(1)The Board may if requested to do so by the Chief Constable authorise the appointment to the rank of constable in the Police Service of Northern Ireland of a specified number of persons—
(a)who have a specified policing skill, but
(b)who have not complied with the requirements in paragraphs (a) and (b) of section 36(3).
(2)The Board shall not give an authorisation under subsection (1) in relation to persons who have a particular policing skill unless it is satisfied—
(a)that the requirements of subsection (3) are met;
(b)that any further requirements which are specified by it under subsection (4) and which apply in relation to the giving of the authorisation are met.
(3)The requirements are—
(a)that there is a need for more persons who have the policing skill to be appointed to the rank of constable in the Police Service of Northern Ireland;
(b)that the need cannot be met by the appointment of persons who have complied with the requirements in paragraphs (a) and (b) of section 36(3).
(4)The Board may specify further requirements which apply in relation to the giving of an authorisation under subsection (1).
(5)Any requirements specified under subsection (4) may apply in relation to the giving of all authorisations under subsection (1) or to the giving of aparticular authorisation or description of authorisation.
(6)In this section “specified” means specified by the Board.]
Textual Amendments
F1S. 47A inserted (8.4.2003) (temp. until 7.4.2005) by Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2003 (c. 6), s. 23(3)