(1)  Despite section 32 , in any criminal proceeding, a police officer may give evidence in chief for the prosecution by reading or being led through a written statement previously made by the police officer.

(2)  Evidence may not be so given unless –

(a) the statement was made by the police officer at the time of, or soon after, the occurrence of the events to which it refers; and

(b) the police officer signed the statement when it was made; and

(c) a copy of the statement had been given to the person charged or to his or her Australian legal practitioner or legal counsel a reasonable time before the hearing of the evidence for the prosecution.

(3)  A reference in this section to a police officer includes a reference to a person who, at the time the statement concerned was made, was a police officer.