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Police Reform Act 2002

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  1. Introductory Text

  2. Part 1 Powers of the Secretary of State

    1. 1. National Policing Plan

    2. 2. Codes of practice for chief officers

    3. 3. Powers to require inspection and report

    4. 4. Directions to police authorities

    5. 5. Directions as to action plans

    6. 6. Regulation of equipment

    7. 7. Regulation of procedures and practices

    8. 8. Equivalent provision for NCIS and NCS

  3. Part 2 Complaints and Misconduct

    1. The Independent Police Complaints Commission

      1. 9. The Independent Police Complaints Commission

      2. 10. General functions of the Commission

      3. 11. Reports to the Secretary of State

    2. Application of Part 2

      1. 12. Complaints, matters and persons to which Part 2 applies

    3. Handling of complaints and conduct matters etc.

      1. 13. Handling of complaints and conduct matters etc.

      2. 14. Direction and control matters

    4. Co-operation, assistance and information

      1. 15. General duties of police authorities, chief officers and inspectors

      2. 16. Payment for assistance with investigations

      3. 16A.Investigations: National Policing Improvement Agency involvement

      4. 17. Provision of information to the Commission

      5. 18. Inspections of police premises on behalf of the Commission

      6. 19. Use of investigatory powers by or on behalf of the Commission

      7. 20. Duty to keep the complainant informed

      8. 21. Duty to provide information for other persons

    5. Guidance and regulations

      1. 22. Power of the Commission to issue guidance

      2. 23. Regulations

      3. 24. Consultation on regulations

    6. Conduct of persons in other forms of police service

      1. 25. NCIS and NCS

      2. 26. Forces maintained otherwise than by police authorities

      3. 26A.Serious Organised Crime Agency

      4. 26B.National Policing Improvement Agency

      5. 27. Conduct of the Commission’s staff

    7. Transitional provisions

      1. 28. Transitional arrangements connected with establishing the Commission etc.

    8. Interpretation of Part 2

      1. 29. Interpretation of Part 2

  4. Part 3 Removal, suspension and disciplining of police officers

    1. Removal and suspension of senior officers

      1. 30. Resignation in the interests of efficiency and effectiveness

      2. 31. Procedural requirements for removal of senior officers

      3. 32. Suspension of senior officers

      4. 33. Removal etc. of senior officers at the instance of the Secretary of State

      5. 34. Regulations concerning procedure for removal of senior officers

    2. Disciplinary proceedings and protected disclosures

      1. 35. Disciplinary regulations for special constables

      2. 36. Conduct of disciplinary proceedings

      3. 37. Protected disclosures by police officers

  5. Part 4 Police powers etc.

    1. Chapter 1 Exercise of police powers etc. by civilians

      1. 38. Police powers for police authority employees

      2. 38A.Standard powers and duties of community support officers

      3. 39. Police powers for contracted-out staff

      4. 40. Community safety accreditation schemes

      5. 41. Accreditation under community safety accreditation schemes

      6. 41A.Accreditation of weights and measures inspectors

      7. 41B.Power to apply accreditation provisions

      8. 42. Supplementary provisions relating to designations and accreditations

      9. 43. Railway safety accreditation scheme

      10. 44. Removal of restriction on powers conferred on traffic wardens

      11. 45. Code of practice relating to chief officers’ powers under Chapter 1

      12. 46. Offences against designated and accredited persons etc.

      13. 47. Interpretation of Chapter 1

    2. Chapter 2 Provisions modifying and supplementing police powers

      1. Powers of arrest

        1. 48. Offences for which a person may be arrested without a warrant

        2. 49. Power of arrest in relation to failure to stop a vehicle

      2. Power to require name and address

        1. 50. Persons acting in an anti-social manner

      3. Persons in police detention

        1. 51. Independent custody visitors for places of detention

        2. 52. Detention reviews for detained persons who are asleep

        3. 53. Persons suspected of offences connected with transport systems

      4. Blood specimens

        1. 54. Persons authorised to take intimate samples from persons in police detention

        2. 55. Extension of role of health care professionals

        3. 56. Specimens taken from persons incapable of consenting

        4. 57. Use of specimens taken from persons incapable of consenting

        5. 58.Equivalent provision for offences connected with transport systems

      5. Seizure of motor vehicles

        1. 59.Vehicles used in manner causing alarm, distress or annoyance

        2. 60. Retention etc. of vehicles seized under section 59

      6. Anti-social behaviour

        1. 61. Anti-social behaviour orders

        2. 62. Power of Secretary of State to add to relevant authorities

        3. 63. Orders in county court proceedings

        4. 64. Orders on conviction in criminal proceedings

        5. 65. Interim orders

        6. 66. Consultation requirements

      7. Sex offenders

        1. 67. Sex offenders: England and Wales

        2. 68. Interim orders for sex offenders: England and Wales

        3. 69. Sex offender orders made in Scotland or Northern Ireland

        4. 70. Sex offenders: Scotland

        5. 71. Sex offender orders made in England and Wales or Northern Ireland

        6. 72. Sex offenders: Northern Ireland

        7. 73. Interim orders for sex offenders: Northern Ireland

        8. 74. Sex offender orders made in England and Wales or Scotland

      8. The British Transport Police

        1. 75. Removal of truants to designated places

        2. 76. Amendments to Part 3 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988

      9. Property in possession of NCS

        1. 77. Application of the Police (Property) Act 1897 to NCS

  6. Part 5 The Ministry of Defence Police

    1. 78. Ministry of Defence police serving with other forces

    2. 79. Disciplinary matters

    3. 80. Functions of inspectors of constabulary

    4. 81. Exemptions from firearms legislation

  7. Part 6 Miscellaneous

    1. Appointment and attestation of police officers etc.

      1. 82. Nationality requirements applicable to police officers etc.

      2. 83. Attestation of constables

      3. 84. Delegation of functions in relation to senior appointments

      4. 85. Director General of NCIS

      5. 86. Police members of NCIS

      6. 87. Police members of NCS

      7. 88. Regulations for NCIS

      8. 89. Regulations for NCS

      9. 90. Supplementary provisions about police membership of NCIS

      10. 91. Supplementary provisions about police membership of NCS

    2. Bodies with functions in relation to the police

      1. 92. Police authorities to produce three-year strategy plans

      2. 93. Quorum for the Service Authorities under the 1997 Act

      3. 94. Expenses of members of police authorities etc.

      4. 95. Duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

      5. 96. President of ACPO

      6. 97. Crime and disorder reduction partnerships

      7. 98. Secretary of State’s functions in relation to strategies

      8. 99. Power to modify functions and structure of PITO

      9. 100. Metropolitan Police Authority housing

      10. 101. Provision of goods and services by police authorities

    3. Liability for unlawful acts of constables etc.

      1. 102. Liability for wrongful acts of constables etc.

    4. International joint investigation teams

      1. 103. Liability in respect of members of teams

      2. 104. Assaults on members of teams

  8. Part 7 Supplemental

    1. 105. Powers of Secretary of State to make orders and regulations

    2. 106. General interpretation

    3. 107. Consequential amendments and repeals

    4. 108. Short title, commencement and extent

  9. SCHEDULES

    1. SCHEDULE 1

      Powers of the Secretary of State in relation to NCIS and NCS

      1. 1.Introductory

      2. 2.Codes of Practice for Directors General

      3. 3.Directions to Service Authorities

      4. 4.Directions as to action plans

      5. 5.Procedure for giving directions

      6. 6.National Crime Squad equipment

      7. 7.Procedures and practices of the National Crime Squad

    2. SCHEDULE 2

      The Independent Police Complaints Commission

      1. 1.Chairman

      2. 2.Ordinary members of the Commission

      3. 3.Deputy Chairmen

      4. 4.Remuneration, pensions etc. of members

      5. 5.The Chief Executive

      6. 6.Staff

      7. 7.Superannuation and insurance

      8. 8.Liability for acts of seconded staff

      9. 9.Power of Commission to set up regional offices

      10. 10.Proceedings

      11. 11.The validity of any proceedings of the Commission or of...

      12. 12.Authentication of the Commission’s seal

      13. 13.Evidence of documents

      14. 14.Payments by the Secretary of State

      15. 15.Other receipts by the Commission

      16. 16.Borrowing

      17. 17.Accounts

      18. 18.Financial year of the Commission

    3. SCHEDULE 3

      Handling of Complaints and Conduct matters etc.

      1. Part 1 Handling of complaints

        1. 1.Duties to preserve evidence relating to complaints

        2. 2.Initial handling and recording of complaints

        3. 3.Failures to notify or record a complaint

        4. 4.Reference of complaints to the Commission

        5. 5.Duties of Commission on references under paragraph 4

        6. 6.Handling of complaints by the appropriate authority

        7. 7.Dispensation by the Commission from requirements of Schedule

        8. 8.Local resolution of complaints

        9. 9.Appeals relating to local resolution

      2. Part 2 Handling of conduct matters

        1. 10.Conduct matters arising in civil proceedings

        2. 11.Recording etc. of conduct matters in other cases

        3. 12.Duties to preserve evidence relating to conduct matters

        4. 13.Reference of conduct matters to the Commission

        5. 14.Duties of Commission on references under paragraph 13

      3. Part 2A handling of death and serious injury (DSI) matters

        1. 14A.Duty to record DSI matters

        2. 14B.Duty to preserve evidence relating to DSI matters

        3. 14C.Reference of DSI matters to the Commission

        4. 14D.Duties of Commission on references under paragraph 14C

      4. Part 3 Investigations and subsequent proceedings

        1. 15.Power of the Commission to determine the form of an investigation

        2. 16.Investigations by the appropriate authority on its own behalf

        3. 17.Investigations supervised by the Commission

        4. 18.Investigations managed by the Commission

        5. 19.Investigations by the Commission itself

        6. 19A.Special procedure where investigation relates to police officer or special constable

        7. 19B.Assessment of seriousness of conduct under investigation

        8. 19C.Duty to consider submissions from person whose conduct is being investigated

        9. 19D.Interview of person whose conduct is being investigated

        10. 19E.Duty to provide certain information to appropriate authority

        11. 20.Restrictions on proceedings pending the conclusion of an investigation

        12. 20A.Accelerated procedure in special cases

        13. 20B.Investigations managed or carried out by Commission: action by appropriate authority

        14. 20C.Investigations managed or carried out by Commission: action by Commission

        15. 20D.Investigations managed or carried out by Commission: action by Commission

        16. 20E.Other investigations: action by appropriate authority

        17. 20F.Other investigations: action by appropriate authority

        18. 20G.Special cases: Director of Public Prosecutions

        19. 20H.Special cases: recommendation or direction of Commission

        20. 20I.Special cases: recommendation or direction of Commission

        21. 21.Power of the Commission to discontinue an investigation

        22. 21A.Procedure where conduct matter is revealed during investigation of DSI matter

        23. 22.Final reports on investigations

        24. 23.Action by the Commission in response to an investigation report

        25. 24.Action by the appropriate authority in response to an investigation report

        26. 24A.Final reports on investigations: other DSI matters

        27. 24B.Action by the Commission in response to an investigation report under paragraph 24A

        28. 24C.(1) If the Commission determines under paragraph 24A(4) that there...

        29. 25.Appeals to the Commission with respect to an investigation

        30. 26.Reviews and re-investigations following an appeal

        31. 27.Duties with respect to disciplinary proceedings

        32. 28.Information for complainant about disciplinary recommendations

        33. 29.Minor definitions

    4. SCHEDULE 4

      Powers exercisable by police civilians

      1. Part 1 Community Support Officers

        1. 1.Powers to issue fixed penalty notices

        2. 1ZA.(1) This paragraph applies if a designation applies it to...

        3. 1A.Power to require name and address

        4. 2.Power to detain etc.

        5. 2A.Powers to search individuals and to seize and retain items

        6. 3.Power to require name and address of person acting in an anti-social manner

        7. 3A.Power to require name and address: road traffic offences

        8. 4.Power to use reasonable force to detain person

        9. 4ZA.Where a designation applies this paragraph to any person, that...

        10. 4ZB.Where a designation applies this paragraph to any person, that...

        11. 4A.Power to disperse groups and remove young persons to their place of residence

        12. 4B.Power to disperse groups and remove young persons to their place of residence

        13. 4C.Power to remove truants to designated premises etc.

        14. 5.Alcohol consumption in designated public places

        15. 5A.Power to serve closure notice for licensed premises persistently selling to children

        16. 6.Confiscation of alcohol

        17. 7.Confiscation of tobacco etc.

        18. 7A.Search and seizure powers: alcohol and tobacco

        19. 7B.Powers to seize and detain: controlled drugs

        20. 7C.Powers to seize and detain: controlled drugs

        21. 7D.Park Trading offences

        22. 8.Entry to save life or limb or prevent serious damage to property

        23. 8A.Entry to investigate licensing offences

        24. 9.Seizure of vehicles used to cause alarm etc.

        25. 10.Abandoned vehicles

        26. 11.Power to stop vehicle for testing

        27. 11A.Power to stop cycles

        28. 11B.Power to control traffic for purposes other than escorting a load of exceptional dimensions

        29. 12.Power to control traffic for purposes of escorting a load of exceptional dimensions

        30. 13.Carrying out of road checks

        31. 13A.Power to place traffic signs

        32. 14.Cordoned areas

        33. 15.Power to stop and search vehicles etc. in authorised areas

        34. 15ZA.Photographing of persons arrested, detained or given fixed penalty notices

        35. 15A.Power to modify paragraph 1(2)(a)

      2. Part 2 Investigating Officers

        1. 16.Search warrants

        2. 16A.Where a designation applies this paragraph to any person—

        3. 16B.Where a designation applies this paragraph to any person, subsection...

        4. 17.Access to excluded and special procedure material

        5. 18.Entry and search after arrest

        6. 18A.Entry and search for evidence of nationality after arrest

        7. 19.General power of seizure

        8. 20.Access and copying in the case of things seized by constables

        9. 21.Arrest at a police station for another offence

        10. 22.Power to transfer persons into custody of investigating officers

        11. 22A.Powers in respect of detained persons

        12. 23.Power to require arrested person to account for certain matters

        13. 24.Extended powers of seizure

        14. 24A.Persons accompanying investigating officers

      3. Part 3 Detention Officers

        1. 25.Attendance at police station for fingerprinting

        2. 26.Non-intimate searches of detained persons

        3. 27.Searches and examinations to ascertain identity

        4. 27A.Searches of persons answering to live link bail

        5. 28.Intimate searches of detained persons

        6. 29.Fingerprinting without consent

        7. 30.Warnings about intimate samples

        8. 31.Non-intimate samples

        9. 32.Attendance at police station for the taking of a sample

        10. 33.Photographing persons in police detention

        11. 33A.Taking of impressions of footwear

        12. 33B.Powers in respect of detained persons

        13. 33C.Where a designation applies this paragraph to any person, he...

        14. 33D.Where a designation applies this paragraph to any person, he...

      4. Part 4 Escort Officers

        1. 34.Power to take an arrested person to a police station

        2. 35.Escort of persons in police detention

      5. Part 4A Staff custody officers

        1. 35A.Exercise of functions of custody officers

        2. 35B.Powers in respect of detained persons

        3. 35C.Where a designation applies this paragraph to any person, he...

      6. Part 5 Interpretation of Schedule

        1. 36.(1) In this Schedule “the relevant police area”—

    5. SCHEDULE 5

      Powers exercisable by accredited persons

      1. 1.Power to issue fixed penalty notices

      2. 1A.(1) This paragraph applies to an accredited person whose accreditation...

      3. 2.Power to require giving of name and address

      4. 3.Power to require name and address of person acting in an anti-social manner

      5. 3A.Power to require name and address: road traffic offences

      6. 4.Alcohol consumption in designated public places

      7. 5.Confiscation of alcohol

      8. 6.Confiscation of tobacco etc.

      9. 7.Abandoned vehicles

      10. 8.Power to stop vehicle for testing

      11. 8A.Power to stop cycles

      12. 8B.Power to control traffic for purposes other than escorting a load of exceptional dimensions

      13. 9.Power to control traffic for purposes of escorting a load of exceptional dimensions

      14. 9ZA.Photographing of persons given fixed penalty notices

      15. 9A.Power to modify paragraph 1(2)(aa)

      16. 10.Meaning of “relevant police area”

    6. SCHEDULE 5A

      Powers exercisable by accredited inspectors

      1. 1.Power to issue fixed penalty notices

      2. 2.Power to require giving of name and address

      3. 3.Photographing of persons given fixed penalty notices

      4. 4.Interpretation

    7. SCHEDULE 6

      Specific offences which are arrestable offences

    8. SCHEDULE 7

      Minor and Consequential Amendments

      1. 1.Police (Scotland) Act 1967

      2. 2.Superannuation Act 1972

      3. 3.Juries Act 1974

      4. 4.Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974

      5. 5.House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975

      6. 6.Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975

      7. 7.The Police Pensions Act 1976

      8. 8.Rehabilitation of Offenders (Northern Ireland) Order 1978

      9. 9.The 1984 Act

      10. 10.Prosecution of Offences Act 1985

      11. 11.Road Traffic Act 1988

      12. 12.In section 183(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (application...

      13. 13.Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990

      14. 14.The 1996 Act

      15. 15.In section 54 of the 1996 Act (appointment and functions...

      16. 16.(1) Section 62 of that Act (consultation on terms and...

      17. 17.In section 63(3) of that Act (consultation with Police Advisory...

      18. 18.In section 87 of that Act (guidance concerning disciplinary proceedings),...

      19. 19.(1) In subsection (1) of section 97 of that Act...

      20. 20.Justices of the Peace Act 1997

      21. 21.The 1997 Act

      22. 22.Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998

      23. 23.Freedom of Information Act 2000

      24. 24.Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001

    9. SCHEDULE 8

      Repeals

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