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Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000

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Changes to legislation:

Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 10 November 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Help about Changes to Legislation

  1. Introductory Text

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    Part I Name of the Police in Northern Ireland

    1. 1. Name of the police in Northern Ireland.

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    Part II The Northern Ireland Policing Board

    1. 2. The Northern Ireland Policing Board.

    2. 3. General functions of the Board.

    3. 4. Police support staff.

    4. 5. Power to transfer certain staff to employment of Board.

    5. 6. Provision and maintenance of buildings and equipment.

    6. 7. Acquisition and disposal of land by Board.

    7. 8. Provision of advice and assistance to international organisations, etc.

    8. 9. Grants to, and borrowing by, the Board.

    9. 10. Funding for police purposes – ancillary provisions.

    10. 11. Charges for special services.

    11. 12. Accounts and audit.

    12. 13. Rewards for diligence.

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    Part III District and community policing arrangements

    1. District policing partnerships

      1. 14. Establishment of district policing partnerships.

      2. 15. Default of council.

      3. 16. General functions of district policing partnerships.

      4. 17. Annual report by district policing partnership to council.

      5. 18. Reports by district policing partnership to Board.

      6. 19. Code of practice for district policing partnerships.

    2. Police districts

      1. 20. Police districts.

      2. 21. District policing partnership sub-groups for Belfast.

      3. 22. The local policing plan.

    3. Other community policing arrangements

      1. 23. Other community policing arrangements.

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    Part IV Policing objectives, plans and codes of practice

    1. 24. The Secretary of State’s long term policing objectives.

    2. 25. The Board’s policing objectives.

    3. 26. The Board’s policing plan.

    4. 27. Codes of practice on exercise of functions.

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    Part V Economy, efficiency and effectiveness

    1. 28. Arrangements relating to economy, efficiency and effectiveness.

    2. 29. Audit of performance plans.

    3. 30. Examinations.

    4. 31. Enforcement of duties under section 28.

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    Part VI The police

    1. General functions

      1. 32. General functions of the police.

      2. 33. General functions of Chief Constable.

      3. 34. Exercise of functions of Chief Constable in cases of absence, incapacity, etc.

      4. 35. Appointment and removal of senior officers.

      5. 36. Appointment and promotion of other police officers in the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

      6. 37. Appointments to the Police Service of Northern Ireland Reserve.

      7. 38. Attestation of constables.

    2. Trainees and cadets

      1. 39. Appointment of police trainees.

      2. 40. Appointment of police reserve trainees.

      3. 41. Status etc. of trainees.

      4. 42. Police cadets.

    3. Recruitment arrangements

      1. 43. Contracting-out of certain recruitment functions of Chief Constable.

      2. 44. Recruitment arrangements: trainees and support staff.

      3. 45. Recruitment arrangements: other ranks.

    4. Temporary provisions concerning composition of the police

      1. 46. Discrimination in appointments.

      2. 47. Expiry, renewal and repeal of temporary provisions.

      3. 48. Action plans.

      4. 49. Severance arrangements.

    5. General

      1. 50. Service by members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland Reserve with other police services.

      2. 51. Notifiable memberships.

      3. 52. Code of ethics.

      4. 53. Guidance as to use of equipment for maintaining or restoring public order.

      5. 54. Regulations as to emblems and flags.

      6. 55. Identification of police officers.

      7. 56. Co-operation with Garda Siochana.

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    Part VII Reports and inquiries

    1. 57. Annual and other reports by the Board.

    2. 58. Annual report by Chief Constable to Board.

    3. 59. General duty of Chief Constable to report to Board.

    4. 60. Inquiry by Board following report by Chief Constable.

    5. 61. Reports by Chief Constable to Secretary of State.

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    Part VIII The police ombudsman

    1. 62. Mediation.

    2. 63. Reports by Ombudsman to Chief Constable and Board.

    3. 64. Supply of information by Ombudsman to Board.

    4. 65. Limits on complaints and references to Ombudsman.

    5. 66. Access by Ombudsman to information and documents.

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    Part IX Miscellaneous and supplementary

    1. Miscellaneous

      1. 67. The Commissioner.

      2. 68. Reports by the Commissioner.

      3. 69. General duty of Secretary of State.

      4. 70. The Royal Ulster Constabulary GC Foundation.

      5. 71. Traffic wardens.

      6. 72. Video recording of interviews.

      7. 73. Places of detention: lay visitors.

      8. 74. Application to police of anti-discrimination legislation.

    2. Supplementary

      1. 75. Expenses of Secretary of State.

      2. 76. Orders and regulations.

      3. 77. Interpretation.

      4. 78. Amendments, transitional and transitory provisions and repeals.

      5. 79. Commencement.

      6. 80. Extent.

      7. 81. Short title.

  11. SCHEDULES

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      SCHEDULE 1

      The Northern Ireland Policing Board

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        Part I Status and membership

        1. Status

          1. 1.(1) The Board shall not be regarded as the servant...

        2. Membership: application of Parts II and III

          1. 2.(1) While section 1 of the Northern Ireland Act 2000...

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        Part II Membership during suspension of devolved government

        1. Constitution

          1. 3.(1) The Board shall consist of not less than 14...

        2. Term of office

          1. 4.(1) Subject to the following provisions of this paragraph, a...

        3. Remuneration and allowances of members

          1. 5.(1) The Board may pay to the chairman, vice-chairman and...

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        Part III Membership during devolved government

        1. Constitution

          1. 6.(1) The Board shall consist of 19 members of whom—...

        2. Political members

          1. 7.(1) Where this Part comes into effect in relation to...

        3. Independent members

          1. 8.(1) The Secretary of State shall so exercise his powers...

        4. Removal of members from office

          1. 9.(1) The Secretary of State may remove a person from...

        5. Disqualification

          1. 10.(1) A person is disqualified for membership of the Board...

        6. Chairman and vice-chairman

          1. 11.(1) There shall be a chairman and a vice-chairman of...

        7. Remuneration and allowances of members

          1. 12.(1) The Board may pay to the chairman, vice-chairman and...

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        Part IV Staff

        1. Staff of the Board

          1. 13.(1) The Board may, with the approval of the Secretary...

        2. Power to transfer staff to employment of Board

          1. 14.(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations provide for...

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        Part V Funding

        1. Grants to the Board

          1. 15.(1) The Secretary of State shall for each financial year...

        2. Accounts and audit

          1. 16.(1) The Board shall in relation to grants received under...

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        Part VI Procedure

        1. Procedure

          1. 17.(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the quorum for a meeting...

        2. Inquiries under section 60

          1. 18.(1) Sub-paragraph (2) applies if— (a) the Board is considering—...

        3. Public meetings

          1. 19.(1) This paragraph applies to a meeting held by the...

        4. Validity of proceedings

          1. 20.The validity of any proceedings of the Board or a...

        5. Seal

          1. 21.The application of the seal of the Board shall be...

        6. Execution and proof of instruments

          1. 22.(1) Any contract or instrument which, if entered into or...

        7. Disclosure of pecuniary interests, family connections, etc.

          1. 23.Sections 28 to 33, 42, 46, 47 and 146 of...

        8. Committees

          1. 24.(1) The Board may— (a) constitute committees of such 5...

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      SCHEDULE 2

      Transfer of functions, assets, liabilities and staff of Police Authority for Northern Ireland

      1. Interpretation

        1. 1.In this Schedule— “the Authority” means the Police Authority for...

      2. Transfer of functions

        1. 2.(1) The functions exercisable by the Authority immediately before the...

      3. Transfer of assets and liabilities

        1. 3.(1) All property, rights and liabilities to which the Authority...

      4. Transfer of employed staff

        1. 4.(1) Subject to sub-paragraphs (2) and (3), this paragraph applies...

      5. Transfer of seconded staff

        1. 5.(1) This paragraph applies to a person who immediately before...

      6. References to, and acts, etc. done by, or in relation to, the Authority

        1. 6.(1) Any reference in any statutory provision or document to...

      7. Accounts

        1. 7.(1) In this paragraph “the relevant period” means the period—...

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      SCHEDULE 3

      District policing partnerships

      1. Interpretation

        1. 1.(1) In this Schedule “a DPP” means a district policing...

      2. Size and composition

        1. 2.(1) A DPP shall consist of 15, 17 or 19...

      3. Political members

        1. 3.(1) A council shall exercise its power to appoint political...

      4. Independent members

        1. 4.(1) Appointments of independent members shall be made by the...

      5. The council’s nominations

        1. 5.(1) Where appointments are to be made of independent members...

      6. Code of practice on appointment of independent members

        1. 6.(1) In exercising functions under paragraphs 4 and 5, a...

      7. Removal of members from office

        1. 7.(1) The Board, or the council with the approval of...

      8. Disqualification

        1. 8.(1) A person is disqualified for membership of a DPP...

      9. Chairman and vice-chairman

        1. 9.(1) There shall be a chairman and a vice-chairman of...

      10. Allowances

        1. 10.The council may pay to the chairman, vice-chairman and other...

      11. Finance

        1. 11.The Board shall for each financial year make to the...

      12. Procedure

        1. 12.(1) The quorum for a meeting of a DPP shall...

      13. Validity of proceedings

        1. 13.The validity of any proceedings of a DPP or a...

      14. Disclosure of pecuniary interests, family connections, etc.

        1. 14.Sections 28 to 33, 42, 46, 47 and 146 of...

      15. Committees

        1. 15.(1) A DPP may— (a) constitute committees of such 5...

      16. Joint partnerships

        1. 16.(1) The Secretary of State may by order provide that...

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      SCHEDULE 4

      The Commissioner

      1. Appointment etc. of the Commissioner

        1. 1.(1) Subject to the following provisions of this paragraph, a...

      2. Terms of reference

        1. 2.(1) On appointing the Commissioner, the Secretary of State shall...

      3. Remuneration, pensions, allowances, etc.

        1. 3.(1) The Secretary of State may pay, or make such...

      4. Staff

        1. 4.(1) The Commissioner may, with the approval of the Secretary...

        2. 5.The Employers’ Liability (Defective Equipment and Compulsory Insurance) (Northern Ireland)...

      5. Exercise of functions

        1. 6.(1) Any functions of the Commissioner under this Act may...

      6. Evidence

        1. 7.A document purporting to be duly signed by, or on...

      7. Finance

        1. 8.The Secretary of State shall pay to the Commissioner such...

        2. 9.(1) The Commissioner shall— (a) keep proper accounts and proper...

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      SCHEDULE 5

      Application of anti-discrimination legislation to the police

      1. Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 (NI 15)

        1. 1.(1) The Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 shall be...

      2. Race Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 (NI 6)

        1. 2.(1) The Race Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 shall be...

      3. Fair Employment and Treatment (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 (NI 21)

        1. 3.(1) The Fair Employment and Treatment (Northern Ireland) Order 1998...

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      SCHEDULE 6

      Amendments

      1. Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 (c. 33 (N.I.))

        1. 1.In the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 after section 43...

      2. Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (1967 c. 13)

        1. 2.In Schedule 2 to the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 at...

      3. House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 24)

        1. 3.(1) The House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 shall be...

      4. Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 25)

        1. 4.(1) The Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975 shall be...

      5. Interpretation Act 1978 (c. 30)

        1. 5.In Schedule 1 to the Interpretation Act 1978 (defined words...

      6. Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 (NI 9)

        1. 6.In Article 47A(2) of the Health and Safety at Work...

      7. Finance Act 1981 (c. 35)

        1. 7.In section 107(3)(k) of the Finance Act 1981 for “the...

      8. Aviation Security Act 1982 (c. 36)

        1. 8.In section 31(3)(c) of the Aviation Security Act 1982 for...

      9. Official Secrets Act 1989 (c. 6)

        1. 9.In section 12(1)(e) of the Official Secrets Act 1989 for...

      10. Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (NI 12)

        1. 10.(1) The Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989...

      11. Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990 (c. 31)

        1. 11.In section 22(4)(b) of the Aviation and Maritime Security Act...

      12. Police Act 1996 (c. 16)

        1. 12.(1) The Police Act 1996 shall be amended as follows....

      13. Juries (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (NI 6)

        1. 13.In Schedule 2 to the Juries (Northern Ireland) Order 1996...

      14. Commissioner for Complaints (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (NI 7)

        1. 14.In Schedule 2 to the Commissioner for Complaints (Northern Ireland)...

      15. Proceeds of Crime (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (NI 9)

        1. 15.In Article 23(5)(a) and (b) of the Proceeds of Crime...

      16. Road Traffic Offenders (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (NI 10)

        1. 16.In Article 84(2) of the Road Traffic Offenders (Northern Ireland)...

      17. Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (NI 16)

        1. 17.(1) The Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 shall be...

      18. Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (NI 22)

        1. 18.In Article 84(b) of the Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996...

      19. Registration of Clubs (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (NI 23)

        1. 19.In Article 51 of the Registration of Clubs (Northern Ireland)...

      20. Police Act 1997 (c. 50)

        1. 20.(1) The Police Act 1997 shall be amended as follows....

      21. Road Traffic Regulation (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 (NI 2)

        1. 21.In Articles 44(1), 45, 51 and 54(2) of the Road...

      22. Police (Health and Safety) (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 (NI 16)

        1. 22.In Article 7(3) of the Police (Health and Safety) (Northern...

      23. Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 (c. 32)

        1. 23.(1) The Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 shall be amended...

      24. Northern Ireland Act 1998 (c. 47)

        1. 24.(1) The Northern Ireland Act 1998 shall be amended as...

      25. Freedom of Information Act 2000 (c. )

        1. 25.(1) The Freedom of Information Act 2000 shall be amended...

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      SCHEDULE 7

      Transitional and transitory provisions

      1. Statutory references to the police service and the police service reserve

        1. 1.In relation to any time before the coming into force...

      2. Recruitment arrangements: references to the Board

        1. 2.At any time before the commencement of section 2, references...

      3. Section 23

        1. 3.Any body established by arrangements made under section 7(1) of...

      4. Registration of Political Parties Act 1998

        1. 4.In relation to any time before the coming into force...

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      SCHEDULE 8

      Repeals

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