Project No. 29

Commenced: 1972
Completed: 1975

The reference arose partly as a result of the case De Vaney v Moore (unreported, Perth Court of Petty Sessions, 1970, No. 1261) which raised issues about the circumstances in which special constables may be appointed. At the time of the reference, special constables in Western Australia could be appointed under five separate pieces of legislation. However, the report focused primarily on appointments made under the Police Act 1892 (WA), under which a special constable had identical powers to those of a regular police constable.