Section 32 VAPP 2015

Section 32 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015 is about Powers of police. It provides as follows:

(1) A police officer, at the scene of an incident of violence or as soon thereafter as
reasonably possible or to whom a report of violence has been made, shall have the duty of –
(a) assisting a victim of violence to file a complaint regarding the violence;
(b) providing or arranging safe transport for the victim to an alternative
residence, safe place or shelter where such is required:

(c) providing or arranging transportation for the victim to the nearest hospital or medical facility for treatment of injuries where such treatment is needed;
(d) explaining to the victim his or her rights to protection against violence and remedies available in terms of this Act;

(e) explaining to the victim that he or she has the right to lodge a criminal complaint in addition to any remedy provided under this Act; and
(f) accompanying the victim to victim’s residence to collect personal belongings.

(2) A police officer may, without an order from the Court or a warrant of arrest, arrest any person whom-
(a) he or she suspects upon reasonable grounds to have committed any of the offences under Part 1 of this Act: and
(b) a complaint has been made for having committed any of the offences under Part 1 of this Act.

(3) A police officer in carrying out his or her duties under this Act shall have the power to –
(a) remove or supervise the removal of a person excluded from a shared
residence where the court has issued such an order under this Act;

(b) remove or supervise the removal of any dangerous weapon used in
order to commit an act of violence as contemplated in this Act:

(c) collect and store fingerprints including DNA of accused and convicted
offenders: and

(d) perform any other act considered necessary in order to ensure the safety and well-being of the complainant.

[/membership]