Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

This page is about a bill. That means that it's not the law yet, but some people want it to be the law. It could change quickly, and some of the information is just a draft.

Parliament Bill

Parliamentary security - Powers and duties of parliamentary security officers - Powers to detain person

177: When power to detain person may be exercised

You could also call this:

"When can a parliamentary security officer stop and detain you?"

Illustration for Parliament Bill

If you are in or want to enter the parliamentary precincts, a parliamentary security officer can stop you if they think you have committed or are about to commit a serious offence. The officer can also stop you if you refuse to leave the precincts after being asked, or if you try to re-enter after being removed. You might be stopped if you disobey a direction from an officer to protect someone's safety. A parliamentary security officer can use their powers to detain you, as outlined in sections 178 and 179, if they think you are a threat. However, if the officer thinks your actions should be dealt with by the Police, they might ask for your name, address, and date of birth instead. The officer will contact the Police to report your conduct. If you do not give the officer the information they ask for, they will warn you that they might detain you, as outlined in sections 178 and 179. If you still refuse, the officer can detain you and use handcuffs. The officer's powers are to keep everyone in the parliamentary precincts safe.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS964346.

Topics:
Crime and justice > Police and safetyGovernment and voting > Government departments
Previous

176: Power to seize item, or

"Security officers can take items from people in Parliament if they pose a threat or are against the law"

Next

178: Power to detain person, or

"When can a parliamentary security officer stop and hold someone for a short time?"

Part 7Parliamentary security
Powers and duties of parliamentary security officers: Powers to detain person

177When power to detain person may be exercised

  1. This section applies if a parliamentary security officer has reasonable grounds to believe that a person—

  2. who wants to enter, or is in, the parliamentary precincts may recently have committed a specified offence or may be about to commit a specified offence; or
    1. has—
      1. refused to leave the parliamentary precincts after having been required to do so by a parliamentary security officer or has attempted to re-enter the parliamentary precincts after being removed or denied entry by a parliamentary security officer; and
        1. been warned that they may be detained if they persist with those actions; and
          1. persisted with those actions; or
          2. has refused to obey a direction from a parliamentary security officer to do anything that is reasonably necessary to protect the safety or security of any person in the parliamentary precincts; or
            1. has refused to obey a direction from a parliamentary security officer to stop doing anything that adversely affects the safety or security of any person in the parliamentary precincts.

              1. The parliamentary security officer may exercise the powers in sections 178(1)(b) (which relates to the officer’s power to detain a person) and 179 (which relates to the officer’s power to use handcuffs).

              2. However, if the parliamentary security officer considers that the person’s conduct would more appropriately be referred to a Police officer, the officer may—

              3. ask the person to give the parliamentary security officer the person’s full name, address, and date of birth (the requested information); and
                1. contact the Police to report the person’s conduct.

                  1. If the person does not give the parliamentary security officer the requested information, the officer may—

                  2. warn the person that, if the person fails to give the officer the requested information, the officer may exercise the powers in sections 178 (which relates to the officer’s power to detain a person) and 179 (which relates to the officer’s power to use handcuffs); and
                    1. if the person still does not give the officer the requested information, exercise the powers in sections 178 and 179.