I am very interested in knowing what powers a "Plain Clothes Constable" has in Queensland, particularly in their First / Second years of service (eg. the First Year Constable Program or the subsequent year).
Would they generally be expected to have the authority to perform Investigations and Arrests for serious Indictable matters to go before the District Court? For example, an Indictable Charge that can attract a penalty of up to 14 years jail?
I should add that I would find it somewhat disturbing if that were so - in comparison to Medical Professionals, would someone in their First / Second year be qualified to perform an expert diagnosis on a suspected illness that could result in a extremely risky and expensive operation which could have a very great impact on the Patient's Life?
Surely the Police Officer would at the very least require extensive training in Interviewing and Investigative Skills before being allowed to tackle this particular category of Cases?
It would be all too easy for a Junior Officer to get it wrong or try too hard and come up with an incorrect assessment of the facts. What kind of supervision and safeguards are in place to prevent such a thing happening?
Would they generally be expected to have the authority to perform Investigations and Arrests for serious Indictable matters to go before the District Court? For example, an Indictable Charge that can attract a penalty of up to 14 years jail?
I should add that I would find it somewhat disturbing if that were so - in comparison to Medical Professionals, would someone in their First / Second year be qualified to perform an expert diagnosis on a suspected illness that could result in a extremely risky and expensive operation which could have a very great impact on the Patient's Life?
Surely the Police Officer would at the very least require extensive training in Interviewing and Investigative Skills before being allowed to tackle this particular category of Cases?
It would be all too easy for a Junior Officer to get it wrong or try too hard and come up with an incorrect assessment of the facts. What kind of supervision and safeguards are in place to prevent such a thing happening?