Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998

59 Steps to be taken after investigation – disciplinary proceedings

(1) Where—

(a) the Director has dealt with the question of criminal proceedings; or

(b) the Ombudsman determines that the report under section 56(6) or 57(8) does not indicate that a criminal offence may have been committed by a member of the police force,

the Ombudsman shall consider the question of disciplinary proceedings.

(2) The Ombudsman shall send the appropriate disciplinary authority a memorandum containing—

(a) his recommendation as to whether or not disciplinary proceedings should be brought in respect of the conduct which is the subject of the investigation;

(b) a written statement of his reasons for making that recommendation; and

(c) where he recommends that disciplinary proceedings should be brought, such particulars in relation to the disciplinary proceedings which he recommends as he thinks appropriate.

(3) No disciplinary proceedings shall be brought by the appropriate disciplinary authority before it receives the memorandum of the Ombudsman under subsection (2).

(4) The Police Authority shall advise the Ombudsman of what action it has taken in response to a recommendation contained in a memorandum sent to it under subsection (2); and nothing in the following provisions of this section has effect in relation to senior officers.

(5) If—

(a) a memorandum sent to the Chief Constable under subsection (2) contains a recommendation that disciplinary proceedings should be brought; but

(b) the Chief Constable is unwilling to bring such disciplinary proceedings,

the Ombudsman may, after consultation with the Chief Constable, direct him to bring disciplinary proceedings.

(6) Subject to subsection (7)—

(a) it shall be the duty of the Chief Constable to comply with a direction under subsection (5);

(b) the Chief Constable may not discontinue disciplinary proceedings which he has brought in accordance with—

(i) a recommendation contained in a memorandum under subsection (2); or

(ii) a direction under subsection (5).

(7) The Ombudsman may give the Chief Constable leave—

(a) not to bring disciplinary proceedings which subsection (6)(a) would otherwise oblige him to bring; or

(b) to discontinue disciplinary proceedings with which subsection (6)(b) would otherwise require him to proceed.

(8) Regulations made in accordance with section 25(3) or 26(3) may establish, or make provision for the establishment of, a special procedure for any case in which disciplinary proceedings are brought—

(a) where a memorandum under subsection (2) recommending the bringing of those proceedings contains a statement to the effect that, by reason of exceptional circumstances affecting the case, the Ombudsman considers that such special procedures are appropriate; or

(b) in compliance with a direction under subsection (5).

(9) The Chief Constable shall advise the Ombudsman of what action he has taken in response to—

(a) a recommendation contained in a memorandum under subsection (2);

(b) a direction under subsection (5).