The Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989

Responsibilities in relation to persons detained

40.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (4), it shall be the duty of the custody officer at a police station to ensure—

(a) that all persons in police detention at that station are treated in accordance with this Order and any code of practice issued under it and relating to the treatment of persons in police detention; and

(b) that all matters relating to such persons which are required by this Order or by such codes of practice to be recorded are recorded in the custody records relating to such persons.

(2) If the custody officer, in accordance with any code of practice issued under this Order, transfers or permits the transfer of a person in police detention—

(a) to the custody of a police officer investigating an offence for which that person is in police detention; or

(b) to the custody of an officer who has charge of that person outside the police station,

the custody officer shall cease in relation to that person to be subject to the duty imposed on him by paragraph (1)(a); and it shall be the duty of the officer to whom the transfer is made to ensure that he is treated in accordance with the provisions of this Order and of any such codes of practice as are mentioned in paragraph (1).

(3) If the person detained is subsequently returned to the custody of the custody officer, it shall be the duty of the officer investigating the offence to report to the custody officer as to the manner in which this Article and the codes of practice have been complied with while that person was in his custody.

(4) If an arrested juvenile is taken to a place of safety in pursuance of arrangements made under Article 39(6), the custody officer shall cease in relation to that person to be subject to the duty imposed on him by paragraph (1).

(5) Where an arrested juvenile is taken to a place of safety in pursuance of such arrangements, it shall be the duty of the occupier of that place to make available to him such advice and assistance as may be appropriate in the circumstances.

(6) Where—

(a) an officer of higher rank than the custody officer gives directions relating to a person in police detention; and

(b) the directions are at variance—

(i) with any decision made or action taken by the custody officer in the performance of a duty imposed on him under this Part; or

(ii) with any decision or action which would but for the directions have been made or taken by him in the performance of such a duty,

the custody officer shall refer the matter at once to an officer of the rank of superintendent or above who is responsible for the police station for which the custody officer is acting as custody officer.