14Custody officers at police stations

### 14 Custody officers at police stations > > (1)  The Commissioner must appoint one or more police officers as custody officers for each designated police station. > > > (2)  A police officer who is below the rank of sergeant may not be appointed as a custody officer for a designated police station unless there is no person of that rank or above that rank deployed at the designated police station. > > > (3)  A police officer of any rank may perform the functions of a custody officer at a designated police station if a custody officer is not readily available to perform them. > > > (4)  Subject to [subsections (5)](#GS14@Gs5@EN) and [(6)](#GS14@Gs6@EN) and [section 16](#GS16@EN) [(3)](#GS16@Gs3@EN) , none of the functions of a custody officer in relation to a person are to be performed by a police officer who at the time the function is to be performed is involved in the investigation of an offence for which that person is in custody at that time. > > > (5)  Nothing in [subsection (4)](#GS14@Gs4@EN) is to be taken to prevent a custody officer – > > > > > > (a) doing anything in connection with the identification of a suspect; or > > > > > > > (b) [*\[Section 14 Subsection (5) amended by No. 25 of 2006, Sched. 2, Applied:23 Dec 2006\]*](/view/html/inforce/2006-12-23/act-2006-025#JS2@Ja1@GC3@EN) doing anything under the [Road Safety (Alcohol and Drugs) Act 1970](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1970-077) or [Marine Safety (Misuse of Alcohol) Act 2006](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2006-025) . > > > (6)  Where a person in custody is taken to a police station which is not a designated police station, the functions in relation to that person which at a designated police station would be the functions of a custody officer are to be performed – > > > > > > (a) by a police officer who is not involved in the investigation of an offence for which that person is in custody, if such an officer is readily available; and > > > > > > > (b) if no such police officer is readily available, by the officer who took the person to the station or any other officer. > > > (7)  References to a custody officer in [sections 15](#GS15@EN) and [16](#GS16@EN) include references to a police officer other than the custody officer who is performing the functions of a custody officer by virtue of [subsection (3)](#GS14@Gs3@EN) or [(6)](#GS14@Gs6@EN) .