Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998

50 Interpretation of this Part

(1) In this Part—

• “the appropriate disciplinary authority” means—

  (a)

  in relation to a senior officer, the Police Authority; and

  (b)

  in relation to any other member of the police force, the Chief Constable;

• “complaint” shall be construed in accordance with section 52(8);

• “complainant” means the person by, or on behalf of whom, a complaint is made;

• “disciplinary proceedings” means—

  (a)

  in relation to a member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, proceedings identified as such by regulations under section 25;

  (b)

  in relation to a reserve constable, proceedings identified as such by regulations under section 26;

• “officer of the Ombudsman” means—

  (a)

  a person employed by the Ombudsman under paragraph 3(1) of Schedule 3;

  (b)

  a person providing assistance to the Ombudsman in pursuance of arrangements made under paragraph 3(2) of Schedule 3;

  (c)

  a member of the police force on temporary service with the Ombudsman in accordance with arrangements under paragraph 5 of Schedule 3;

  (d)

  a member of the police force providing assistance to the Ombudsman under paragraph 6 of Schedule 3;

  (e)

  a member of a police force in Great Britain on temporary service with the Ombudsman in accordance with arrangements under paragraph 8 of Schedule 3;

• “the Ombudsman” means the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland;

• “police officer” means a member of—

  (a)

  the police force; or

  (b)

  a police force in Great Britain;

• “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations under section 64;

• “serious complaint” means a complaint—

  (a)

  alleging that the conduct complained of resulted in the death of, or serious injury to, some person; or

  (b)

  of such other description as may be prescribed;

• “serious injury” means a fracture, damage to an internal organ or impairment of bodily function.

(2) Where a complaint is made orally, references in this Part to a complaint being referred to a body or person shall be read as references to particulars of the complaint being so referred.