Police want open access to schools

Police want open access to schools

By Chris Latham

PERTH — The WA Crown Solicitor's Office has advised a parliamentary enquiry that: "A principal should permit police officers to enter school premises for the purpose of conducting a search of school lockers and school bags only under the authority of a valid search warrant." The enquiry follows police raids at a number WA high schools in July.

A police spokesperson stated that police do not believe they need a warrant if invited into a school by the principal "on the basis of a perceived or proven drug problem". WA police minister Kevin Prince said he did not think that police had broken the law, although he has conceded that the advice from the crown solicitor creates uncertainty about police powers.

The Liberal state government is now moving to allow police free access to high schools without a warrant.

From GLW issue 330