Police get more powers to tackle gangs

NSW Police are to be armed with extra powers to crack down on bikie gangs, making it
easier to get search warrants and seize assets.
The legislation will create a new type of search warrant targeting organised crime
gangs.
It will allow police to apply to a Supreme Court judge to conduct raids based on
"reasonable suspicion".
Currently they have to satisfy a higher threshold of "reasonable belief".
An officer ranked superintendent or higher will be required to make the application
to a Supreme Court judge.
Premier Nathan Rees said the laws were part of the NSW government's plan to tackle
outlaw motorcycle gangs and strip them of their assets.
"The new warrants will allow police to get the evidence they need when there are
multiple suspects and locations involved," he told reporters in Sydney on Sunday.
"It will be easier for police to search more than one location suspected of being
used to hide illegal items."
The opposition says it generally supports the new laws, to be introduced into NSW
parliament this week.
Making the announcement at a warehouse filled with seized items suspected of being
the proceeds of crime, Mr Rees praised the success of the police crackdown on bikie
gangs.
Strike Force Raptor was set up after a brawl at Sydney airport in March between the
Hells Angels and Comanchero gangs which resulted in one man's death.
Police had since made 69 arrests, laid 147 charges and seized more than 30 weapons,
large quantities of drugs and luxury vehicles including a Bentley, Mr Rees said.
"We are giving police the powers and resources they need. They will catch you, it's
just a matter of time."
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Dave Hudson said there was no potential for police
to abuse the new powers.
"The threshold for obtaining these warrants is significantly high," he said.
"A superintendent or above has to make the application to a Supreme Court justice
and there is the oversight responsibility of the ombudsman ensuring that we don't
abuse these powers," Mr Hudson said.
The legislation will be introduced as an amendment to laws passed in parliament in
April which allow the Supreme Court to declare bikie gangs criminal organisations on
request from the police commissioner.
Opposition justice spokesman Greg Smith said the coalition supported the proposed
laws, but questioned their timing.
"I'm just wondering is this all window dressing ... or is it really necessary? I
favour the former view rather than the latter," he said.
The United Motorcycle Association of NSW, formed by several gangs in April to fight
anti-bikie laws, would not comment on the new legislation.
The association's legal representative, Geoffrey Nicholson QC, said he couldn't
comment until he had read the entire bill.