Before an inspection of the Police Service of Northern Ireland or Police Service of Northern Ireland Reserve is carried out under section 46, the Chief Inspector must inform those of Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Constabulary who have been appointed under section 41(1) of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 (c. 32) as inspectors of constabulary for Northern Ireland.

If those inspectors notify the Chief Inspector that they wish to carry out the inspection, the Chief Inspector must delegate its carrying out to them under paragraph 7.

If those inspectors do not notify the Chief Inspector that they wish to carry out the inspection, the Chief Inspector must, before the inspection or review is carried out, consult the F1Department of Justice with a view to obtaining F2the Department’s approval of the inspection which it is proposed to carry out.