Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998

2 General functions of the Police Authority

(1) The Police Authority shall secure the maintenance of the police force in Northern Ireland which shall continue to consist of—

(a) the Royal Ulster Constabulary; and

(b) the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve.

(2) The police force, traffic wardens and the police service staff of the Police Authority shall form a single service which shall be known as the Northern Ireland Police Service.

(3) The Police Authority shall secure that the Northern Ireland Police Service is efficient and effective.

(4) In carrying out its duty under subsection (3), the Police Authority shall keep itself informed as to—

(a) the workings of Part VII (police complaints and disciplinary proceedings); and

(b) the manner in which complaints from members of the public against traffic wardens are dealt with by the Chief Constable under section 70.

(5) In discharging its functions the Police Authority shall have regard to—

(a) any objectives determined by the Secretary of State under section 14;

(b) the objectives determined, and performance targets established, by the Authority under section 15;

(c) the annual policing plan issued by the Authority under section 17;

(d) the statement of principles issued under section 37;

(e) any code of practice issued by the Secretary of State under section 38.