Police Act 1996

[F1 40 Power to give directions in relation to police force E+W

(1) Where the Secretary of State is satisfied that the whole or any part of a police force is failing to discharge any of its functions in an effective manner, whether generally or in particular respects, he may direct the [F2 local policing body] responsible for maintaining the force to take specified measures for the purpose of remedying the failure.

(2) Where the Secretary of State is satisfied that the whole or a part of a police force will fail to discharge any of its functions in an effective manner, whether generally or in particular respects, unless remedial measures are taken, he may direct the [F2 local policing body] responsible for maintaining the force to take specified measures in order to prevent such a failure occurring.

(3) The measures that may be specified in a direction under subsection (1) or (2) include the submission to the Secretary of State of an action plan setting out the measures which the person or persons submitting the plan propose to take for the purpose of remedying the failure in question or (as the case may be) preventing such a failure occurring.

(4) The Secretary of State shall not give a direction under this section in relation to any police force unless—

(a) the [F2 local policing body] responsible for maintaining the force and the chief officer of police of that force have each been given such information about the Secretary of State's grounds for proposing to give that direction as he considers appropriate for enabling them to make representations or proposals under the following paragraphs of this subsection;

(b) that [F2 local policing body] and chief officer have each been given an opportunity of making representations about those grounds;

(c) that [F2 local policing body] and chief officer have each had an opportunity of making proposals for the taking of remedial measures that would make the giving of the direction unnecessary; and

(d) the Secretary of State has considered any such representations and any such proposals.

(5) Subsection (4) does not apply if the Secretary of State is satisfied that—

(a) the [F2 local policing body] responsible for maintaining the force and the chief officer of police of that force have already been made aware of the matters constituting the Secretary of State's grounds for proposing to give a direction under this section;

(b) the information they had about those matters was sufficient to enable them to identify remedial measures that would have made the giving of the direction unnecessary; and

(c) they have each had a reasonable opportunity to take such measures.

(6) The Secretary of State shall not give a direction under this section unless Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary has been given—

(a) the same information about the grounds for proposing to give that direction as is required to be given under subsection (4)(a) (or would be so required but for subsection (5)); and

(b) an opportunity of making written observations about those grounds.

The Secretary of State shall publish any such observations in such manner as appears to him to be appropriate.

(7) A [F2 local policing body] that is given a direction under this section shall comply with it.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Ss. 40-40B substituted for s. 40 (1.4.2007) by Police and Justice Act 2006 (c. 48), s. 53(1), Sch. 2 para. 27; S.I. 2007/709, art. 3(c) (with art. 6)

F2 Words in s. 40 substituted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), ss. 91(2), 157(1); S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Ss. 40-40B: power to apply conferred (28.1.2016 for specified purposes, 28.3.2016 in so far as not already in force) by 2009 c. 20, Sch. 5C para. 11(1)(c) (as inserted by Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016 (c. 1), s. 25(2), Sch. 2)