Introduction
1.These explanatory notes relate to the Police Reform Act which received Royal Assent on 24 July 2002. They have been prepared by the Home Office in order to assist the reader of the Act. They do not form part of the Act and have not been endorsed by Parliament.
2.The notes need to be read in conjunction with the Act. They are not, and are not meant to be, a comprehensive description of the Act. So where a section or part of a section does not seem to require any explanation or comment, none is given.
3.A glossary of abbreviations and terms used in these explanatory notes is contained in the annex to the notes.