227Power to conduct strip search

227 Power to conduct strip search (1) Subject to this section, if a person arrested for an offence is brought to a police station, a police officer may conduct a strip search of the (2) A strip search may be conducted if— (a) a police officer suspects on reasonable grounds that the person has in his or her possession— (i) evidential material in relation to that or another offence; or (ii) a seizable item; or (b) the police officer suspects on reasonable grounds that a visual inspection of the person’s body will provide evidence of the person’s involvement in an offence; and— (c) the police officer suspects on reasonable grounds that it is necessary to conduct a strip search of the person to recover that thing or to discover that evidence; and (d) a police officer of the rank of superintendent or higher has approved the conduct of the search. (3) Subject to section 228, a strip search may also be conducted if the person consents in writing. (4) Subject to section 228, a strip search may be conducted in the presence of a medical practitioner who may assist in the search. (5) The approval may be obtained by telephone, fax or other electronic means. (6) A police officer who gives or refuses to give an approval under subsection (2) (d) shall make a record of the decision and of the reasons for the decision.

(7) The force that is necessary and reasonable in the circumstances may be used to conduct a strip search under subsection (2). (8) Any item of a kind referred to in subsection (2) (a) that is found during a strip search may be seized.