Part I Organisation of Police Forces
F2The metropolitan police and forces outside London
12AF1 Power of deputy to exercise functions of chief constable
1
A deputy chief constable of a police force may exercise or perform any or all of the powers or duties of the chief constable of that force—
a
during any absence, incapacity or suspension from duty of the chief constable,
b
during any vacancy in the office of the chief constable, or
c
at any other time, with the consent of the chief constable.
2
A police authority responsible for maintaining a police force may designate a person holding the rank of assistant chief constable in that force to exercise or perform any or all of the powers or duties of the chief constable of that force—
a
during any absence, incapacity or suspension from duty of both the chief constable and the deputy chief constable, or
b
during any vacancy in the offices of both the chief constable and the deputy chief constable.
3
Only one person shall be authorised to act at any one time by virtue of a designation under subsection (2).
4
The power to act by virtue of subsection (1)(a) or (b) or subsection (2) shall not be exercisable for a continuous period exceeding three months except with the consent of the Secretary of State.
5
The provisions of subsections (1) and (2) shall be without prejudice to any other enactment that makes provision for the exercise by any other person of powers conferred on a chief constable.
Ss. 5A-5C and headings inserted (1.1.2000 for specified purposes and otherwise on the "operative date" (as defined in art. 1(2)(c) of S.I. 2000/1095) for specified purposes and on 3.7.2000 for all other purposes) by 1999 c. 29, s. 310(1) (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 1999/3271, art. 3(a); S.I. 2000/1095, arts. 4-6