Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998

53 Complaints – informal resolution

(1) The Ombudsman shall consider whether the complaint is suitable for informal resolution and may for that purpose make such investigations as he thinks fit.

(2) A complaint is not suitable for informal resolution unless—

(a) the complainant gives his consent; and

(b) it is not a serious complaint.

(3) If it appears to the Ombudsman that the complaint is suitable for informal resolution, he shall refer the complaint to the appropriate disciplinary authority.

(4) Where a complaint is referred under subsection (3), the appropriate disciplinary authority shall seek to resolve it informally and may appoint a member of the police force to do so on behalf of the authority.

(5) The Chief Constable shall, at the request of the Police Authority, provide a member of the police force to be appointed by the Police Authority under subsection (4).

(6) If, after attempts have been made to resolve a complaint informally, it appears to the appropriate disciplinary authority—

(a) that informal resolution of the complaint is impossible; or

(b) that the complaint is for any other reason not suitable for informal resolution,

the appropriate disciplinary authority shall notify the Ombudsman accordingly and refer the complaint to him.

(7) Subject to subsection (8), no statement made by any person for the purpose of the informal resolution of a complaint shall be admissible in any subsequent criminal, civil or disciplinary proceedings.

(8) A statement is not rendered inadmissible by subsection (7) if it consists of or includes an admission relating to a matter which does not fall to be resolved informally.