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- Original (As enacted)
Version Superseded: 31/07/2017
Point in time view as at 28/07/2014.
Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998, Part VIII is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 08 September 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
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(1)Any person who assaults, resists, obstructs or impedes a constable in the execution of his duty, or a person assisting a constable in the execution of his duty, shall be guilty of an offence.
[F1(1A)Any person who assaults, resists, obstructs or impedes a designated person in the execution of his duty, or a person assisting a designated person in the execution of his duty, shall be guilty of an offence.]
(2)A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1)[F2or (1A)] shall be liable—
(a)on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or to both;
(b)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to a fine, or to both.
F3(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[F4(3A)In subsection (1A) the references to the execution of the duty of a designated person are to—
(a)the exercise of a power conferred on him by his designation;
(b)the performance of a duty imposed on him by his designation.
(3B) In this section “ designated person ” means a person designated under section 30[F5, 30A] or 31 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2003. ]
(4)This section also applies to a constable who is a member of a police force in Great Britain when he is executing a warrant, or otherwise acting in Northern Ireland, by virtue of any statutory provision conferring powers on him in Northern Ireland.
[F6(5)In this section references to a person assisting a constable in the execution of his duty include references to any person who is neither a constable nor in the company of a constable but who—
(a)is a member of an international joint investigation team that is led by a member of the Police Service of Northern Ireland; and
(b)is carrying out his functions as a member of that team.
(6) In this section “ international joint investigation team ” means any investigation team formed in accordance with—
(a)any framework decision on joint investigation teams adopted under Article 34 of the Treaty on European Union;
(b)the Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters between the Member States of the European Union, and the Protocol to that Convention, established in accordance with that Article of that Treaty; or
(c)any international agreement to which the United Kingdom is a party and which is specified for the purposes of this section in an order made by the [F7Department of Justice].
F8(7). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]
Textual Amendments
F1S. 66(1A) inserted (8.4.2003) by Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2003 (c. 6), s. 38(2)
F2Words in s. 66(2) inserted (8.4.2003) by Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2003 (c. 6), s. 38(3)
F3S. 66(3) repealed (1.3.2007) by The Police and Criminal Evidence (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/288 (N.I. 2)), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 33, Sch. 2
F4S. 66(3A)(3B) inserted (8.4.2003) by Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2003 (c. 6), s. 38(5)
F5Word in s. 66(3B) inserted (22.4.2007) by The Policing (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/912 (N.I. 6)), arts. 1(3), 7(10)
F6S. 66(5)-(7) inserted (1.10.2002) by 2002 c. 30, s. 104(3); S.I. 2002/2306, art. 2(f)(xiii)
F7Words in s. 66(6)(c) substituted (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), art. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 37(a) (with arts. 28-31)
F8S. 66(7) omitted (12.4.2010) by virtue of The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), art. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 37(b) (with arts. 28-31)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 66 modified (26.4.2004) by Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003 (c. 32), ss. 84(3), 94(1); S.I. 2004/786, art. 3(1)(2)
(1)Any person who with intent to deceive impersonates a member of the police force, or makes any statement or does any act calculated falsely to suggest that he is such a member, shall be guilty of an offence.
[F9(1A)Any person who, with intent to deceive—
(a)impersonates a designated person; or
(b)makes any statement or does any act calculated falsely to suggest that he is a designated person; or
(c)makes any statement or does any act calculated falsely to suggest that he has powers as a designated person that exceed the powers he actually has,
shall be guilty of an offence.]
(2)Any person who, not being a constable, wears any article of police uniform in circumstances where it gives him an appearance so nearly resembling that of a member of the police force as to be calculated to deceive shall be guilty of an offence.
(3)A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1)[F10, (1A)] or (2) shall be liable—
(a)on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or to both;
(b)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to a fine, or to both.
(4)Any person who, not being a member of the police force, has in his possession any article of police uniform shall, unless he proves that he obtained possession of that article lawfully and has possession of it for a lawful purpose, be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.
(5)In this section “article of police uniform” means any article of uniform or any distinctive badge or mark or document of identification usually issued to members of the police force or anything having the appearance of such an article, badge, mark or document.
[F11(6) In this section “ designated person ” means a person designated under section 30[F12, 30A] or 31 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2003. ]
Textual Amendments
F9S. 67(1A) inserted (8.4.2003) by Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2003 (c. 6), s. 39(2)
F10Word in s. 67(3) inserted (8.4.2003) by Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2003 (c. 6), s. 39(3)
F11S. 67(6) inserted (8.4.2003) by Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2003 (c. 6), s. 39(4)
F12Word in s. 67(6) inserted (22.4.2007) by The Policing (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/912), arts. 1(3), 7(10)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C2S. 67 applied (30.3.2001) by 2000 c. 32, s. 41(1)(a)(iv); S.R. 2001/132, art. 2, Sch.
(1)Any person who—
(a)causes, or does any act calculated to cause, disaffection among the members of the police force; or
(b)induces, or does any act calculated to induce, any member of the police force to withhold his services,
shall be guilty of an offence.
(2)A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) shall be liable—
(a)on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or to both;
(b)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to a fine, or to both.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C3S. 68 applied (30.3.2001) by 2000 c. 32, s. 41(1)(a)(v); S.R. 2001/132, art. 2, Sch.
Any person who obtains for himself or any other person any pension or gratuity under regulations made under section 25 or 26 by maiming or injuring himself, or causing himself to be maimed or injured, or otherwise producing injury or infirmity shall be guilty of an offence and liable—
(a)on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or to both;
(b)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to a fine, or to both.
Textual Amendments
F13S. 70 repealed (4.11.2001) by 2000 c. 32, s. 78(4), Sch. 8; S.R. 2001/396, art. 2, Sch.
There shall be defrayed out of money provided by Parliament—
(a)any expenses of the Secretary of State under this Act; and
(b)any increase attributable to this Act in the sums so payable under any other statutory provision.
(1)Any power of [F14the Department of Justice or] the Secretary of State to make orders or regulations under this Act shall be exercisable by statutory rule for the purposes of the M1Statutory Rules (Northern Ireland) Order 1979.
(2)Orders or regulations under this Act—
(a)may make different provision for different cases and circumstances;
(b)may contain such supplementary and transitional provisions as appear to [F15the Department of Justice or (as the case may be)] the Secretary of State to be appropriate.
[F16(2A)Regulations shall not be made under section 25(2)(k) or 26(2)(g) except with the consent of the [F17Department of Finance and Personnel].]
(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(4)[F18An order or regulations] made under this Act (other than F19... an order under section 75)
[F20(a)if made by the Department of Justice, shall be subject to negative resolution (within the meaning of section 41(6) of the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954);
(b)if made by the Secretary of State, shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament in like manner as a statutory instrument and section 5 of the Statutory Instruments Act 1946 shall apply accordingly.]
Textual Amendments
F14Words in s. 72(1) inserted (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), art. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 38(2) (with arts. 28-31)
F15Words in s. 72(2) inserted (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), art. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 38(3) (with arts. 28-31)
F16S. 72(2A) inserted (22.12.2000) by 2000 c. 32, s. 78(1), Sch. 6 para. 23(6)(a); S.R. 2000/412, art. 2, Sch.
F17Words in s. 72(2A) substituted (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), art. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 38(4) (with arts. 28-31)
F18Words in s. 72(4) substituted (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), art. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 38(5)(a) (with arts. 28-31)
F19Words in s. 72(4) omitted (12.4.2010) by virtue of The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), art. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 38(5)(b) (with arts. 28-31)
F20Words in s. 72(4) substituted (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), art. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 38(5)(c) (with arts. 28-31)
Marginal Citations
M11979 NI 12.
(1)This Act shall be construed as one with the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000; and accordingly any word or expression to which a meaning is given by section 77 of that Act has the same meaning in this Act as in that Act.
(2)References in this Act to a member of the police force are to be construed as references to a police officer.
(3)References in this Act in any other context to the police force are to be construed as references to the police.
(4) In this Act “ a police force in Great Britain ” means a police force within the meaning of the M2 Police Act 1996 or the [F22Police Service of Scotland (and references to the chief officer of a police force in Great Britain include the chief constable of that Service)] . ]
Textual Amendments
F21S. 73 substituted (4.11.2001) by 2000 c. 32, s. 78(1), Sch. 6 para. 23(6)(b); S.R. 2001/396, art. 2, Sch.
F22Words in s. 73(4) 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. 29(2)
Marginal Citations
(1)The statutory provisions mentioned in Schedule 4 shall be amended as provided in that Schedule.
(2)Schedule 5 (which contains transitional provisions and savings) shall have effect.
(3)The statutory provisions mentioned in Schedule 6 are repealed to the extent specified in the third column of that Schedule.
(4)In the M3Northern Ireland (Modification of Enactments – No. 1) Order 1973 the following provisions are revoked, namely—
(a)Article 6(5) and (6)(c);
(b)in Schedule 1, the entries relating to—
the M4Constabulary (Ireland) Act 1836;
the M5Police (Property) Act 1897;
the M6Constabulary and Police (Ireland) Act 1919;
the M7Police Act 1969;
the M8Constabulary Act Northern Ireland) 1922;
the M9Police Act Northern Ireland) 1970;
(c)in Schedule 4, the entry relating to the M10Police Act Northern Ireland) 1970; and
(d)in Schedule 5, paragraphs 11, 21 and 61.
Commencement Information
I1S. 74 partly in force; s. 74 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 75(1), s. 74(1) in force and 74(3) in force for certain purposes at 8.10.1998 by S.R. 1998/346, art. 3; s. 74(1)(2)(3) in force for certain purposes at 9.2.1999 by S.R. 1999/48, art. 3 (with art. 4); s. 74(4) in force and (1)(2)(3) in force for certain purposes at 1.4.1999 by S.R. 1999/176, art. 3 (with art. 4)
Marginal Citations
(1)This Act shall come into operation on such day as the Secretary of State may by order appoint.
(2)An order under this section may appoint different days for different purposes and for different provisions.
Subordinate Legislation Made
P1S. 75(1) power partly exercised (5.10.1998): 8.10.1998 appointed for specified provisions by S.R. 1998/346, art. 3 (with art. 4)
S. 75(1) power partly exercised (8.2.1999): 9.2.1999 appointed for specified provisions by S.R. 1999/48, art. 3 (with art. 4)
S. 75(1) power partly exercised (30.3.1999): 1.4.1999 appointed for specified provisions by S.R. 1999/176, art. 3 (with art. 4)
S. 75(1) power partly exercised (2.11.2000): 6.11.2000 appointed for specified provisions by S.R. 2000/399, art. 3 (with transitional provisions in arts. 4, 5)
(1)Except as provided by subsections (2) and (3), this Act extends to Northern Ireland only.
(2)Paragraph 8 of Schedule 3 extends throughout the United Kingdom.
(3)The amendment or repeal by this Act of any provision of—
(a)the M11Police (Overseas Service) Act 1945;
(b)the M12Police (Scotland) Act 1967;
(c)the M13House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975;
(d)the M14Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975;
(e)the M15Ministry of Defence Police Act 1987;
(f)the M16Official Secrets Act 1989;
(g)the M17Police Act 1996;
(h)the M18Police Act 1997,
has the same extent as that provision.
Commencement Information
I2S. 76 partly in force; s. 76 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 75(1); s. 76(1) in force at 8.10.1998 by S.R. 1998/346, art. 3; s. 76(3) in force at 1.4.1999 by S.R. 1999/176, art. 3 (with art. 4)
I3S. 76(2) in force at 21.2.2003 by S.R. 2003/142, art. 3
Marginal Citations
This Act may be cited as the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998.
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