Released 17/08/2017
The Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Mick Gentleman, has today updated the Legislative Assembly about the steps the ACT Government is taking to target criminal activity by outlaw motorcycle gangs.
“Canberra remains a very safe city to live in, but the unlawful firearms activity and apparent escalation of violence linked to outlaw motorcycle gangs are of serious concern to the community, ACT Policing, and to this government,” Minister Gentleman told the Legislative Assembly.
“The ACT Government and ACT Policing are working together to continually strengthen our response to OMCG activities, particularly as those criminal activities evolve. This involves an ongoing conversation between the ACT Government and ACT Policing about what tools and resources, including new laws, could assist police to target OMCGs. I have committed to working with the Attorney-General and my Cabinet colleagues to bring forward a discussion on legislative options to assist police target serious and organised crime. We intend for this to include:
- a new offence directly addressing drive-by shootings to ensure this behaviour is subject to an appropriately serious penalty
- new crime scene powers, and
- firearm prohibition orders.
“A specific offence addressing drive-by shootings would subject this dangerous behaviour to a serious penalty, even if it cannot be shown that a particular individual was the target of the shooting. This would make it clear to OMCGs that the community rejects this behaviour.
“ACT Policing has identified that specific powers to secure a crime scene to protect evidence while obtaining a search warrant would be a beneficial measure. A recent incident where bullets were fired into the walls and windows of a house demonstrated a gap in the law in the ACT, as ACT Policing officers were unable to either enter the house or establish a crime scene until a search warrant was obtained. If the occupants of a house in this scenario subsequently tamper with evidence while police are obtaining a search warrant, this impacts on the ability of ACT Policing and forensic specialists to examine the scene. I will work with my Cabinet colleagues to examine crime scene powers and consider possible solutions to address this issue.
“Firearm Prohibition Orders could allow for specified persons to be prohibited from possessing a firearm, firearm parts or ammunition. Once an order is made it would allow police to search the order subject, their vehicle and premises to determine if they have committed an offence contrary to the order. ACT Policing has advised Firearm Prohibition Orders could greatly assist in the proactive and agile targeting of persons currently engaged in OMCGs and associated criminal activity and help to reduce firearms related violence.
“The Government is also exploring the introduction of fortification removal laws. The ACT does not currently have laws which prohibit the establishment of fortifications or require them to be removed. Fortifications are structures designed to stop or hinder uninvited entry to premises. Fortifications may provide OMCGs with time to vacate premises, delay police entry and frustrate the execution of search warrants through the destruction of evidence. Laws allowing police to apply for an order which requires fortifications to be removed or modified will provide an additional tool to assist police to effectively target serious and organised crime.”
Minister Gentleman said the ACT Government invested an additional $6.4 million last year to increase Taskforce Nemesis – a group dedicated to detecting, disrupting and prosecuting members of outlaw motorcycle gangs involved in criminal activities – by eight additional staff.
“Since it was established by ACT Policing in 2015 to lead operational and investigative responses to outlaw motorcycle gang activity, Taskforce Nemesis has been responsible for initiating 83 prosecutions against outlaw motorcycle gang members for a total of 255 offences. This demonstrates great success by this group to further protect our community.
“The ACT Government will not step away from our commitment to the safety of our community and will continue to ensure ACT Policing is effectively resources, and has the right tools, to meet challenges it faces ahead. I commend the ongoing dedication of the men and women of ACT Policing in their commitment to keeping the ACT safe.”
- Statement ends -
Mick Gentleman, MLA | Media Releases
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