Key Factors
- NSW Police search figures confirmed a mean drug detection success fee of simply 25 per cent over the past decade.
- There are requires an finish to sniffer canine and strip searches at festivals, and the introduction of capsule testing.
- “No drug is protected, even whether it is examined,” the police minister has informed reporters.
A report exposing the low success fee of drug-detection canine has sparked renewed requires an finish to their use together with strip searches at music festivals.
NSW Police search figures present the canine scored a mean drug detection success fee of simply 25 per cent over the past decade, whereas a Regulation Enforcement Conduct Fee (LECC) overview revealed officers routinely didn’t observe correct strip search procedures.
Of the greater than 94,000 basic and strip searches undertaken from 2013 to June 30 this yr after a drug canine detection, practically 71,000 yielded no illicit medication, based on figures launched to Greens MP Cate Faehrmann.
Faehrmann has referred to as on NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley to clarify why the fee’s suggestions from an preliminary overview in 2020 – which additionally discovered related failings – had not been adopted.
“It is outrageous that lower than one in three cops is following the principles for shielding privateness and dignity in strip searches.”
In NSW, officers can undertake both basic or strip searches if they’ve an inexpensive suspicion of illicit drug possession.
Nevertheless, a sign by a drug detection canine by itself doesn’t entitle police to routinely conduct a search, and officers are required to ask follow-up questions, reminiscent of whether or not an individual is in possession of banned medication.
Faehrmann, who’s the Greens’ drug regulation reform and hurt minimisation spokeswoman, mentioned the usage of sniffer canine is resulting in folks being needlessly searched, and referred to as for the canines to be banned from music festivals.
“Unequivocally, drug canine do not cease folks taking medication, they simply result in riskier behaviour and typically that riskier behaviour can have deadly outcomes,” she informed reporters exterior the Hear Out music competition in Sydney on Saturday.
Catley mentioned she has requested NSW Police for a briefing on the LECC report in relation to drug-detection canine and is awaiting a response.
“No drug is protected, even whether it is examined,” she informed reporters in Sydney on Saturday.
Well being Minister Ryan Park mentioned earlier within the week the usage of drug-detection canine was just one a part of how police labored to uncover illicit substances.
However he conceded it was probably the difficulty would come up at a drug summit because of happen subsequent yr.
A NSW Police spokeswoman mentioned drug-detection canine had been very efficient with the “majority” of canine searches ensuing “in both medication being situated, or the particular person admitting latest contact with unlawful medication”.
A police sniffer canine on patrol through the Splendour within the Grass music competition. Supply: Getty / Matt Jelonek
Faehrmann has pointed in the direction of a sequence of suggestions made by deputy state coroner Harriet Grahame in 2019, following an inquest into six MDMA-related deaths at NSW music festivals between December 2017 and January 2019.
In it, Grahame referred to as for capsule testing and mentioned the heavy police and drug detection canine presence inspired dangerous, and typically deadly, behaviour like panic ingestion to keep away from detection.
