Section 32 Local inquiries.

The Secretary of State may cause a local inquiry to be held by a person appointed by him into any matter connected with the policing of any area.

Any inquiry under this section shall be held in public or in private as the Secretary of State may direct.

F1Subsections (2) and (3) of section 250 of the M1Local Government Act 1972 (power to summon and examine witnesses) shall apply to any inquiry held under this section as they apply to an inquiry held under that section.

Where the report of the person holding an inquiry under this section is not published, a summary of his findings and conclusions shall be made known by the Secretary of State so far as appears to him consistent with the public interest.

The Secretary of State may direct that the whole or part of the costs incurred by any person for the purposes of any inquiry held under this section shall be defrayed out of the police fund or, if the inquiry relates to more than one police area, out of the police funds concerned in such proportions as may be specified in the direction; and any costs payable under this section shall be subject to taxation in such manner as the Secretary of State may direct.