Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998
Part I
1 The Police Authority for Northern Ireland.
2 General functions of the Police Authority.
3 Staff of the Police Authority.
4 Power to transfer staff to employment of Police Authority.
5 Provision and maintenance of buildings and equipment.
6 Acquisition and disposal of land by Police Authority.
7 Arrangements for obtaining the views of the public on policing.
8 Provision of advice and assistance to international organisations, etc.
9 Grants to, and borrowing by, the Police Authority.
10 Funding of Police Authority – ancillary provisions.
11 Charges for special services.
12 Accounts and audit.
13 Rewards for diligence.
Part II
14 Setting of policing objectives by Secretary of State.
15 Setting of policing objectives and performance targets by Police Authority.
16 The Chief Constable’s strategic policing plan.
17 The Police Authority’s annual policing plan.
Part III The police force
18 The police force
19 The police force
20 The police force
21 The police force
22 The police force
23 The police force
24 The police force
25 Regulations for RUC.
25ARegulations about hours, leave, pay or equipment: consultation etc
26 Regulations for RUC Reserve.
27 Members of RUC engaged on other police service.
28 The RUC Fund.
29 Liability for wrongful acts of constables.
30 Protection of members of the police force in executing warrants.
31 Property coming into the possession of the police.
Part IV Police representative institutions
32 Police Association for Northern Ireland.
33 Regulations for Police Association.
34 The Police Negotiating Board for the United Kingdom.
35 Membership of trade unions.
Part V Functions of Secretary of State and Department of Justice
36 Functions of Secretary of Stateand Department of Justice
37 Functions of Secretary of Stateand Department of Justice
38 Functions of Secretary of Stateand Department of Justice
39 Functions of Secretary of Stateand Department of Justice
40 Power to require use by police of specified facilities, equipment or services.
41 Appointment of inspectors of constabulary.
41APowers of Secretary of State in relation to reports and other duties of inspectors of constabulary
42 Publication of reports of inspectors of constabulary.
43 Criminal statistics.
44 Inquiries.
45 Research and advice.
46 Expenditure by Department of Justice for police purposes.
Part VI
47 Annual and other reports by Police Authority to Secretary of State.
48 Annual and other reports by Chief Constable to Police Authority.
49 Reports by Chief Constable to Secretary of State.
Part VIIPolice complaints and disciplinary proceedings
50Interpretation of this Part.
50AComplaints relating to conduct forming part of the Troubles
51The Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland.
52Complaints – receipt and initial classification of complaints.
53Complaints – informal resolution.
54Complaints – formal investigation.
55Consideration of other matters by the Ombudsman.
56Formal investigation by the Ombudsman.
57Formal investigation by a police officer.
58Steps to be taken after investigation – criminal proceedings.
58ASteps to be taken after investigation – mediation.
59Steps to be taken after investigation – disciplinary proceedings.
60Constabularies not maintained by Board.
60ZAThe National Crime Agency
60ZBImmigration and customs enforcement functions
60ZCSection 60ZB: supplementary
60ZDThe Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery
60AInvestigations into current police practices and policies
61Reports.
61AReports to Chief Constable and Board.
61AASupply of information by Ombudsman to Board.
62Statements by Ombudsman about exercise of his functions.
63Restriction on disclosure of information.
64Regulations.
64ASecretary of State’s power to make regulations
65Guidance concerning discipline, complaints, etc.
Part VIII Miscellaneous and general
Offences
66 Assaults on, and obstruction of, constables, etc.
67 Impersonation, etc.
68 Causing disaffection.
69 Obtaining pension by self-inflicted injury, etc.
Traffic wardens
70 Traffic wardens.
Supplementary
71 Expenses of Secretary of State.
72 Orders and regulations.
73 Interpretation.
74 Amendments, transitional provisions, repeals, etc.
75 Commencement.
76 Extent.
77 Short title.
SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE 1
Status
1The Police Authority shall not be regarded as the servant...
Constitution
2(1) The Police Authority shall consist of—
Term of office
3(1) Subject to the following provisions of this paragraph, a...
Remuneration and allowances
4The Police Authority may pay— (a) to the chairman and...
Procedure
5(1) The quorum for a meeting of the Police Authority...
Validity of proceedings
6The validity of any proceedings of the Police Authority or...
Seal
7The application of the seal of the Police Authority shall...
Contracts, etc.
8(1) Any contract or instrument which, if entered into or...
Evidence
9A document purporting to be— (a) duly executed under the...
Disclosure of pecuniary interests, family connections, etc.
10Sections 28 to 33, 42, 46, 47 and 146 of...
Committees
11(1) The Police Authority may— (a) constitute committees of such...
SCHEDULE 2
SCHEDULE 3 The Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland
The Ombudsman
1(1) The Ombudsman shall be appointed by Her Majesty on...
Remuneration, pensions, allowances, etc.
2(1) The Department of Justice may pay, or make such...
Staff
3(1) The Ombudsman may, with the approval of the Department...
4The Employers’ Liability (Defective Equipment and Compulsory Insurance) (Northern Ireland)...
Assistance by members of the police force
5(1) The Ombudsman and the Chief Constable may enter into...
6(1) The Chief Constable may, on the application of the...
7(1) In this paragraph “relevant service” means—
Assistance by members of a police force in Great Britain
8(1) The Ombudsman may enter into arrangements with the chief...
Exercise of functions
9Any functions of the Ombudsman under this Act may be...
Evidence
10A document purporting to be duly signed by, or on...
Finance
11The Department of Justice shall pay to the Ombudsman such...
12(1) The Ombudsman shall— (a) keep proper accounts and proper...
Property
13(1) The Ombudsman may, for the purposes of his functions...
SCHEDULE 4 Amendments
The Incitement to Disaffection Act 1934 (c. 56)
1In section 2(4) of the Incitement to Disaffection Act 1934...
The Police (Overseas Service) Act 1945 (c. 17)
2The Police (Overseas Service) Act 1945 shall extend to Northern...
The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 (c. 33 (N.I.))
3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Police (Scotland) Act 1967 (c. 77)
4(1) The Police (Scotland) Act 1967 shall be amended as...
The Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972 (c. 9 (N.I.))
5In section 93(3) of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland)...
The Superannuation (Northern Ireland) Order 1972 (NI 10)
6In Article 15 of the Superannuation (Northern Ireland) Order 1972...
The Overseas Pensions Act 1973 (c. 21)
7In section 2(2)(d) of the Overseas Pensions Act 1973 after...
The House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 24)
8In Part III of Schedule 1 to the House of...
The Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 25)
9In Part III of Schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland...
The Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1976 (c. 25)
10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Animals (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 (NI 13)
11In Article 10(9) of the Animals (Northern Ireland) Order 1976...
The Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 (NI 15)
12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Criminal Damage (Northern Ireland) Order 1977 (NI 4)
13In Article 8(3) of the Criminal Damage (Northern Ireland) Order...
The Customs and Excise Act 1979 (c. 2)
14In section 139(4)(c) of the Customs and Excise Act 1979...
The Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (NI 2)
15In Schedule 1 to the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 1981...
The Ministry of Defence Police Act 1987 (c. 4)
16In section 1(2)(c) of the Ministry of Defence Police Act...
The Official Secrets Act 1989 (c. 6)
17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (NI 12)
18(1) The Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989...
The Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 1994 (NI 15)
19In Article 12(3) of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order...
The Police Act 1996 (c. 16)
20(1) The Police Act 1996 shall be amended as follows....
The Juries (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (NI 6)
21In Schedule 2 to the Juries (Northern Ireland) Order 1996...
The Police Act 1997 (c. 50)
22(1) The Police Act 1997 shall be amended as follows....
The Road Traffic Regulation (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 (NI 2)
23In Article 44(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation (Northern Ireland)...
The Race Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 (NI 6)
24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Police (Health and Safety)(Northern Ireland) Order 1997 (NI 16)
25. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SCHEDULE 5 Transitional provisions and savings
Part I General
Saving for pensions, etc. under repealed provisions
1Where any statutory provision relating to or affecting pensions or...
Statutory references to Royal Irish Constabulary, etc.
2Any reference in any statutory provision passed or made before...
Power to make other transitional or saving provisions
3The Secretary of State may by order make such other...
Part II The Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland
Interpretation
4In this Part— “the Commission” means the Independent Commission for...
Transfer of property, rights and liabilities of Commission
5(1) On the transfer date all property, rights and liabilities...
Transfer of staff
6(1) Subject to sub-paragraphs (5) and (6), this paragraph applies...
Legal proceedings
7Any legal proceedings by or against the Commission which are...
Payments to former members of the Commission
8Where a person— (a) ceases to be a member of...
Information received by Commission
9(1) No information received by the Commission in connection with...
Financial year
10The first financial year of the Ombudsman shall be the...
Stamp duty
11Stamp duty shall not be chargeable in respect of any...
SCHEDULE 6 Repeals

Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998

1998 c. 32

An Act to make provision about policing in Northern Ireland; and for connected purposes.

E1C1Be 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:—

Annotations:
Extent Information
E1

Act extends to Northern Ireland only, but for exceptions see s. 76(1)(2)(3).

Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1

Act: transfer of certain functions (4.11.2001) by 2000 c. 32, s. 2, Sch. 2 para. 2; S.R. 2001/396, art. 2, Sch.