Changes to legislation:

Police Act 1964 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 18 February 2025. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.

Changes to Legislation

Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.

View outstanding changes

Changes and effects yet to be applied to :

s. 33 amended (prosp.) by 1994 c. 29 s. 44 Sch. 5 Pt. 2 para. 33(substituting s. 102 in 1984 c 60)
s. 44(1A)(1B) amended (prosp.) by 1994 c. 29 s. 44 Sch. 5 Pt. 1 para. 11(2)(3)
Sch. 3 para. 1-3 modified (prosp.) by 1994 c. 19 s. 24(5)(6)

Police Act 1964

1964 CHAPTER 48

An Act to re-enact with modifications certain enactments relating to police forces in England and Wales, to amend the Police (Scotland) Act 1956, and to make further provision with respect to the police.

[10th June 1964]F1

Textual Amendments

F1Act (except ss. 37, 60-65, Sch. 5 and the provisions of Sch. 9 other than the entry relating to the Children and Young Persons Act 1933) repealed (22.8.1996) by 1996 c. 16, ss. 103(3), 104(1), Sch. 9 Pt. I

Ss. 37, 60-62, 64 (except subsection (2)), 65(2)-(4), Sch. 5 repealed (1.4.1999) by 1996 c. 16, s. 103(3), Sch. 9 Pt. II; S.I. 1999/533, art. 2(a)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1Act applied by Heathrow Express Railway Act 1991 (c. vii), s. 43(4)(a)

Part IE+W Organisation of Police Forces

County, county borough and combined forcesE+W

[F21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F32A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F4 Forces outside London]E+W

[F52. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F63. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F73A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F83B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F94. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F104A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F114B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F124C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F135. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F145A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F156. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F166A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F208. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F218A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F229. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F2310. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F2410A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F2510B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F2611. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

General provisionsE+W

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13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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[F35F3515A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

AmalgamationsE+W

[F4421. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F4521A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F4621B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F4721C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F4822. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F4923. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F5024. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Miscellaneous and supplementalE+W

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26. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Part IIE+W Central Supervision, Direction and Facilities

Functions of Secretary of StateE+W

28. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F62F6228A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F6328B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F6428C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[28D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

29. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F69F6929A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F7231. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F7331A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F7431B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

32. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

33. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

34. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

35. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

36. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8137. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F81S. 37 repealed (1.4.1999) by 1996 c. 16, s. 103, Sch. 9 Pt. II; S.I. 1999/533, art. 2(a)

Part IIIE+W+S Police Representative Institutions

44. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

45. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

46. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

47. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Part IVE+W+S Miscellaneous and General

Remedies and complaints against policeE+W

48. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

49 - 50. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

OffencesE+W

51. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

52. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

53. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F10353A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F10453B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F10553C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MiscellaneousE+W

54. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

55. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

56. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F10757. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

58. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

59. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SupplementalE+W+S

F11460. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F114S. 60 repealed (1.4.1999) by 1996 c. 16, s. 103(3), Sch. 9 Pt. II; S.I. 1999/533, art. 2(a)

F11561. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F115S. 61 repealed (1.4.1999) by 1996 c. 16, s. 103(3), Sch. 9 Pt. II; S.I. 1999/533, art. 2(a)

F11662. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F116S. 62 repealed (1.4.1999) by 1996 c. 16, s. 103(3), Sch. 9 Pt. II; S.I. 1999/533, art. 2(a)

63. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F11764 Interpretation, repeals and transitional provisions.E+W+S

F117(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2)References in this Act to any enactment shall be construed as references to that enactment as amended, and as including references thereto as extended or applied, by any subsequent enactment.

F118(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F117(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F117(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F117(6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F117S. 64 (except s. 64(2)) repealed (1.4.1999) by 1996 c. 16, s. 103(3), Sch. 9 Pt. II; S.I. 1999/533, art. 2(a)

F118S. 64(3) repealed by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1974 (c. 22), Sch. Pt. XI

65 Short title, commencement and extent.E+W+S

(1)This Act may be cited as the Police Act 1964.

F119(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F119(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F119(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5)The following provisions of this Act extend to Scotland, namely, Part III; . . . F120; section 63 and Schedule 9, so far as they relate to enactments extending to Scotland; section 64 and Part II of Schedule 10; and this section.

(6)This Act does not extend to Northern Ireland.

Textual Amendments

F119S. 65(2)-(4) repealed (1.4.1999) by 1996 c. 16, s. 103(3), Sch. 9 Pt. II; S.I. 1999/533, art. 2(a)

F120Words repealed by Police (Scotland) Act 1967 (c. 77), Sch. 5 Pt. I

SCHEDULES

[F121Schedule 1AE+W POLICE AREAS]

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[F135Schedule 1BE+W POLICE AUTHORITIES ESTABLISHED UNDER SECTION 3]

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[F136Schedule 1CE+W POLICE AUTHORITIES: SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT MEMBERS]

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Section 18.

SCHEDULE 2E+W Form of Declaration

F137SCHEDULE 3E+W. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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F142SCHEDULE 4E+W. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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F149SCHEDULE 5E+W. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Textual Amendments

F149Sch. 5 repealed (1.4.1999) by 1996 c. 16, s. 103(3), Sch. 9 Pt. II; S.I. 1999/533, art. 2(a)

F151SCHEDULES 6E+W. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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F152SCHEDULES 7E+W. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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F153SCHEDULE 8E+W. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Section 63

X1SCHEDULE 9E+W+S Minor and Consequential Amendments

Editorial Information

X1The text of Sch. 9 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and, except as specified, does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

Enactment	Amendment
F154. . .	F154. . .
F155. . .	F155. . .
F155. . .	F155. . .
F156. . .	F156. . .
F157. . .	F157. . .
The M39Metropolitan Police Act 1886.	In section 2 for the words “Minister of Health” there shall be substituted the words “Secretary of State”.
F158. . .	F158. . .
The M40Metropolitan Police (Reciever) Act 1895.	In section 1 for the words “absent from his duties” there shall be substituted the words “unable to act whether by reason of absence or otherwise”.
F159. . .	F159. . .
F160. . .	F160 . . .
F161. . .	F161 . . .
F162. . .	F162. . .—
	F162. . .
	F162. . .
	F162. . .
F155. . .	F155. . .
F163. . .	F163. . .
The M41Local Government (Miscllaneous Provisions) Act 1953.	In section 18, after subsection (2) there shall be added thew following subsection— “(3)– In relation to a council of any county or county borough any reference in paragraph (a) or (b of subsection (1) of section 1 of this Act to the authority, and any references in paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section 2 of this Act to the local authority, shall be construed as including a reference to a police authority which is a committee of that council”.
F155. . .	F155. . .
The M42Local Government Act 1958.	In section 60(2), after the words “the Act of 1933” there shall be inserted the words “or of any order under Part I of the Police Act 1964”; and for the words “that Act” there shall be substituted the words “the Act of 1933”.
F155. . .	F155. . .
F164. . .	F164. . .

Textual Amendments

F154Sch. 9: entry relating to the Metropolitan Police Act 1839 repealed by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1974 (c. 22), s. 1, Sch. Pt. XI, and expressed to be repealed by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1989 (c. 43), s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I

F155Sch. 9: entries relating to the City of London Police Act 1839, the Town Police Clauses Act 1847, the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act 1946, the Homicide Act 1957 and the Road Traffic and Roads Improvement Act 1960, repealed by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1989 (c. 43), s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I

F156Entry relating to The Juries Act 1870 repealed by Criminal Justice Act 1972 (c.71, S I F 39:1), s. 64(2), Sch. 6 Pt. I

F157Entry relating to Metropolitan Police Staff (Superannuation) Act 1875 repealed by Statute Law Repeals Act 1974 (c. 22), s. 1, Sch. Pt. XI

F158Sch. 9 entry omitted (6.4.2017) by virtue of Riot Compensation Act 2016 (c. 8), ss. 10(3)(a), 12(1)(2); S.I. 2017/379, reg. 2

F159Sch. 9: entry relating to “Children and Young Persons Act 1933”repealed (22.8.1996) by 1996 c. 16, ss. 103(3), 104(1), Sch. 9

F160Entry relating to the Local Government Act 1933 repealed by S.I. 1974/595, art. 3(22), Sch. 1 Pt.I

F161Entry relating to Firearms Act 1937 repealed by Firearms Act 1968 (c. 27, S I F 51:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 7

F162Sch. 9: entry relating to “Police (Overseas Service) Act 1945” repealed (1.4.1995) by 1994 c. 29, s. 93, Sch. 9 Pt. I; S.I. 1994/3262, art. 4, Sch.

F163Entry relating to the Police Pensions Act 1948 repealed by Police Act 1976 (c. 35, S I F 95), s. 13(2), Sch. 3

F164Sch. 9 entry repealed (1.9.2007) by Gambling Act 2005 (c. 19), s. 358(1), Sch. 17 (with ss. 352, 354); S.I. 2006/3272, art. 2(4)(5), Sch. 3B (with Sch. 4 (as amended by S.I. 2007/1157, arts. 7-12; S.I. 2007/2169, arts. 7-11)) (as inserted by S.I. 2007/2169, arts. 3, 6, Sch.)

Marginal Citations

M3949 & 50 Vict. 22

M4058 & 59 Vict c. 12

M411 &2 Eliz. 2. c. 26.

M426 & 7 Eliz. 2. c. 55

F165SCHEDULE 10E+W+S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Section 64.

SCHEDULE 11E+W Transitional Provisions

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Police Act 1964

1964 CHAPTER 48

Part IE+W Organisation of Police Forces

County, county borough and combined forcesE+W

[F21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F32A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F4 Forces outside London]E+W

[F52. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F63. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F73A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F83B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F94. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F104A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F114B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F124C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F135. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F145A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F156. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F166A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F208. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F218A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F229. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F2310. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F2410A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F2510B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F2611. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

General provisionsE+W

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[F35F3515A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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AmalgamationsE+W

[F4421. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F4521A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F4621B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F4721C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F4822. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F4923. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F5024. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Miscellaneous and supplementalE+W

26. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Part IIE+W Central Supervision, Direction and Facilities

Functions of Secretary of StateE+W

28. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F62F6228A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F6328B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F6428C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[28D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

29. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F69F6929A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F7231. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F7331A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F7431B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

32. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

33. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

34. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

35. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

36. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .