Superintendent authorisation

Custody

A superintendent (or above) may authorise continued detention beyond the initial 24-hour period up to a maximum of 36 hours, where they have reasonable grounds to believe that continued detention is necessary to secure or preserve evidence or obtain evidence by questioning, the offence is an indictable offence, and the investigation is being conducted diligently and expeditiously.

In practice

The superintendent's authorisation is an internal safeguard that bridges the gap before a magistrates' court can be convened for a warrant of further detention. The authorisation must be in writing and the detainee must be informed and given an opportunity to make representations.

Related terms

Detention clock
Magistrates' warrant of further detention
Review of detention
Custody officer

Last updated 24 September 2026