Police Reform Act 2002

15 General duties of [F1 local policing bodies], chief officers and inspectors U.K.

(1) It shall be the duty of—

(a) every [F2 local policing body] maintaining a police force,

(b) the chief officer of police of every police force, and

(c) every inspector of constabulary carrying out any of his functions in relation to a police force,

to ensure that it or he is kept informed, in relation to that force, about all matters falling within subsection (2).

[F3 (1A) It shall be the duty of the [F4 National Crime Agency] to ensure that it is kept informed, in relation to the Agency, about all matters falling within subsection (2).]

F5 (1B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) Those matters are—

(a) matters with respect to which any provision of this Part has effect;

(b) anything which is done under or for the purposes of any such provision; and

(c) any obligations to act or refrain from acting that have arisen by or under this Part but have not yet been complied with, or have been contravened.

[F6 (2A) Subsection (2B) applies in a case where it appears to a local policing body that—

(a) an obligation to act or refrain from acting has arisen by or under this Part,

(b) that obligation is an obligation of the chief officer of police of the police force which is maintained by the local policing body, and

(c) the chief officer has not yet complied with that obligation, or has contravened it.

(2B) The local policing body may direct the chief officer to take such steps as the local policing body thinks appropriate.

(2C) The chief officer must comply with any direction given under subsection (2B).]

(3) Where—

(a) a [F7 local policing body] maintaining any police force requires the chief officer of that force or of any other force to provide a member of his force for appointment under paragraph 16F8 ... or 18 of Schedule 3,

(b) the chief officer of police of any police force requires the chief officer of police of any other police force to provide a member of that other force for appointment under any of those paragraphs, or

[F9 (c) a [F10 local policing body] or chief officer requires the Director General of the [F11 National Crime Agency] to provide a [F12 National Crime Agency officer] for appointment under any of those paragraphs,]

it shall be the duty of the chief officer [F13 to whom the requirement is addressed or of the Director General] [F14 of the Agency] to comply with it.

(4) It shall be the duty of—

(a) every [F15 local policing body] maintaining a police force,

(b) the chief officer of police of every police force, [F16 and]

[F17 (c) the [F18 National Crime Agency],]

to provide the [F19 Director General] and every member of the [F20 Office's] staff with all such assistance as the [F19 Director General] or that member of staff may reasonably require for the purposes of, or in connection with, the carrying out of any investigation by the [F19 Director General] under this Part [F21 or any review under paragraph 25 of Schedule 3].

(5) It shall be the duty of—

(a) every [F22 local policing body] maintaining a police force,

(b) the chief officer of every police force, [F23 and]

[F24 (c) the [F25 National Crime Agency],]

to ensure that a person appointed under paragraph 16F26 ... or 18 of Schedule 3 to carry out an investigation is given all such assistance and co-operation in the carrying out of that investigation as that person may reasonably require

(6) The duties imposed by subsections (4) and (5) on a [F27 local policing body] maintaining a police force and on the chief officer of such a force and on [F28 the [F29 National Crime Agency]] have effect—

(a) irrespective of whether the investigation [F30 or review (as the case may be)] relates to the conduct of a person who is or has been a member of that force or [F31 a [F32 a National Crime Agency officer]]; F33 ...

(b) [F34 in the case of an investigation,] irrespective of who has the person appointed to carry out the investigation under his direction and control; [F35 and

(c) in the case of a review applied for under paragraph 25(1B) of Schedule 3 in respect of an investigation, irrespective of who had the person appointed to carry out the investigation under his direction and control;]

but a chief officer of a third force may be required to give assistance and co-operation under subsection (5) only with the approval of the chief officer of the force to which the person who requires it belongs F36 . . . .

(7) In subsection (6) “third force”, in relation to an investigation, means a police force other than—

(a) the force to which the person carrying out the investigation belongs; or

(b) the force to which the person whose conduct is under investigation belonged at the time of the conduct;

[F37 and where the person whose conduct is under investigation was a [F38 National Crime Agency officer] at the time of the conduct, “third force” means any police force other than the force to which the person carrying out the investigation belongs.]

[F39 (8) Where the person who requires assistance and co-operation under subsection (5) is a [F40 National Crime Agency officer], a chief officer of a third force may be required to give that assistance and co-operation only with the approval of the Director General of the Agency.

F41 (8A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F42 (8B) In subsections (8) and (8A) “third force”, in relation to an investigation, means any police force other than the force to which the person whose conduct is under investigation belonged at the time of the conduct.]

(9) Where—

(a) the person carrying out an investigation is not a [F43 National Crime Agency officer]; and

(b) the person whose conduct is under investigation was not a [F44 National Crime Agency officer] at the time of the conduct,

[F45 the Agency may be required to give assistance and co-operation under subsection (5) only with the approval of the relevant directing officer.]]

[F46 (10) In subsection (9) “the relevant directing officer”—

(a) in a case where the person who requires assistance and co-operation belongs to a police force, means the chief officer of that force; F47 ...

F48 (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 15 title substituted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 281(2); S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1

F2 Words in s. 15(1)(a) substituted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 281(3); S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1

F3 S. 15(1A) inserted (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 55, 178, Sch. 2 para. 5(2); S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. para. 8 (subject to art. 4(2)-(7))

F4 Words in s. 15(1A) substituted (7.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 6 para. 11(2); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(q)

F5 S. 15(1B) omitted (7.10.2013) by virtue of Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 6 para. 11(3); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(q)

F6 S. 15(2A)-(2C) inserted (16.1.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 14 para. 7; S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1; S.I. 2012/2892, art. 2(g) (with art. 6)

F7 Words in s. 15(3)(a) substituted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 281(3); S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1

F8 Word in s. 15(3)(a) omitted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 1.2.2020 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 5 para. 47(a)(i); S.I. 2020/5, reg. 2(n) (with art. 3(1)(2)(4))

F9 S. 15(3)(c) substituted (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 55, 178, Sch. 2 para. 5(3)(a); S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. para. 8 (subject to art. 4(2)-(7))

F10 Words in s. 15(3)(c) substituted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 281(4); S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1

F11 Words in s. 15(3)(c) substituted (7.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 6 para. 11(4)(a); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(q)

F12 Words in s. 15(3)(c) substituted (7.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 6 para. 11(4)(b); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(q)

F13 Words in s. 15(3) substituted (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 55, 178, Sch. 2 para. 5(3)(b); S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. para. 8 (subject to art. 4(2)-(7))

F14 Words in s. 15(3) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 8.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 9 para. 21(2); S.I. 2017/1249, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)

F15 Words in s. 15(4)(a) substituted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 281(5); S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1

F16 Word in s. 15(4)(b) inserted (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 55, 178, Sch. 2 para. 5(4); S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. para. 8 (subject to art. 4(2)-(7))

F17 S. 15(4)(c) substituted for s. 15(4)(c)(d) (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 55, 178, Sch. 2 para. 5(4); S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. para. 8 (subject to art. 4(2)-(7))

F18 Words in s. 15(4)(c) substituted (7.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 6 para. 11(5); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(q)

F19 Words in s. 15(4) substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 8.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 9 para. 21(3)(a); S.I. 2017/1249, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)

F20 Word in s. 15(4) substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 8.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 9 para. 21(3)(b); S.I. 2017/1249, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)

F21 Words in s. 15(4) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 1.2.2020 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 5 para. 42(a); S.I. 2020/5, reg. 2(n) (with art. 3(1)(2)(4))

F22 Words in s. 15(5)(a) substituted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 281(5); S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1

F23 Word in s. 15(5)(b) inserted (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 55, 178, Sch. 2 para. 5(5); S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. para. 8 (subject to art. 4(2)-(7))

F24 S. 15(5)(c) substituted for s. 15(5)(c)(d) (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 55, 178, Sch. 2 para. 5(5); S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. para. 8 (subject to art. 4(2)-(7))

F25 Words in s. 15(5)(c) substituted (7.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 6 para. 11(5); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(q)

F26 Word in s. 15(5) omitted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 1.2.2020 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 5 para. 47(a)(ii); S.I. 2020/5, reg. 2(n) (with art. 3(1)(2)(4))

F27 Words in s. 15(6) substituted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 281(5); S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1

F28 Words in s. 15(6) substituted (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 55, 178, Sch. 2 para. 5(6)(a); S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. para. 8 (subject to art. 4(2)-(7))

F29 Words in s. 15(6) substituted (7.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 6 para. 11(6)(a); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(q)

F30 Words in s. 15(6)(a) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 1.2.2020 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 5 para. 42(b)(i); S.I. 2020/5, reg. 2(n) (with art. 3(1)(2)(4))

F31 Words in s. 15(6)(a) substituted (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 55, 178, Sch. 2 para. 5(6)(b); S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. para. 8 (subject to art. 4(2)-(7))

F32 Words in s. 15(6)(a) substituted (7.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 6 para. 11(6)(b); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(q)

F33 Word in s. 15(6)(a) omitted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 1.2.2020 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 5 para. 42(b)(ii); S.I. 2020/5, reg. 2(n) (with art. 3(1)(2)(4))

F34 Words in s. 15(6)(b) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 1.2.2020 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 5 para. 42(b)(iii); S.I. 2020/5, reg. 2(n) (with art. 3(1)(2)(4))

F35 S. 15(6)(c) and word inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 1.2.2020 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 5 para. 42(b)(iv); S.I. 2020/5, reg. 2(n) (with art. 3(1)(2)(4))

F36 Words in s. 15(6) repealed (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 55, 174, 178, Sch. 2 para. 5(6)(c), Sch. 17 Pt. 2; S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. paras. 8, 12, 13(oo) (subject to art. 4(2)-(7))

F37 Words in s. 15(7) substituted (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 55, 178, Sch. 2 para. 5(7); S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. para. 8 (subject to art. 4(2)-(7))

F38 Words in s. 15(7) substituted (7.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 6 para. 11(7); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(q)

F39 S. 15(8)(9) inserted (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 55, 178, Sch. 2 para. 5(8); S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. para. 8 (subject to art. 4(2)-(7))

F40 Words in s. 15(8) substituted (7.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 6 para. 11(8); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(q)

F41 S. 15(8A) omitted (7.10.2013) by virtue of Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 6 para. 11(9); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(q)

F42 S. 15(8A)(8B) substituted for words in s. 15(8) (1.4.2007) by Police and Justice Act 2006 (c. 48), ss. 1, 53, Sch. 1 para. 84(3); S.I. 2007/709, art. 3(a) (subject to arts. 6, 7)

F43 Words in s. 15(9)(a) substituted (7.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 6 para. 11(10)(a); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(q)

F44 Words in s. 15(9)(b) substituted (7.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 6 para. 11(10)(b); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(q)

F45 Words in s. 15(9) substituted (1.4.2007) by Police and Justice Act 2006 (c. 48), ss. 1, 53, Sch. 1 para. 84(4); S.I. 2007/709, art. 3(a) (subject to arts. 6, 7)

F46 S. 15(10) inserted (1.4.2007) by Police and Justice Act 2006 (c. 48), ss. 1, 53, Sch. 1 para. 84(5); S.I. 2007/709, art. 3(a) (subject to arts. 6, 7)

F47 Word in s. 15(10)(a) omitted (7.10.2013) by virtue of Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 6 para. 11(11); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(q)

F48 S. 15(10)(b) omitted (7.10.2013) by virtue of Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 6 para. 11(11); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(q)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Pt. 2 applied (with modifications) (22.11.2012) by The Police (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/1204), regs. 1(1), 35(1) (with reg. 35(2))

C2 Pt. 2 applied (with modifications) (22.11.2012) by The Police (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/1204), regs. 1(1), 27

C3 Pt. 2 applied (with application in accordance with reg. 1(3) of the amending S.I.) by The Police (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/2), regs. 1(1), 43(3)

C4 Pt. 2 applied (with modifications) (with application in accordance with reg. 1(3) of the amending S.I.) by The Police (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/2), regs. 1(1), 52

C5 Pt. 2 applied (with modifications) (with application in accordance with reg. 1(3) of the amending S.I.) by The Police (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/2), regs. 1(1), 42(1), Sch. 2

C6 Pt. 2 applied (with modifications) (with application in accordance with reg. 1(3) of the amending S.I.) by The Police (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/2), regs. 1(1), 43(1)(2)

C7 Pt. 2 applied (with modifications) (with application in accordance with reg. 1(3) of the amending S.I.) by The Police (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/2), regs. 1(1), 42(2)

C8 S. 15 applied (with modifications) (E.W.) (28.12.2005) by The Revenue and Customs (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/3311), reg. 3(2)(6), Sch. 1