Energy Act 2004

Power of Secretary of State to require suspension of chief constable

4 (1) This paragraph applies where—

(a) the Police Authority has notified the chief constable that it intends to exercise its power under paragraph 1 to call on him to retire or to resign;

(b) the Secretary of State has notified the chief constable under paragraph 2 that he intends to require the Police Authority to exercise that power in his case; or

(c) the Police Authority has exercised that power, or has been required to do so under paragraph 2, but the chief constable has not yet retired or resigned.

(2) The Secretary of State may require the Police Authority to suspend the chief constable from duty.

(3) But this power is to be exercisable only where the Secretary of State considers that it is necessary to exercise it in order to maintain public confidence in the Constabulary.

(4) The Police Authority must comply with a requirement under this paragraph to suspend the chief constable from duty.

(5) Paragraph 3(3) and (4) do not apply to the suspension of the chief constable in pursuance of a requirement under this paragraph.