Extended ‘Stop and Search’ Powers in Australia: A challenge for relations between police officers and citizens

Abstract

This paper will provide an investigation, both
theoretical and empirical, into the use of ‘stop
and search’ powers in Australia. It will provide a
detailed analysis of the legislation, its impact and
the implications surrounding ‘stop and search’
powers in Western Australia and, in part,
Victoria and the United Kingdom. The
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
(Perth, October 2011) has also provided a unique
opportunity to study a range of special policing
laws and potential problems.