Police Act 1996

51 Regulations for special constables. E+W

(1) The Secretary of State may make regulations as to the government, administration and conditions of service of special constables.

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

(a) the qualifications for appointment of special constables;

(b) the retirement of special constables;

[F1 (ba) the conduct [F2 , efficiency and effectiveness] of special constables and the maintenance of discipline;]

(c) the suspension of special constables from their office as constable;

(d) the allowances payable to special constables; and

(e) the application to special constables, subject to such modifications as may be prescribed by the regulations, of any provisions made by or under any enactment relating to the pensions payable to or in respect of members of police forces.

[F3 (2A) Without prejudice to the powers conferred by this section, regulations under this section shall—

(a) establish, or

(b) make provision for the establishment of,

procedures for the taking of disciplinary proceedings in respect of the conduct, efficiency and effectiveness of special constables, including procedures for cases in which such persons may be dealt with by dismissal.]

(3) If regulations under this section provide for the calculation of any pension payable to or in respect of special constables by reference to a scale of notional remuneration specified in the regulations, regulations under this section increasing any such notional remuneration may be made with retrospective effect to any date specified in the regulations.

[F4 (3A) In relation to any matter as to which provision may be made by regulations under this section, the regulations may—

(a) authorise or require provision to be made by, or confer discretionary powers on, the Secretary of State, [F5 local policing bodies], chief officers of police or other persons, or

(b) authorise or require the delegation by any person of functions conferred on that person by or under the regulations.]

(4) Subsections (7) and (8) of section 50 shall apply to regulations under this section.

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 51(2)(ba) inserted (1.10.2002) by Police Reform Act 2002 (c. 30), ss. 35, 108(2)-(5); S.I. 2002/2306, art. 2(c)(ii)

F2 Words in s. 51(2)(ba) inserted (3.11.2008 for specified purposes, 1.12.2008 in so far as not already in force) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), s. 153(7), Sch. 22 para. 4(2); S.I. 2008/2712, art. 2, Sch. para. 16(b) (with art. 4); S.I. 2008/2993, art. 2(1)(h)(i) (with art. 3)

F3 S. 51(2A) inserted (3.11.2008 for specified purposes, 1.12.2008 in so far as not already in force) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), s. 153(7), Sch. 22 para. 4(3); S.I. 2008/2712, art. 2, Sch. para. 16(b) (with art. 4); S.I. 2008/2993, art. 2(1)(h)(i) (with art. 3)

F4 S. 51(3A) inserted (25.6.1997) by 1997 c. 50, s. 128(1); S.I. 1997/1377, art. 2(2)(h)

F5 Words in s. 51(3A)(a) substituted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 33; S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1