National Investigators Exam (NIE) Practice Exam

Why is reasonable suspicion important under S17 PACE?

1. It informs the severity of the charge in court

2. It allows the police to gain entry for safety reasons

3. It determines the validity of witness testimonies

4. It influences the choice of legal representation

The correct answer is: It allows the police to gain entry for safety reasons

Reasonable suspicion is a key concept under Section 17 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE), as it allows police officers to enter premises without a warrant under certain circumstances, particularly for the purpose of preventing a crime or ensuring safety. When officers have reasonable suspicion that a person is inside a property and may be committing a crime, they can take necessary actions to enter the property. This provision is crucial as it provides a legal framework for police to act decisively when public safety is at stake, allowing them to prevent or respond to potential threats effectively. The importance of reasonable suspicion in this context is that it strikes a balance between individual rights and the necessity for law enforcement to maintain public safety. The officers must have a reasonable belief based on specific facts or circumstances, which justifies their action to enter without a warrant. This ensures that their actions are not arbitrary but grounded in justifiable cause, which is essential in protecting citizens' rights against unlawful searches and seizures. The other options do not pertain to the primary function of reasonable suspicion under S17 PACE. For instance, it does not directly inform the severity of charges, validate witness testimonies, or influence the choice of legal representation. Instead, its primary role is centered around the immediate operational