Police and Magistrates' Courts Act 1994

54 Power of Secretary of State to give directions to police authorities

After section 26 of the 1967 Act there shall be inserted—

“26A Power to give directions to police authority after adverse report

(1) The Secretary of State may at any time require the inspectors of constabulary to carry out, for the purposes of this section, an inspection under section 33(3) of this Act of any police force maintained under section 1 of this Act.

(2) Where a report made to the Secretary of State on an inspection carried out for the purposes of this section states—

(a) that, in the opinion of the person making the report, the force inspected is not efficient; or

(b) that in his opinion, unless remedial measures are taken, the force will cease to be efficient,

the Secretary of State may direct the police authority or joint police committee for the area for which the force is maintained to take such measures as may be specified in the direction.

26B Police efficiency: allocation of funds

Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (2) of section 26A of this Act, the Secretary of State may under that subsection direct a police authority or joint police committee to allocate from their income, to the purpose of ensuring that a police force is efficient, such amounts as he shall specify.

26C Duty of compliance

It shall be the duty of a police authority or joint police committee to comply with any direction given to them under section 26A or 26B of this Act.”.