Published 30 September 2024
About this booklet
This comprehensive booklet has information about your rights if you are dealing with police or protective service officers (PSOs).
Topics include:
- practical tips for dealing with police and PSOs
- giving your name and address
- searches
- move on powers
- arrest
- mental illness and psychological distress
- traffic offences
- public intoxication.
It also has information about making complaints and where to get help.
This booklet was produced in partnership with Inner Melbourne Community Legal.
Updates on laws
Bail laws have changed.
From 26 March 2025, it may be harder to get bail. Visit our website ‘Being released from police custody’ for more information.
Laws about designated areas have changed.
From March 2025, police can:
- make an area a designated area if they have information that it is likely an incident with weapons will happen
- announce an area is a designated area on the Victoria Police website – they do not have to publish this in a local newspaper.
Updated