Police Act 1996
Part I Organisation of Police Forces
Police areas and police forces
1 Police areas.
...
2 Maintenance of police forces.
3 Establishment of police authorities.
4 Membership of police authorities etc.
5 Reductions in size of police authorities.
...
5A Maintenance of the metropolitan police force.
5B Establishment of the Metropolitan Police Authority.
5C Membership etc of the Metropolitan Police Authority.
The metropolitan police and forces outside London
6 General functions of police authorities.
The City of London
6AZACommon Council to remain police authority for City
6ZAPower to confer particular functions on the Common Council
6ZBPlans by the Common Council
6ZCReports by the Common Council
6A Three-year strategy plans
7 Local policing objectives.
8 Local policing plans.
8ALocal policing summaries
9 Annual reports by police authorities.
9A General functions of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.
9B Appointment of Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.
9C Functions of Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.
9D Appointment of Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.
9E Removal of Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner.
9F Assistant Commissioners of Police of the Metropolis.
9FA Appointment and removal of Deputy Assistant Commissioners
9G Commanders.
Police ranks
9H Other members of the metropolitan police force.
10 General functions of chief constables.
11 Appointment and removal of chief constables.
11A Appointment and removal of deputy chief constables
12 Assistant chief constables.
12A Power of deputy to exercise functions of chief constable
13 Other members of police forces.
14 Police fund.
15 Civilian employees.
16 Appointment of chief executive.
17 Appointment of persons not employed by police authorities.
City of London
18 Supply of goods and services.
19 Approval of decisions about precepts.
20 Questions on police matters at council meetings.
20A Questions on metropolitan police matters at London Assembly meetings.
21 Application of certain provisions to police authorities.
...
22 Reports by chief constables to police authorities.
General provisions
22ACollaboration agreements
22BDuty of chief officers to keep collaboration agreements under review
22CDuty of policing bodies to keep collaboration agreements under review
23 Collaboration agreements involving police forces
23ACollaboration agreements involving policing bodie
23AAForce collaboration provision about civilian employees
23BCollaboration agreements: payments
23CCollaboration agreements: consultation and supplemental
23DCollaboration agreements: accountability
23ECollaboration agreements: publication
23FCollaboration agreements: guidance
23FA Police functions that must be the subject of force collaboration provision
23GCollaboration agreements: directions
23HCollaboration agreements: termination by Secretary of State
23HADecisions about efficiency or effectiveness
23ICollaboration agreements: definitions
24 Aid of one police force by another.
25 Provision of special services.
26 Provision of advice and assistance to international organisations etc.
27 Special constables.
28 Police cadets.
29 Attestation of constables.
30 Jurisdiction of constables.
31 Rewards for diligence
Amendment of names of police areas
31APower to amend names of police areas
Alteration of police areas
32 Power to alter police areas by order.
33 Objections to alterations proposed by Secretary of State.
34 Orders altering police areas: supplementary provisions.
Supplemental
35 The Scilly Isles.
Part II Central Supervision, Direction and Facilities
Functions of Secretary of State
36 General duty of Secretary of State.
36A National Policing Plan
37 Setting of objectives for police authorities.
37AThe strategic policing requirement
38 Setting of performance targets.
39 Codes of practice.
39A Codes of practice for chief officers
40 Power to give directions in relation to police force
40APower to give directions in relation to local policing body
40BProcedure for directions under section 40 or 40A
40CPower to give directions to College of Policing
41Directions as to minimum budget.
41A Power to give directions as to action plans
41B Procedure for directions under section 41A
42Metropolitan police: suspension or removal of Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner
42A Procedure in relation to exercise of powers under section 42
43 Reports from police authorities.
44Provision of information by chief officers of police
45 Criminal statistics.
46 Police grant.
47 Grants for capital expenditure.
48 Grants for expenditure on safeguarding national security.
49 Local inquiries.
50 Regulations for police forces.
50ARegulations for police forces: ranks
50BRegulations under section 50A: procedure
51 Regulations for special constables.
52 Regulations for police cadets.
52ARegulations about hours, leave or pay: consultation etc
53 Regulations as to standard and provision of equipment.
53A Regulation of procedures and practices
Civilian staff
53EGuidance about civilian staff employed by local policing bodies and chief officers
53FGuidance about designated police volunteers
Inspectors of constabulary
54Appointment and functions of inspectors of constabulary.
55 Publication of reports.
56 Assistant inspectors and staff officers.
Central services
57 Common services.
58 Research.
Part III Police Representative Institutions
59 Police Federations.
60 Regulations for Police Federations.
60ASections 59 and 60: special provision for the Scottish Police Services Authority and the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency
61The Police Negotiating Board for the United Kingdom.
62Functions of the Board with respect to regulations.
63 Police Advisory Board for England and Wales
64 Membership of trade unions.
PART 3AThe Police Remuneration Review Body
64AThe Police Remuneration Review Body
64BReports by the Police Remuneration Review Body
Part IV Complaints, disciplinary proceedings etc.
Chapter IComplaints
Interpretation
65Interpretation of Chapter I.
The Police Complaints Authority
66The Police Complaints Authority.
Handling of Complaints etc.
67Preliminary.
68Investigation of complaints: senior officers.
69Investigation of complaints: standard procedure.
70References of complaints to Authority.
71References of other matters to Authority.
72 Supervision of investigations by Authority.
73Reports on investigations etc.
74 Steps to be taken after investigation: senior officers.
75Steps to be taken after investigation: standard procedure.
76Powers of Authority as to disciplinary proceedings.
77Information as to the manner of dealing with complaints etc.
78Constabularies maintained by authorities other than police authorities.
79Reports.
80Restriction on disclosure of information.
81Regulations.
82Regulations – supplementary.
83Guidance concerning complaints etc.
Chapter II Disciplinary and other proceedings
84 Representation etc. at disciplinary and other proceedings
85 Appeals against dismissal etc.
86 Admissibility of statements in subsequent proceedings.
87 Guidance concerning disciplinary proceedings etc.
87AGuidance concerning conduct etc
88Liability for wrongful acts of constables.
Part 4APolice barred list and police advisory list
Police barred list
88ADuty to report dismissals etc to College of Policing
88BDuty to maintain police barred list
88CEffect of inclusion in police barred list
88DApplication of section 88C to persons with mixed functions
88EProhibition on contractors using barred persons
88FRemoval from police barred list
88GPublication of information in police barred list
88HPower to disclose information in police barred list
Police advisory list
88IDuty to report resignations and retirements etc to College of Policing
88JDuty to maintain police advisory list
88KEffect of inclusion in police advisory list
88LRemoval from police advisory list
88MPower to disclose information in police advisory list
Part V Miscellaneous and General
Offences
89 Assaults on constables.
90 Impersonation, etc.
91 Causing disaffection.
Miscellaneous financial provisions
92Grants by local authorities.
93 Acceptance of gifts and loans.
94 Financing of new police and crime commissioners .
95The City of London police Fund.
95ACharging of fees by College of Policing
Miscellaneous
96Arrangements for obtaining the views of the community on policing.
96A National and international functions of the metropolitan police force and other police forces.
96B National and international functions: application of requirements relating to reports etc.
97 Police officers engaged on service outside their force.
97APower to amend section 97
98 Cross-border aid of one police force by another.
99 Jurisdiction of metropolitan police officers.
100 Chief constables affected by police area alterations or local government reorganisations.
100AAppointment of senior police officers as staff of College of Policing
100BDisclosure of information to College of Policing
Supplemental
101 Interpretation.
102 Orders, rules and regulations.
103 Consequential amendments, transitional provisions, repeals, etc.
104 Commencement.
105 Extent.
106 Short title.
SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE 1 Police areas
England (except London)
Wales
SCHEDULE 2Police authorities established under section 3
Membership of police authorities
1(1) The Secretary of State shall by regulations make provision...
Appointment of councillor members
2Regulations under paragraph 1 shall provide that—
Appointment of other members
3(1) Regulations under paragraph 1 shall provide that the members...
Chairman and vice chairmen
4(1) The Secretary of State shall by regulations provide that—...
Standards committees
5The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision as...
Consultation
6Before making regulations under this Schedule the Secretary of State...
Supplementary
7(1) Regulations under this Schedule may make different provision for...
Interpretation
8(1) For the purposes of this Schedule a council is...
9In this Schedule “ lay justice ” has the meaning...
SCHEDULE 2AThe Metropolitan police authority
Membership of Authority
1(1) The Secretary of State shall by regulations make provision...
Appointment of members from London Assembly etc
2Regulations under paragraph 1 shall provide that the members falling...
Appointment of other members
3(1) Regulations under paragraph 1 shall provide that—
Chairman and vice chairmen
4(1) The Secretary of State shall by regulations provide that—...
Standards committees
5The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision as...
Consultation
6Before making any regulations under this Schedule, the Secretary of...
Supplementary
7(1) Regulations under this Schedule may make transitional, consequential, incidental...
Interpretation
8In this Schedule “ lay justice ” has the meaning...
SCHEDULE 3 Police authorities: selection of independent members
Selection panels
1(1) There shall be a selection panel
2A person shall be disqualified for being appointed as or...
3(1) A person shall be appointed to hold office as...
4A member of a selection panel may be removed from...
5A person who ceases to be a member of a...
6(1) The acts and proceedings of any person appointed to...
7(1) A police authority shall make to members of the...
Functions of selection panel
8(1) Where appointments to a police authority are to be...
9A person shall not be nominated under paragraph 8 in...
10In exercising their functions a selection panel shall have regard...
11(1) The Secretary of State may make regulations as to—...
Secretary of State’s short-list
12(1) Where the Secretary of State receives a notice under...
13(1) This paragraph has effect where the number of persons...
14The Secretary of State shall give to the designated members...
SCHEDULE 3APolice authorities: selection of lay justice members
Lay justice selection panels
1(1) There shall be a selection panel—
Lay justice selection panels
2A person shall be disqualified for being appointed as or...
Lay justice selection panels
3Paragraphs 3 to 7 of Schedule 3 apply in relation...
Functions of lay justice selection panels
4(1) Where appointments of lay justices to a police authority...
Functions of lay justice selection panels
5(1) The Secretary of State may make regulations as to—...
Procedure if too few candidates short-listed
6(1) This paragraph applies where the number of persons on...
SCHEDULE 4 Form of Declaration
SCHEDULE 4AFurther provision about Her Majesty's Inspectors of Constabulary
Delegation of functions
1(1) An inspector of constabulary may delegate any of his...
Inspection programmes and inspection frameworks
2(1) The chief inspector of constabulary shall from time to...
Inspections by other inspectors of organisations within remit of inspectors of constabulary
3(1) If— (a) a person or body within sub-paragraph (2)...
Co-operation
4The inspectors of constabulary shall co-operate with—
Joint action
5(1) The inspectors of constabulary may act jointly with another...
Assistance for other public authorities
6(1) The chief inspector of constabulary may if he thinks...
Powers of inspectors to obtain information etc
6A(1) An inspector may serve on a person a notice...
Powers of inspectors to obtain access to police premises
6B(1) An inspector may serve on a person a notice...
Failure to comply with notice under paragraph 6A or 6B
6C(1) If a person who has received a notice under...
Appeals against notices under paragraph 6A
6D(1) A person on whom a notice is served under...
Sensitive information: restriction on further disclosure
6E(1) Where an inspector receives information within sub-paragraph (2), the...
Provision of sensitive information to inspectors
6F(1) A person who provides information that is intelligence service...
Orders under this Schedule
7A statutory instrument containing an order under this Schedule shall...
SCHEDULE 4BThe Police Remuneration Review Body
Interpretation
1In this Schedule “ review body ” means the Police...
Members of the review body
2The Secretary of State shall determine how many members the...
3Members shall hold and vacate office in accordance with the...
4Members shall adhere to any statement of principles issued by...
Resignation of members
5(1) The chair of the review body may resign by...
6(1) The deputy chair of the review body may resign...
7A member other than the chair or deputy chair may...
Dismissal of members
8(1) The Prime Minister may by written notice dismiss the...
9(1) The Secretary of State may by written notice dismiss...
10The Secretary of State may by written notice dismiss a...
Procedure
11(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the review body shall determine...
Matters to be considered
12The Secretary of State may give directions to the review...
Consultation
13(1) The Secretary of State shall consult with the persons...
Publication
14The Secretary of State shall arrange for the publication of—...
Money
15The Secretary of State or the Department of Justice in...
SCHEDULE 5 The Police Complaints Authority
Constitution of Authority
1 The Police Complaints Authority
Status of Authority
2 The Police Complaints Authority
Members
3 The Police Complaints Authority
4 The Police Complaints Authority
5 The Police Complaints Authority
Staff
6 The Police Complaints Authority
7 The Police Complaints Authority
8 The Police Complaints Authority
Power of Authority to set up regional offices
9 The Police Complaints Authority
Proceedings
10 The Police Complaints Authority
11 The Police Complaints Authority
Finance
12 The Police Complaints Authority
13 The Police Complaints Authority
SCHEDULE 6 Appeals to police appeals tribunals
Police appeals tribunals
1(1) In the case of an appeal by a senior...
2(1) In the case of an appeal by a person...
2A(1) For the purposes of paragraphs 1 and 2, “...
Notice of appeal
3An appeal shall be instituted by giving notice of appeal...
Respondent
4On any appeal the respondent shall be such person as...
Casting vote
5Where there is an equality of voting among the members...
Hearing
6(1) A police appeals tribunal may determine a case without...
Effect of orders
7(1) Where on the determination of an appeal the tribunal...
Remuneration and expenses
8Members of a police appeals tribunal shall be—
Costs
9(1) An appellant shall pay the whole of his own...
Interpretation
10In this Schedule— (a) “senior officer” means a member of...
SCHEDULE 7 Consequential amendments
Part I References to police authorities established under section 3 of Police Act 1964
1(1) In the provisions referred to in sub-paragraph (2), for...
Part II Other consequential amendments
Pedlars Act 1871 (c. 96)
2In section 5 of the Pedlars Act 1871, in paragraph...
3In section 8 of that Act— (a) for “police district”...
4In section 9 of that Act for “police district”, in...
5In section 21 of that Act for “district” there shall...
6In Schedule 2 to that Act for “police district” in...
Parks Regulation Act 1872 (c. 15)
7In section 7 of the Parks Regulation Act 1872 for...
8In section 8 of that Act for “of the district”...
Riot (Damages) Act 1886 (c. 38)
9In section 2(1) of the Riot (Damages) Act 1886—
10In section 3 of that Act— (a) in subsection (1)...
11In section 9 of that Act— (a) for “police district”...
Local Government Act 1958 (c. 55)
12In section 60(2) of the Local Government Act 1958 after...
Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1967 (c. 28)
13(1) Section 13 of the Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1967...
Police (Scotland) Act 1967 (c. 77)
14(1) Section 26 of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967 shall...
15In section 39(4) of that Act, for “or section 141...
Firearms Act 1968 (c. 27)
16In Schedule 1 to the Firearms Act 1968, in paragraph...
Police Act (Northern Ireland) 1970 (c. 9 (N.I.))
17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pensions (Increase) Act 1971 (c. 56)
18(1) Schedule 2 to the Pensions (Increase) Act 1971 shall...
Superannuation Act 1972 (c. 11)
19In section 15(5)(b) of the Superannuation Act 1972 for “section...
20Schedule 1 to that Act shall continue to have effect...
Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70)
21In section 94(5)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 for...
Overseas Pensions Act 1973 (c. 21)
22In section 2(2)(d)(i) of the Overseas Pensions Act 1973 for...
Juries Act 1974 (c. 23)
23In Schedule 1 to the Juries Act 1974, in Part...
House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 24)
24In section 1(3) of the House of Commons Disqualification Act...
Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 25)
25In section 1(2) of the Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act...
Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 (c. 51)
26In Schedule 3 to the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act...
Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (c. 65)
27(1) Section 17 of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 shall...
Police Pensions Act 1976 (c.35)
28Section 1(1) of the Police Pensions Act 1976 shall continue...
29(1) Section 7(2) of that Act shall be amended as...
30(1) Section 11 of that Act (interpretation) shall be amended...
Race Relations Act 1976 (c. 74)
31. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interpretation Act 1978 (c. 30)
32In Schedule 1 to the Interpretation Act 1978 (words and...
Finance Act 1981 (c. 35)
33In section 107(3)(k) of the Finance Act 1981 for “section...
Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (c. 60)
34In section 5(1) of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act...
35In section 50(2) of that Act for paragraph (a) there...
36In section 55(14) of that Act for paragraph (a) there...
37In section 64(6B) of that Act— (a) the definition of...
38In section 77(3) of that Act, in the definition of...
Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 (c. 23)
39In section 3(3) of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985,...
Housing Act 1985 (c. 68)
40In Schedule 1 to the Housing Act 1985, in paragraph...
Ministry of Defence Police Act 1987 (c. 4)
41In section 1(2)(a) of the Ministry of Defence Police Act...
Football Spectators Act 1989 (c. 37)
42. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990 (c. 31)
43In section 22(4)(b)(i) of the Aviation and Maritime Security Act...
Local Government Act 1992 (c. 19)
44In section 17(6) of the Local Government Act 1992 for...
Tribunals and Inquiries Act 1992 (c. 53)
45In section 7 of the Tribunals and Inquiries Act 1992,...
46In Schedule 1 to that Act, in Part I, after...
Criminal Appeal Act 1995 (c.35)
47In section 22(2)(c) of the Criminal Appeal Act 1995 for...
SCHEDULE 8 Transitional provisions, savings etc.
Part I General Provisions
Continuity of the law
1(1) The repeal (or revocation) and re-enactment of provisions in...
General saving for old transitional provisions and savings
2The repeal by this Act of any provision of Part...
3The repeal by this Act of an enactment previously repealed...
Use of existing forms, etc.
4Any reference to an enactment repealed by this Act which...
Part II Provisions relating to particular enactments
Pedlars Act 1871
5Any reference to a police district contained in—
Savings relating to the Police Act 1964
6Notwithstanding the repeal by this Act of subsection (4) of...
7Notwithstanding the repeal by this Act of subsection (4) of...
Saving for transitional provisions under the Police and Magistrates’ Courts Act 1994
8Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph 1(4) above, any...
Police areas
9For the period beginning with the commencement of Schedule 1...
10Notwithstanding the repeal by this Act of sections 21A and...
Part III Provisions relating to complaints and discipline
Modification of enactments pending commencement of new discipline procedures
11(1) Until such day as the Secretary of State may...
Modification of section 81
12Until such day as the Lord Chancellor may appoint under...
Saving for complaints procedures established for other bodies of constables
13The coming into force of any provision of Part IV...
SCHEDULE 9 Repeals and revocations
Part I Repeals: general
Part II Repeals consequential on new discipline and complaints procedures
Part III Revocations
TABLE OF DERIVATIONS
1Notes:
2The following abbreviations are used in the Table:— 1964 =...

Police Act 1996

1996 c. 16

An Act to consolidate the Police Act 1964, Part IX of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, Chapter I of Part I of the Police and Magistrates’ Courts Act 1994 and certain other enactments relating to the police.

I1C1Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—C2C3

Annotations:
Commencement Information
I1

Act partly in force at 22.8.1996, partly prospective; see s.104; Act wholly in force at 1.4.1999 by S.I. 1999/533, arts. 2, 3

Extent Information
E1

For the extent of this Act see s.105

Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1

Act applied (6.11.2000) by 1998 c. 32, s. 51, Sch. 3 para. 8(8); S.R. 2000/399, art. 3 (with arts. 4-5)

Act: power to modify conferred (2.4.2001) by 2000 c. 39, s. 7(2); S.I. 2001/766, art. 2(1)(a) (with art. 3)