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Care and Control Powers

An authorised officer may exercise care and control powers under the Mental Health Act 2009 (SA) when it appears to them that [s 56(1)(c)]:

  • a person has a mental illness, and
  • the person has caused or there is a significant risk of them causing self-harm or harm to other people or property, or
  • the person requires medical examination.

This may be based on the officer’s observations of the person’s behaviour or appearance or reports about the person’s behaviour, appearance, or history [s 56(2)].

These powers can also be used when an authorised officer believes that a patient assistance or transport request has been made in relation to a patient or that the patient is absent without leave [s 56(1)(a) and (b)].

Authorised officers include mental health clinicians, ambulance officers, those employed as medical officers or flight nurses by the Royal Flying Doctor Services and any other people or classes of people approved by the Chief Psychiatrist by notice in the Gazette [s 3]. Some of those already gazetted include Emergency Department practitioners and nurses, medical practitioners, and private psychiatrists.

Other than the general power to take the person into their care and control in these circumstances, authorised officers also have the specific power to [s 56(3)]:

  • transport the person from place to place
  • restrain the person and otherwise use force as reasonably required
  • restrain the person by administering a drug where reasonably required (if authorised under the Controlled Substances Act 1984 (SA))
  • enter and remain in a place where they reasonably suspect the person may be found
  • search the person’s clothing or possessions and take anything that they may use to cause self-harm or harm to other people or property

A search must be carried out quickly and in a manner that avoids causing the person any unnecessary humiliation or offence [s 56(7)]. Anything an authorised officer takes from a person may be kept for as long as necessary for safety reasons but must otherwise be returned or dealt with according to law [s 56(8)].

Where an authorised officer takes a person into their care and control on the basis that they appear to have a mental illness and be a significant risk to their self or others, they must transport the person to a treatment centre or other place for medical examination as soon as possible [s 56(4)(c)].

The care and control powers can continue for as long as reasonably required to facilitate examination or treatment [s 56(5)]. The powers can also be transferred by one police or authorised officer reporting to another authorised officer under section 56(2).

Statement of rights

Where an authorised officer takes a person into their care and control on the basis that they appear to have a mental illness and be a significant risk of harm to their self or others, they must give the person a copy of the statement of rights approved by the Chief Psychiatrist [s 56(4)(c)].

Different statements of rights apply in circumstances where a patient is subject to orders.

Police officers

Under section 57 of the Mental Health Act 2009 (SA), police officers have slightly different care and control powers. The main differences between the care and control powers of authorised officers [s 56] and police officers [s 57] are that:

  • police officers do not provide the statement of rights, only authorised officers do
  • police officers are not able to restrain a person by administering a drug, and
  • unlike police officers, authorised officers are not able to use reasonable force to break into a place when reasonably required to take a person into their care and control.

Police also have a whole range of other powers at their disposal depending on the circumstances. For more information, please refer to Arrest, Your Rights and Bail and Protection of Children and Young People.

Care and Control Powers  :  Last Revised: Fri Feb 10th 2023
The content of the Law Handbook is made available as a public service for information purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for legal advice. See Disclaimer for details. For free and confidential legal advice in South Australia call 1300 366 424.