Police Act 1996

59 Police Federations. E+W+S

[F1 (1) There shall continue to be a Police Federation for England and Wales for the purpose of representing members of the police forces in England and Wales, and special constables appointed for a police area in England and Wales, in all matters affecting their welfare and efficiency, except for—

(a) questions of promotion affecting individuals, and

(b) (subject to subsection (2)) questions of discipline affecting individuals.]

[F2 (1A) In fulfilling that purpose, the Police Federation for England and Wales must—

(a) protect the public interest,

(b) maintain high standards of conduct, and

(c) maintain high standards of transparency.]

[F3 (1B) There shall continue to be a Police Federation for Scotland for the purpose of representing constables of the Police Service of Scotland in all matters affecting their welfare and efficiency, except for—

(a) questions of promotion affecting individuals, and

(b) (subject to subsection (2A)) questions of discipline affecting individuals.]

[F4 (2) The Police Federation for England and Wales may—

(a) represent a member of a police force at any proceedings brought under regulations made in accordance with section 50(3) above, or on an appeal from any such proceedings;

(b) represent a special constable at any proceedings brought under regulations made in accordance with section 51(2A) above, or on an appeal from any such proceedings.

(2A) The Police Federation for Scotland may represent a constable of the Police Service of Scotland at any proceedings brought under regulations made in accordance with section 48 of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (asp 8) in so far as relating to the matters described in section 52 of that Act, or on an appeal from any such proceedings.]

[F5 (3) Except on an appeal to a police appeals tribunal or as provided in regulations made in accordance with section 84—

(a) a member of a police force in England and Wales may only be represented under subsection (2)(a) by another member of a police force or a special constable;

(b) a special constable appointed for a police area in England and Wales may only be represented under subsection (2)(b) by another special constable or a member of a police force;

(c) a constable of the Police Service of Scotland may only be represented under subsection (2A) by another constable of the Police Service of Scotland.]

(4) The Police Federations shall act through local and central representative bodies.

(5) The Police Federations and every branch of a Federation shall be entirely independent of, and subject to subsection (6) unassociated with, any body or person outside the police service, but may employ persons outside the police service in an administrative or advisory capacity.

(6) The Secretary of State—

(a) may authorise a Police Federation or a branch of a Federation to be associated with a person or body outside the police service in such cases and manner, and subject to such conditions and restrictions, as he may specify, and

(b) may vary or withdraw an authorisation previously given;

and anything for the time being so authorised shall not be precluded by subsection (5).

(7) This section applies to police cadets as it applies to members of police forces, and references to the police service shall be construed accordingly.

F6 (7A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F7 (8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 59(1) substituted (28.4.2022 for specified purposes, 28.6.2022 in so far as not already in force) by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (c. 32), ss. 4(4), 208(4)(a); S.I. 2022/520, reg. 5(c)

F2 S. 59(1A) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 3.4.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), ss. 49, 183(1)(5)(e); S.I. 2017/399, reg. 2, Sch. para. 9

F3 S. 59(1B) inserted (28.4.2022 for specified purposes, 28.6.2022 in so far as not already in force) by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (c. 32), ss. 4(5), 208(4)(a); S.I. 2022/520, reg. 5(c)

F4 S. 59(2)(2A) substituted for s. 59(2) (28.4.2022 for specified purposes, 28.6.2022 in so far as not already in force) by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (c. 32), ss. 4(6), 208(4)(a); S.I. 2022/520, reg. 5(c)

F5 S. 59(3) substituted (28.4.2022 for specified purposes, 28.6.2022 in so far as not already in force) by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (c. 32), ss. 4(7), 208(4)(a); S.I. 2022/520, reg. 5(c)

F6 S. 59(7A) omitted (7.10.2013) by virtue of Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 8 para. 40; S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(v)

F7 S. 59(8) repealed (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), s. 178(8), Sch. 4 para. 74, Sch. 17 Pt. 2; S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. paras. 10, 13(y)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 59 modified (S.) (temp. from 22.8.1996 to 22.8.1996) and (E.W.) (temp. from 22.8.1996) by virtue of 1996 c. 16, s. 103, Sch. 8 Pt. III para. 11; S.I. 1996/2146, art. 2