After that subsection there is inserted—

“(1A)

The appropriate deputy chief constable for the purposes of subsection (1) is—

(a)

in the case of a police force that has only one deputy chief constable, the deputy chief constable;

(b)

in the case of a police force that has more than one deputy chief constable, the most senior deputy chief constable.

(1B)

The chief constable of a police force that has more than one deputy chief constable shall, after consulting the police authority responsible for maintaining the force, designate the deputy chief constables in order of seniority for the purposes of subsection (1A)(b).

(1C)

During any absence, incapacity or suspension from duty of the person who—

(a)

is designated as the most senior deputy chief constable for the purposes of subsection (1A)(b), or

(b)

is treated under this subsection as the most senior deputy chief constable,

the person designated as the next most senior deputy chief constable shall be treated as the most senior one for those purposes.”

For subsection (2) there is substituted—

“(2)

The chief constable of a police force shall, after consulting the police authority responsible for maintaining the force, designate a person holding the rank of assistant chief constable in that force to exercise or perform any or all of the powers or duties of the chief constable during any period when—

(a)

the chief constable is absent, incapacitated or suspended from duty and—

(i)

the deputy chief constable, or each of the deputy chief constables, is also absent, incapacitated or suspended from duty, or

(ii)

the office of the deputy chief constable, or of each of the deputy chief constables, is vacant;

or

(b)

the office of the chief constable is vacant and—

(i)

the office of the deputy chief constable, or of each of the deputy chief constables, is also vacant, or

(ii)

the deputy chief constable, or each of the deputy chief constables, is absent, incapacitated or suspended from duty.”