Police Act 1997 (c. 50)

Part V Certificates of Criminal Records, &c.

126 Interpretation of Part V

(1) In this Part—

• “caution” means a caution given to a person in England and Wales or Northern Ireland in respect of an offence which, at the time when the caution is given, he has admitted;

• “certificate” means any one or more documents issued in response to a particular application;

• “chief officer” means—

  (i)

  a chief officer of police of a police force in England and Wales,

  (ii)

  a chief constable of a police force in Scotland, and

  (iii)

  the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary;

• “government department” includes a Northern Ireland department;

• “Minister of the Crown” includes a Northern Ireland department;

• “police authority” means—

  (i)

  a police authority for an area in Great Britain or a joint police board (within the meaning of the [1967 c. 77.] Police (Scotland) Act 1967), and

  (ii)

  the Police Authority for Northern Ireland;

• “police force” means—

  (i)

  a police force in Great Britain, and

  (ii)

  the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve;

• “prescribed” shall be construed in accordance with section 125(1).

(2) In the application of this Part to Northern Ireland, a reference to the [1974 c. 53.] Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, or to a provision of that Act, shall be construed as a reference to the [S.I. 1978/1908 (N.I. 27).] Rehabilitation of Offenders (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 or, as the case may be, to the corresponding provision of that order.