Section 51 - General conduct of the search

(1) Reasonable effort shall be taken to minimise the embarrassment that a person or the person whose property is being searched may experience.

(2) The co-operation of the person to be searched shall be sought in every case.

(3) A forcible search may be used as a last resort only if it has been established that the person being searched is unwilling to co-operate or resists.

(4) The length of time for which a person or vehicle may be detained for a search depends on the circumstances, but this shall be within a reasonable time.

(5) Searches in public shall be restricted to superficial examination of outer clothing.

(6) Where it is considered necessary to conduct a more thorough search that requires a person to take off his cloth or headgear, it:

(a) shall be done out of public view and by an officer of the same sex with the person being searched; and

(b) may not be made in the presence of anyone of the opposite sex unless the person being searched requests it.