70Child kept in care and control at police station

70 Child kept in care and control at police station

(1) This section applies in respect of a child who has been transported to a police station under section 69(5).

(2) A police officer must not place the child in a police gaol or a police cell.

(3) A police officer must continue to take reasonable steps to place the child into the care of a suitable person or an appropriate health or welfare agency while the child is kept in care and control at the police station.

(4) For the purposes of subsection (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 police station.

(5) A police officer may only continue to keep in care and control the child at the police station if the police officer believes on reasonable grounds that there is a risk of serious harm to the child or another person that is likely to occur as a result of the behaviour of the child if the child were released.