Section 2: Codes of practice
8.This section deals with consultation by the Secretary of State on codes of practice relating to the exercise of functions by the Board or the Chief Constable. It amends section 27 of the 2000 Act. Prior to the amendment, section 27 required the Secretary of State to consult the Board, the Chief Constable and such other persons or bodies as he considered appropriate before publishing or revising a code of practice relating to the exercise of functions by the Board or the Chief Constable. The effect of the amendment is that the Secretary of State must consult the Board with a view to reaching agreement on any proposed new or revised code of practice. In addition, he is required to consult the Ombudsman, the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, and (as previously) the Chief Constable and such other persons as he considers appropriate.