Preliminaries to prosecution Arrest Flashcards
Arrest (211 cards)
What does the element of arrest consider?
Police powers of arrest with and without a warrant.
What roles do community support officers perform?
They perform some functions of police officers, both administratively and practically.
What is a major part of the role of operational police officers?
To investigate crime and bring the perpetrators to justice.
What act contains most police powers for investigations?
Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (‘PACE’).
List the ranks of uniformed officers from the most junior.
- Constable
- Sergeant
- Inspector
- Chief Inspector
- Superintendent
- Chief Superintendent
What does the term ‘Constable’ mean in PACE Act 1984?
Any police officer.
How many Codes of Practice are attached to the PACE Act 1984?
Eight Codes of Practice: A to H.
What does Code C of the Codes of Practice deal with?
Powers of arrest and detention.
Do breaches of the Codes of Practice render evidence inadmissible?
No, breaches do not render evidence inadmissible per se.
What must a police officer demonstrate to exercise arrest powers?
- Legal authority to exercise the power
- Lawful exercise of the power
What are the two tests for reasonable grounds?
- Subjective test
- Objective test
What mnemonic can be used to remember the components of an arrest?
PACE: Identify the Power, legal Authority, Criteria, and how to Exercise.
What constitutes an arrest?
Restraining the liberty of the person arrested.
What is the most important arrest power under PACE 1984?
s.24 allows for a constable to arrest a person without a warrant.
List the grounds for arrest under s.24 PACE 1984.
- About to commit an offence
- In the act of committing an offence
- Reasonable grounds for suspecting about to commit an offence
- Reasonable grounds for suspecting committing an offence
What are the reasons for arrest under s.24 PACE 1984?
- To ascertain the name of the person
- To ascertain the address of the person
- To prevent physical injury
- To protect a vulnerable person
- To allow prompt investigation
- To prevent prosecution hindrance
What is required for reasonable suspicion?
An objective basis for the suspicion based on facts, information, and/or intelligence.
What does the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980, s.1 allow?
The magistrates’ court to issue an arrest warrant based on substantiated information.
What must a person be informed of at the time of arrest?
- That they are under arrest
- The ground for the arrest
What is the caution that must be given upon arrest?
‘You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.’
What must be recorded by the arresting officer?
The nature and circumstances of the offence, reasons for arrest, giving of the caution, and anything said by the arrested person.
What does s.117 of PACE Act 1984 state about the use of force?
Officers may use reasonable force if necessary in the exercise of their powers.
What is the significance of excessive force during an arrest?
Use of excessive force does not render an arrest unlawful.