6.—(1) This regulation applies in relation to any case in which the police authority has decided in terms of regulation 5(2) that disciplinary proceedings need to be taken against the officer subject to investigation.
(2) In any case to which this regulation applies, the police authority shall instruct a solicitor (hereinafter referred to as “the independent solicitor”) to consider whether the officer subject to investigation should be charged with any disciplinary offence.
(3) The independent solicitor shall be a solicitor not being either—
(a)a member, officer or servant of the police authority, or where an amalgamation scheme is in force, of the joint police board; or
(b)a former member of the police force to which the officer under investigation belongs.
(4) The police authority shall submit to the independent solicitor a copy of the investigating officer’s report together with copies of such other documents specified in regulation 5(1) as may have been submitted to it.
(5) Where the independent solicitor considers that the officer subject to investigation maybe charged with a disciplinary offence he shall—
(a)draw up and enter on a discipline form the disciplinary offence with which the accused might be charged and specifying such particulars as will leave the officer subject to investigation in no doubt as to the precise offence alleged; and
(b)thereafter submit the discipline form to the police authority.
(6) The discipline form shall be in the form set out in Schedule 3 to these Regulations or in a form to the like effect.
(7) Where the independent solicitor considers that there is insufficient evidence to support any charge against the officer subject to investigation he shall direct that no further disciplinary proceedings shall be taken against the officer subject to investigation in relation to the matter as referred to him, and where he so directs he shall forthwith notify the police authority and the officer subject to investigation in writing.
(8) Where the independent solicitor makes a direction under paragraph (7) then no further disciplinary proceedings under these Regulations may be taken against the officer subject to investigation in relation to the matter referred to the independent solicitor.