Cops Cautious Over Bouncer Power

South Australian police are cautious about the Australian Hotels Association’s plan to give nightclub security teams extra detention powers.

“If police are not immediately available, private licensed security guards should have the power to apprehend people, or take control of them and take them to the nearest police officer or restrain them outside the premises until police arrive,” AHA general manager Ian Horne said.

But Acting Assistant Commissioner Paul Dickson said existing legislation allowed private citizens to detain someone who committed a crime.

Bouncers can restrain drunk or violent patrons inside the club but cannot detain them inside or outside. Giving them such powers would depend on level of training and background checks, Dickson said.