Vic Police's expanded 'search without warrant' powers: What Kirpan-wearing Sikhs need to know

Victoria Police can now search any car or person in the city of Melbourne without a warrant. The move, aimed at reducing knife crime, will allow police to tap-search a person, ask them to empty their pockets or remove their outer clothing. The law has raised concerns among members of the Sikh community who carry the ceremonial dagger 'kirpan'.

Victoria Police's powers to search without a warrant are aimed at controlling the increase in knife crimes. Credit: Getty/ Pexels

Police officers and Protective Service Officers (PSOs) will have the power to stop and search people in areas in and around the CBD from 30 November 2025 to 29 May 2026 with an aim to get a grip on knife-crimes in Victoria.

Although there is a legal provision to exempt 'kirpan' (religious dagger worn by Sikhs), a section of people from the Sikh community have in the past been asked to remove their religious dagger while entering a premises or venturing in public.

The Kirpan is one of the five articles of faith worn by Sikhs.

Under 'Control of Weapons Act 1990' Kirpan is exempted.

The Gurdwara Council of Victoria claims that they often receive distressed calls from kirpan-wearing community members who have had unfortunate encounters with the authorities.

The community is concerned that the new search powers could disproportionately affect them.

"We receive at least two calls in a month on our helpline from Amritdhari (baptised) Sikhs who have had an unfortunate encounter due to their Kirpan," said Harkirat Singh, member of Victoria Gurudwara Council.

The community is calling for awareness campaigns about kirpans.

Police and protective service officers can search people without a warrant within the Melbourne CBD, Docklands, Southbank, the sporting precinct, and parts of South Melbourne Credit: Victoria Police

Data obtained by the Racial Profiling Data Monitoring Project (RPDMP) through Freedom of Information requests shows that certain communities are disproportionately subject to stop-and-search measures by police.

Data reveals that Aboriginal people were 15 times more likely to be stopped and searched by police officers, while people perceived to be African were about nine times more likely.

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Vic Police's expanded 'search without warrant' powers: What Kirpan-wearing Sikhs need to know

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