Under what circumstances can a police officer stop and search an individual in New South Wales?

In New South Wales, police officers have the authority to stop and search individuals primarily when they have reasonable suspicion that the person is carrying illegal items. This means that the officer must have specific grounds or reasons based on the circumstances observed or information received which lead them to believe that the individual has prohibited items on their person. This standard serves to uphold individual rights while also enabling law enforcement to carry out their duties effectively.

The focus on reasonable suspicion ensures a balance between police powers and the rights of citizens, preventing arbitrary searches without justification. This requirement of reasonable suspicion is essential to maintaining lawful policing practices and protecting civil liberties, which would not be the case if officers could stop and search individuals arbitrarily or without clear justification.

While other options mention conditions such as having a warrant, being in a public place, or acting suspiciously, these elements alone are not sufficient grounds for a search without the critical factor of reasonable suspicion regarding illegal items. A warrant indicates a more formal judicial process, while being in public or acting suspiciously does not automatically confer the authority to conduct a search without proper grounds.