Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

Part 2 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2003 allows the Chief Constable to designate members of the police support staff, and employees of contractors, as officers who may carry out certain functions with certain police powers.

These regulations make provision for the handling of complaints against persons so designated, and instances of misconduct by persons so designated.

The standard of conduct for persons so designated is set out in the code of ethics issued by the Northern Ireland Policing Board under section 52 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000. As provided for in section 37 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2003, this code is applied to designated persons by the Police Powers for Designated Staff (Code of Ethics) Order (Northern Ireland) 2008.

Part II of these regulations provides for Part 7 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998, (which makes provision about police complaints and disciplinary proceedings) to apply with modifications to designated persons. The modifications, and additional provisions about the handling of complaints against designated persons, are set out in detail in Part IV of these regulations.

Part III of these regulations provides for the suspension of a designated person, and the withdrawal or modification of a designation.

Part V makes provision about cases where the designated person concerned is employed by a contractor.

Part VI makes provision about cases where the designated person concerned is a member of the police support staff.

Part VII makes provision for misconduct proceedings to be brought in a case where the designated person concerned is a member of the police support staff.