69Transportation of child taken into care and control

69 Transportation of child taken into care and control

(1) As soon as practicable after complying with the requirements in section 68, a police officer must place the child into the care of a suitable person, being a person who—

(a) the police officer believes on reasonable grounds is capable of caring for the child; and

(b) consents to taking care of the child.

Depending on the circumstances of each case, a suitable person may include the child's parent, a relative or an adult known to the child.

(2) In determining who is a suitable person under subsection (1), a police officer may consider the child's views in relation to the suitability of a person.

(3) If a police officer is unable to place the child into the care of a suitable person, a police officer must take reasonable steps to place the child into the care of an appropriate health or welfare agency.

(4) For the purposes of subsections (1) and (3), a police officer may—

(a) transport the child to the suitable person or the appropriate health or welfare agency; or

(b) arrange for the suitable person or appropriate health or welfare agency to collect the child from the place the child was taken into care and control.

(5) If a police officer is unable to place the child into the care of a suitable person or an appropriate health or welfare agency, a police officer may, as a last resort, transport the child to a police station.