or
(b) Part II of the appendix to the Rules of Court made under the Criminal Code Act 1924 .
(2)  The appellant and any other member of the police force summoned to attend proceedings before the Board on the hearing of an appeal are entitled to be paid travelling expenses and maintenance during any absence from his or her usual place of work at the rates prescribed in the Police Award.

49N.   Determination of appeals

(1)  In determining an appeal under this Part, the Board may –
(a) dismiss the appeal; or
(b) in respect of an appeal under section 49H (1) (a) , uphold the appeal and direct that the appellant be appointed to the position and, if applicable, the prescribed rank; or
(c) in respect of an appeal under section 49H (1) (b) , uphold the appeal and direct that the Commissioner take any action, other than appointment of the appellant, the Board considers necessary.
(2)  The decision of the Board is final.
(3)  The Board is to notify its decision in writing to –
(a) every party to the appeal; and
(b) the Minister or the Commissioner.

49O.   Date of appointment after appeal

If the Board upholds an appeal under section 49N , the appointment of the appellant to the position and, if applicable, the prescribed rank takes effect on the date of the notification of the Board's decision.

49P.   Making of appointment

(1)  The Governor or the Commissioner may make the intended appointment if –
(a) all appeals under this Part in respect of the intended appointment are dismissed; or
(b) an appeal is not made within the period specified in section 49G (2) (b) .
(2)  An appointment takes effect on the fifteenth day after the date of publication of a notice under section 49F (2) .

49Q.   

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

49R.   

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

49RA.   

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

49S.   

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  
PART IVB - Police Disciplinary Board

50.   Interpretation

In this Part, unless the contrary intention appears –
Association means the Police Association;
Board means the Police Disciplinary Board constituted under this Part;
secretary means secretary of the Board.

50A.   The Police Disciplinary Board

(1)  For the purposes of this Act, there shall be a Board, to be known as the Police Disciplinary Board, constituted as provided by this section.
(2)  Subject to subsection (10) , the Board shall consist of 3 persons appointed by the Governor, of whom –
(a) one shall be a magistrate who shall be the chairman of the Board;
(b) one shall be a person, not being a police officer, nominated by the Minister; and
(c) one shall be a person selected by the Minister from a list of 3 persons submitted to the Minister by the governing body of the Association.
(3)  If the Association fails, within 30 days after being requested by the Minister so to do, to nominate a person for appointment as a member of the Board, the Governor may, without a nomination, appoint a police officer to represent the Association, as the case may be, as a member of the Board.
(4)  Each of the members of the Board shall, subject to this Part, hold office for a term of 3 years from the date of his appointment.
(5)  A member of the Board may be paid such fees, and such out-of-pocket expenses and travelling allowances, as the Governor may determine, but no remuneration shall be paid pursuant to this subsection to a member of the Board who is a State Service employee except with the approval of the Head of the State Service Agency in which the employee is employed.
(6)  The chairman and one other member constitute a quorum of the Board, and the Board may function, notwithstanding a vacancy in its membership, so long as a quorum remains.
(7)  The chairman of the Board may exercise a deliberative vote only.
(8)  If, at a meeting of the Board at which only 2 members are present, the votes of those members on any question are equal, the determination of that question shall be postponed until a subsequent meeting at which all the members are present.
(9)  At any meeting of the Board, the decision of a majority of the members present thereat shall be deemed to be the decision of the Board.
(10)  There shall be a substitute member of the Board who shall be appointed by the Governor on the nomination of the Association.
(11)  For the purposes only of the hearing and determination of an appeal by a police officer who is a member of the Board, the substitute member of the Board shall sit and act as a member thereof in lieu of the member by whom the appeal is made.
(12)  All acts and proceedings of the Board while a substitute member is sitting or acting as a member thereof shall be deemed to be fully valid and effectual for all purposes.
(13)  Subject to this Part and to the regulations, the Board may regulate its own procedure.

50B.   Vacation of office

(1)  The office of a member of the Board becomes vacant –
(a) at the expiration of the term for which he is appointed; or
(b) if he –
(i) dies;
(ii) resigns his office by writing under his hand addressed to the Governor;
(iii) being the chairman, ceases to hold office as a magistrate;
(iv) .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  
(v) being the member appointed under section 50A (2) (c) , ceases to be a police officer or, if he is not a police officer at the time of his appointment, if he ceases to be the secretary of the Association; or
(vi) is removed from office by the Governor in accordance with subsection (2) .
(2)  The Governor may remove a member of the Board from office –
(a) for misbehaviour, negligence, or incompetence;
(b) if, in the opinion of the Governor, the member becomes incapable of performing his duties as a member; or
(c) if the member –
(i) becomes bankrupt, or applies to take or takes advantage of any law relating to bankrupt or insolvent debtors;
(ii) is convicted of a crime, within the meaning of the Criminal Code , and the Governor considers that, by reason of the nature of the crime, it is not proper that he should continue to hold office as a member of the Board; or
(iii) is absent, without leave of the Minister, from 3 or more consecutive meetings of the Board.

50C.   Secretary

(1)  The Secretary of the Department may appoint a State Service employee employed in the Department or a police officer to be secretary of the Board and that person is to hold that office in conjunction with State Service employment or employment as a police officer.
(2)  The secretary shall convene meetings or sittings of the Board, shall keep a record of all proceedings and decisions of the Board, and shall perform such other duties as the Board may require or as may be prescribed.

50D.   Appeals

(1)  A police officer (in this section referred to as "the appellant") who is aggrieved by any decision, determination, order, or recommendation made by the Commissioner –
(a) with respect to –
(i) any reduction in the position, rank, or pay of that police officer;
(ii) the dismissal of that police officer from the police force; or
(iii) the imposition by the Commissioner on that police officer of any fine or the forfeiture by that police officer of all or any of his pay;
(b) requiring that police officer to resign from the police force –
may appeal therefrom to the Board, which shall hear and determine the appeal.
(2)  An appeal under this section shall be instituted –
(a) by written notice of appeal setting forth the grounds of the appeal and delivered or forwarded by post to the secretary; and
(b) within 30 days after the appellant has been notified of the decision, determination, order, or recommendation in respect of which the appeal is made.
(3)  The appellant shall within the time mentioned in subsection (2) (b) , deliver or forward by post to the Commissioner a copy of his notice of appeal.
(4)  Upon receipt of a notice of appeal under this section, the secretary shall, after conferring with the chairman of the Board, fix a date, time, and place for the hearing of the appeal, and shall forthwith notify the appellant and the Commissioner of the time and place so fixed.
(5)  The date fixed for the hearing of an appeal under this section shall be not less than 7 days after the notice of appeal is received by the secretary.
(6)  Upon the hearing of an appeal under this section –
(a) the appellant, and the Commissioner or a police officer or a person employed in the Department nominated by the Commissioner, may appear before the Board and tender evidence and examine witnesses appearing before the Board;
(b) the appellant, and the Commissioner or other officer referred to in paragraph (a) , may be represented by a legal practitioner or by an agent who may examine witnesses and address the Board; and
(c) the Board has and may exercise the same powers as are conferred by Part 3 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act 1995 on Commissions established under section 4 of that Act in respect of inquiries under that Act.
(6A)  On determining an appeal under this section, the Board may uphold the appeal in whole or in part, or may dismiss the appeal, and may make such orders as it may consider necessary or desirable for the purpose of giving effect to its decision.
(6B)  Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (6A) , on the determination of an appeal under this section, the Board may make any one or more of the following orders, namely:
(a) an order that the position, rank, or rate of pay to which the appellant was reduced by the Commissioner shall be a higher or lower position, rank, or rate of pay than that to which the appellant was so reduced;
(b) an order that the amount of any fine imposed on the appellant by the Commissioner be increased or reduced;
(c) an order that the amount of the pay that the Commissioner directed should be forfeited by the appellant be increased or decreased.
(7)  Subject to subsection (8) , the decision of the Board upon the determination of an appeal under this section is final, and the Commissioner shall give effect thereto accordingly.
(7A)  No person, other than the members of the Board and the persons mentioned in subsection (6) , together with any persons performing any clerical or administrative duty at the hearing of the appeal, shall be admitted to the room or place in which the Board hears an appeal under this section.
(8)  An appeal lies to a judge of the Supreme Court, sitting in chambers, on points of law only, from decisions of the Board, and that judge has jurisdiction to hear and determine any such appeal.
(9)  The Commissioner shall give effect to any decision or order of the Supreme Court made upon the hearing of an appeal to the Court from a decision of the Board.
(10)  The right of appeal conferred on police officers by this section extends to any superintendent or inspector or other officer of police (other than the Commissioner, the Deputy-Commissioner, or the Assistant Commissioners) appointed by the Governor who is aggrieved by any decision, determination, or order of the Governor with respect to any reduction in the position, rank, or pay of that superintendent, inspector, or other officer or his discharge or dismissal from the police force, and the foregoing provisions of this section shall be construed accordingly.
(11)  In the application of the provisions of this section to an appeal made by any superintendent, inspector, or other officer of police appointed by the Governor, a reference to the Commissioner –
(a) in subsections (7) and (9) , shall be construed as a reference to the Governor; and
(b) in subsections (3) and (4) , shall be construed as a reference to the Minister.
(12)  Subject to this section, the procedure on the making, hearing, and determination of appeals under this section shall be as prescribed or, in the absence of regulations in that behalf, as the Board may determine.
(13)  For the purposes of this section,police officer includes a cadet.
PART V - Miscellaneous

51.   Certain lands to revert to the Crown

Upon the date on which this Act comes into operation, all lands and buildings, or any part of any lands or buildings, vested in any municipality and heretofore used exclusively for police purposes, or as a residence for any officer of police or for any constable, in any municipality, and which were before the day on which such municipality was proclaimed vested in the Crown, and upon which the council of such municipality have not expended any money in the construction of any buildings erected thereon, shall revert to the Crown, and shall thereafter be available for the purposes of this Act, or may be disposed of as the Governor may think fit.

52.   Protection from liability for police officers

(1)  A police officer shall not incur any civil liability for an act or omission done or made in good faith in the exercise or discharge, or purported exercise or discharge, of any powers, functions, duties, or responsibilities conferred or imposed upon him by any provision of this or any other Act (whenever enacted) or by law.
(2)  A liability that would, but for subsection (1) , lie against a police officer shall lie against the Crown.

53.   Protection from liability of persons assisting police officers

(1)  A person who at the request and under the direction of a police officer assists the police officer in a search and rescue operation does not incur any civil liability for any act or omission done or made in good faith in the search and rescue operation.
(2)  A liability that would, but for subsection (1) , lie against a person assisting a police officer in a search and rescue operation lies against the Crown.

54.   

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

55.   

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

56.   

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

57.   

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

58.   

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

59.   

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

60.   

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

61.   Power of court to order security for costs in actions brought against police officers

In any action brought against any police officer for anything done by him as such officer, the court in which such action is brought, or a judge, may order that the plaintiff in such action shall give security for costs, or that all proceedings therein shall be stayed.

62.   

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

63.   

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

64.   

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  
SCHEDULE 1 - Repeal of Acts

Section 3

Date and number of Act.

Title of Act.

Extent of repeal.

29 Vict. No. 9

Police Regulation Act 1865

The whole Act

45 Vict. No. 21

Police Regulation Amendment Act 1881

The whole Act

54 Vict. No. 12

Police Regulation Amendment Act 1890

The whole Act

SCHEDULE 2 - Forms

Sections 16 , 17

Form 1
graphic image
Form 2

Section 23

graphic image
SCHEDULE 3 - Membership of Board

Section 49A (4)

1.   Interpretation
In this Schedule, member means a member of the Board.
2.   Term of office
A member is to be appointed for such period, not exceeding 3 years, as is specified in the member's instrument of appointment.
3.   Holding other office
The holder of an office who is required under any Act to devote the whole of his or her time to the duties of that office is not disqualified from –
(a) holding that office and also the office of a member; or
(b) accepting any remuneration payable to a member.
4.   Remuneration of members
A member is entitled to be paid such remuneration, allowances and expenses as the Minister determines.
5.   Vacation of office
(1) A member vacates office if the member –
(a) dies; or
(b) resigns; or
(c) is removed from office under subclause (2) or (3) .
(2) The Minister may remove a member from office if the member –
(a) is absent from 3 consecutive meetings of the Board without the permission of the Board; or
(b) becomes bankrupt, applies to take the benefit of any law for the relief of bankrupt or insolvent debtors, compounds with creditors or makes an assignment of remuneration or estate for their benefit; or
(c) is convicted, in Tasmania or elsewhere, of a crime or an offence punishable by imprisonment for 12 months or longer; or
(d) is convicted of an offence against this Act or is found to have breached the Code of Conduct within the meaning of the State Service Act 2000 .
(3) The Minister may remove a member from office if satisfied that the member is unable to perform adequately or competently the duties of office.
6.   Filling of vacancies
(1) If the office of the member referred to in section 49A (1) (b) becomes vacant, the Minister may appoint a person selected from nominations received under that paragraph to the vacant office for the remainder of that member's term of office.
(2) If the office of a member referred to in section 49A (1) (a) or (c) becomes vacant, the Minister may appoint a suitable person to the vacant office for the remainder of that member's term of office.
SCHEDULE 4 - Meetings of Board

Section 49A (5)

1.   Interpretation
In this Schedule –
meeting means a meeting of the Board;
member means a member of the Board.
2.   Convening of meetings
The chairperson may convene a meeting at any time.
3.   Procedure at meetings
(1) The quorum at any duly convened meeting is 3 members.
(2) Any duly convened meeting at which a quorum is present is competent to transact any business of the Board.
(3) Questions arising at a meeting are to be determined by a majority of votes of the members present and voting.
(4) A telephone or video conference between members is a meeting at which the members participating in the conference are present.
4.   Chairperson
The chairperson, or, in his or her absence, the deputy chairperson, of the Board is to preside at all meetings.
5.   Minutes
The Board is to cause full and accurate minutes to be kept of its proceedings at meetings.
6.   General procedure
Subject to this Schedule, the procedure for the calling of, and for the conduct of business at, meetings is as determined by the Board.
7.   Validity of proceedings
(1) An act or proceeding of the Board or of a person acting under the direction of the Board is not invalid by reason only that at the time when the act or proceeding was done, taken or commenced there was a vacancy in the membership of the Board.
(2) An act or proceeding of the Board or of a person acting under the direction of the Board is valid even if –
(a) the appointment of a member of the Board was defective; or
(b) a person appointed as a member of the Board was disqualified from acting as, or incapable of being, such a member.
8.   Presumptions
In any proceedings by or against the Board, unless evidence is given to the contrary, proof is not required of –
(a) the constitution of the Board; or
(b) any resolution of the Board; or
(c) the appointment of any member; or
(d) the presence of a quorum at any meeting of the Board.