Energy Act 2004

65 Rank-related associations

(1) The Secretary of State may approve one or more bodies (whether corporate or unincorporate) as bodies approved to carry out the functions conferred by this section.

(2) A body approved by the Secretary of State under this section shall be known as a rank-related association.

(3) The function of a rank-related association shall be to represent, in all matters affecting their welfare and efficiency, members of the Constabulary who—

(a) are not members of the Civil Nuclear Police Federation or of another rank-related association; and

(b) hold such ranks as may be specified in the approval given for the purposes of this section by the Secretary of State.

(4) Those matters do not include—

(a) the promotion in rank of particular individuals; or

(b) (except to the extent provided in subsection (5)) discipline matters affecting particular individuals.

(5) A rank-related association may represent a member of the association—

(a) at disciplinary proceedings conducted in accordance with arrangements made by the Police Authority; or

(b) on an appeal under any such arrangements from a decision in such proceedings.

(6) But representation under subsection (5) must comply with any restrictions imposed by section 66.

(7) Except so far as otherwise authorised by the Secretary of State, a rank-related association must be entirely independent of, and unassociated with, bodies and other persons who are without appropriate police connections.

(8) But it may employ in an administrative or advisory capacity persons who are without appropriate police connections.

(9) An authorisation for the purposes of subsection (7)—

(a) may be given either conditionally or unconditionally; and

(b) may be varied or revoked at any time.

(10) In relation to a rank-related association, only the following have appropriate police connections for the purposes of this section—

(a) persons within the service of the Constabulary, of the Ministry of Defence Police, of the British Transport Police Force, of a police force for a police area in Great Britain or of the Police Service of Northern Ireland;

(b) persons not falling within paragraph (a) who are members of or employed by the Police Authority;

(c) the Civil Nuclear Police Federation;

(d) another rank-related association;

(e) a federation referred to in section 59 of the Police Act 1996 (c. 16), section 3 of the Ministry of Defence Police Act 1987 (c. 4) or section 39 of the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 (c. 20) (police federations);

(f) the Police Association for Northern Ireland;

(g) a body recognised under, and for the purposes specified in, section 64(5) of the Police Act 1996 or section 35(4) of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 (c. 32) (recognition of other bodies for trade union purposes).