Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000

Part II Membership during suspension of devolved government

Constitution

3 (1) The Board shall consist of not less than 14 nor more than 19 members appointed by the Secretary of State.

(2) The Secretary of State may by order amend either or both of the numbers for the time being specified in sub-paragraph (1).

(3) The Secretary of State shall so exercise his powers of appointment under this paragraph as to secure that as far as is practicable the membership of the Board is representative of the community in Northern Ireland.

(4) Before making any appointment under this paragraph, the Secretary of State shall consult—

(a) district councils; and

(b) such other bodies as he considers appropriate.

(5) The Secretary of State shall publish, in such manner as he considers appropriate, the names of bodies consulted by him under sub-paragraph (4)(b).

(6) Sub-paragraphs (4) and (5) do not apply to the first appointment of members of the Board under this Part following the making by the Secretary of State of an order revoking a restoration order under section 2(2) of the Northern Ireland Act 2000.

(7) A person is disqualified for membership of the Board if—

(a) he holds the office of Ombudsman, or

(b) he is—

(i) a member of the police support staff;

(ii) a police officer; or

(iii) a member of a district policing partnership.

(8) There shall be a chairman and a vice-chairman of the Board.

(9) The first chairman and vice-chairman of the Board under this Part shall be appointed by the Secretary of State.

(10) Subsequent appointments to the office of chairman and vice-chairman shall be made by the Board from among its members.

Term of office

4 (1) Subject to the following provisions of this paragraph, a person shall hold and vacate office as a member or as chairman or vice-chairman of the Board in accordance with the terms of his appointment.

(2) The chairman, vice-chairman and other members of the Board may not be appointed for a term of more than 4 years at a time, and a person appointed to fill a casual vacancy shall hold office for the remainder of the term of the person in whose place he is appointed.

(3) A person may at any time resign as a member or as chairman or vice-chairman of the Board by notice in writing to the Secretary of State.

(4) A person shall cease to hold office as a member or as chairman or vice-chairman if he becomes disqualified for membership of the Board.

(5) The Secretary of State may remove a person from office as a member or as chairman or vice-chairman of the Board if satisfied that—

(a) before his appointment he failed to disclose to the Secretary of State his conviction of a criminal offence in Northern Ireland or elsewhere;

(b) he has been convicted of a criminal offence committed after the date of his appointment;

(c) he has become bankrupt or made a composition or arrangement with his creditors;

(d) he is not committed to non-violence and exclusively peaceful and democratic means;

(e) he has failed to comply with the terms of his appointment; or

(f) he is otherwise unable or unfit to discharge his functions.

(6) A member of the Board whose term of office expires or who has resigned shall be eligible for re-appointment.

Remuneration and allowances of members

5 (1) The Board may pay to the chairman, vice-chairman and other members of the Board such remuneration and allowances as the Secretary of State may determine.

(2) If a person ceases to be a member of the Board otherwise than on the expiry of his term of office and it appears to the Secretary of State that there are special circumstances which make it right for that person to receive compensation, the Secretary of State may direct the Board to make to the person a payment of such amount as the Secretary of State may determine.