Police Act 1996

Part III U.K. Police Representative Institutions

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

60 Regulations for Police Federations. E+W+S

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations—

(a) prescribe the constitution and proceedings of the Police Federations, or

(b) authorise the Federations to make rules concerning such matters relating to their constitution and proceedings as may be specified in the regulations.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), regulations under this section may make provision—

(a) with respect to the membership of the Federations;

(b) with respect to the raising of funds by the Federations by voluntary subscription and the use and management of funds derived from such subscriptions;

(c) with respect to the manner in which representations may be made by committees or bodies of the Federations to [F8 local policing bodies,] [F9 the Scottish Police Authority], chief officers of police and the Secretary of State;

(d) for the payment by the Secretary of State of expenses incurred in connection with the Federations and for the use by the Federations of premises provided by [F10 local policing bodies or] [F11 the Scottish Police Authority] for police purposes; and

(e) [F12 about the pay, pension or allowances and other conditions of service for any member of a police force or special constable who is the secretary or officer of a Police Federation (including provision which applies existing regulations with modifications), and may require] the appropriate Federation to make contributions in respect of the pay, pension or allowances payable to or in respect of any such person.

F13 (2A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) Regulations under this section may contain such supplementary and transitional provisions as appear to the Secretary of State to be appropriate, including provisions adapting references in any enactment (including this Act) to committees or other bodies of the Federations.

[F14 (4) Before making any regulations under this section the Secretary of State shall consult—

(a) for regulations extending to England and Wales, the national board of the Police Federation for England and Wales, and

(b) for regulations extending to Scotland, the three Central Committees of the Police Federation for Scotland, sitting together as a Joint Committee.]

(5) A statutory instrument containing regulations under this section shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(6) This section applies to police cadets as it applies to members of police forces.

Textual Amendments

F8 Words in s. 60(2)(c) inserted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 37(a); S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1

F9 Words in s. 60(2)(c) substituted (S.) (1.1.2013) by Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (asp 8), s. 129(2), sch. 7 para. 13(3)(a); S.S.I. 2012/333, art. 2, sch. 1 (with sch. 2 para. 3) and (E.W.) (1.4.2013) by The Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/602), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 5(3)(a)

F10 Words in s. 60(2)(d) inserted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 37(b); S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1

F11 Words in s. 60(2)(d) substituted (S.) (1.1.2013) by Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (asp 8), s. 129(2), sch. 7 para. 13(3)(b); S.S.I. 2012/333, art. 2, sch. 1 (with sch. 2 para. 3) and (E.W.) (1.4.2013) by The Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/602), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 5(3)(b)

F12 Words in s. 60(2)(e) 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(8), 208(4)(a); S.I. 2022/520, reg. 5(c)

F13 S. 60(2A) repealed (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), s. 178(8), Sch. 4 para. 75, Sch. 17 Pt. 2; S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. paras. 10,, 13(y)

F14 S. 60(4) substituted (31.12.2017) by The Police Federation (England and Wales) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/1140), reg. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 1(2) (with Sch. 3)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2 S. 60: transfer of certain functions (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/1750, arts. 1, 2, Sch. 1; S.I. 1998/3178, art. 3

F15 60A Sections 59 and 60: special provision for the Scottish Police Services Authority and the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency S

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F15 S. 60A repealed (1.4.2013) by Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (asp 8), s. 129(2), sch. 8 Pt. 1; S.S.I. 2013/51, art. 2 (with transitional provisions and savings in S.S.I. 2013/121)

F16 61 The Police Negotiating Board for the United Kingdom. U.K.

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Textual Amendments

F16 Ss. 61, 62 repealed (1.9.2014 for E.W.N.I., 17.8.2023 for S.) by Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (c. 12), ss. 131(2), 185(1) (with ss. 21, 33, 42, 58, 75, 93); S.I. 2014/2125, art. 4(a); S.I. 2023/829, art. 2(a)

F16 62 Functions of the Board with respect to regulations. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F16 Ss. 61, 62 repealed (1.9.2014 for E.W.N.I., 17.8.2023 for S.) by Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (c. 12), ss. 131(2), 185(1) (with ss. 21, 33, 42, 58, 75, 93); S.I. 2014/2125, art. 4(a); S.I. 2023/829, art. 2(a)

63 [F17 Police Advisory Board for England and Wales] E+W+S

(1) There shall continue to be a Police Advisory Board for England and Wales F18 ... for the purpose of advising the Secretary of State on general questions affecting the police F19 ....

F20 (1ZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F21 (1A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F22 (1B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F23 (1C) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) The constitution and proceedings of [F24 the Police Advisory Board for England and Wales] shall be such as the Secretary of State may determine after consulting organisations representing the interests [F25 of local policing bodies,] of police authorities and of members of police forces and police cadets.

[F26 (3) Before making—

(a) [F27 regulations or rules under section 50, 52, 84 or 85], other than regulations [F28 to which section 50(2ZC) applies or] [F29 regulations of a kind referred to in section 52A(1)], or

(b) regulations under Part 2 [F30 or 2B] of the Police Reform Act 2002, [F31 or]

F32 (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F33 (d) an order under section 97A, or

(e) an order under section 11A of the Police Pensions Act 1976 (power to amend kinds of service),]

the Secretary of State shall supply the Police Advisory Board for England and Wales with a [F34 draft of the regulations, rules or order], and take into consideration any representations made by that Board.]

[F35 (4) Section 4K of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 [F36 and section 107EE of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 also impose requirements] on the Secretary of State to consult the Police Advisory Board for England and Wales.]

Textual Amendments

F17 Words in s. 63 title substituted (1.4.2013) by The Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/602), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 25(2)

F18 Words in s. 63(1) repealed (S.) (1.4.2013) by Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (asp 8), ss. 97(2)(a)(i), 129(2) (with s. 100); S.S.I. 2013/51, art. 2 (with transitional provisions and savings in S.S.I. 2013/121) and omitted (E.W.N.I.) (1.4.2013) by virtue of The Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/602), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 5(7)(a)(i)

F19 Words in s. 63(1) repealed (S.) (1.4.2013) by Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (asp 8), ss. 97(2)(a)(ii), 129(2) (with s. 100); S.S.I. 2013/51, art. 2 (with transitional provisions and savings in S.S.I. 2013/121) and omitted (E.W.N.I.) (1.4.2013) by virtue of The Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/602), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 5(7)(a)(ii)

F20 S. 63(1ZA) repealed (S.) (1.4.2013) by Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (asp 8), ss. 97(2)(b), 129(2) (with s. 100); S.S.I. 2013/51, art. 2 (with transitional provisions and savings in S.S.I. 2013/121)

F21 S. 63(1A) repealed (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), s. 178(8), Sch. 4 para. 78(2), Sch. 17 Pt. 2; S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. paras. 10, 13(y)

F22 S. 63(1B) repealed (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), s. 178(8), Sch. 4 para. 78(2), Sch. 17 Pt. 2; S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. paras. 10, 13(y)

F23 S. 63(1C) omitted (7.10.2013) by virtue of Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 8 para. 43; S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(v)

F24 Words in s. 63(2) substituted (S.) (1.4.2013) by Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (asp 8), ss. 97(2)(c), 129(2) (with s. 100); S.S.I. 2013/51, art. 2 (with transitional provisions and savings in S.S.I. 2013/121) and (E.W.N.I.) (1.4.2013) by The Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/602), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 5(7)(b)

F25 Words in s. 63(2) inserted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 39; S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1

F26 S. 63(3) substituted (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), s. 178(8), Sch. 4 para. 78(3); S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. para. 10

F27 Words in s. 63(3)(a) substituted (14.7.2008) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), s. 153(7), Sch. 22 para. 6(2); S.I. 2008/1586, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 47

F28 Words in s. 63(3)(a) inserted (13.5.2014) by Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (c. 12), ss. 123(4), 185(1) (with ss. 21, 33, 42, 58, 75, 93); S.I. 2014/949, art. 3, Sch. para. 10

F29 Words in s. 63(3)(a) substituted (1.9.2014) by Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (c. 12), ss. 133(2), 185(1) (with ss. 21, 33, 42, 58, 75, 93); S.I. 2014/2125, art. 2(c)

F30 Words in s. 63(3)(b) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), ss. 28(5), 183(1)(5)(e)

F31 S. 63(3)(c) and word inserted (1.4.2007) by Police and Justice Act 2006 (c. 48), s. 53(1), Sch. 1 para. 68(3); S.I. 2007/709, art. 3(a) (with art. 6)

F32 S. 63(3)(c) omitted (7.10.2013) by virtue of Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 8 para. 43; S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(v)

F33 S. 63(3)(d)(e) and word inserted (29.1.2010) by Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26), ss. 10(3)(a), 116(1); S.I. 2010/125, art. 2(a)

F34 Words in s. 63(3) substituted (29.1.2010) by Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26), ss. 10(3)(b), 116(1); S.I. 2010/125, art. 2(a)

F35 S. 63(4) 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), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 1 para. 76; S.I. 2017/399, reg. 2, Sch. para. 38

F36 Words in s. 63(4) substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 17.7.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), ss. 8(6), 183(1)(5)(e); S.I. 2017/726, reg. 2(a)

64 Membership of trade unions. E+W+S

(1) Subject to the following provisions of this section, a member of a police force shall not be a member of any trade union, or of any association having for its objects, or one of its objects, to control or influence the pay, pensions or conditions of service of any police force.

(2) Where a person was a member of a trade union before becoming a member of a police force, he may, with the consent of the chief officer of police, continue to be a member of that union during the time of his service in the police force.

F37 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) This section applies to police cadets as it applies to members of a police force, and references to a police force or to service in a police force shall be construed accordingly.

F38 (4A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F38 (4B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F39 (4C) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F40 (4D) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F41 (4E) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F42 (4F) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) Nothing in this section applies to membership of the Police Federations, or of any body recognised by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this section as representing members of police forces who are not members of those Federations.

Textual Amendments

F37 S. 64(3) repealed (1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/3649, arts. 1, 349

F38 S. 64(4A)(4B) repealed (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), s. 178(8), Sch. 4 para. 79, Sch. 17 Pt. 2; S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. paras. 10, 13(y)

F39 S. 64(4C) omitted (7.10.2013) by virtue of Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 8 para. 44; S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(v)

F40 S. 64(4D) omitted (7.10.2013) by virtue of Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 8 para. 44; S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(v)

F41 S. 64(4E) repealed (S.) (1.4.2013) by Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (asp 8), s. 129(2), sch. 8 Pt. 1; S.S.I. 2013/51, art. 2 (with transitional provisions and savings in S.S.I. 2013/121) and omitted (E.W.) (1.4.2013) by virtue of The Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/602), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 5(8)

F42 S. 64(4F) repealed (S.) (1.4.2013) by Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (asp 8), s. 129(2), sch. 8 Pt. 1; S.S.I. 2013/51, art. 2 (with transitional provisions and savings in S.S.I. 2013/121) and omitted (E.W.) (1.4.2013) by virtue of The Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/602), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 5(8)