Police Act 1996
1996 c. 16 · Enacted 22 May 1996 · Extends to United Kingdom
I1C1Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—C2C3
Contents
- Part I: Organisation of Police Forces
- Police areas and police forces
- 1Police areas.
- ...
- 2Maintenance of police forces.
- 3Establishment of police authorities. Repealed
- 4Membership of police authorities etc. Repealed
- 5Reductions in size of police authorities. Repealed
- ...
- 5AMaintenance of the metropolitan police force.
- 5BEstablishment of the Metropolitan Police Authority. Repealed
- 5CMembership etc of the Metropolitan Police Authority. Repealed
- The metropolitan police and forces outside London
- 6General functions of police authorities. Repealed
- The City of London
- 6AZACommon Council to remain police authority for City
- 6ZAPower to confer particular functions on the Common Council
- 6ZBPlans by the Common Council
- 6ZCReports by the Common Council
- 6AThree-year strategy plans Repealed
- 7Local policing objectives. Repealed
- 8Local policing plans. Repealed
- 8ALocal policing summaries Repealed
- 9Annual reports by police authorities. Repealed
- 9AGeneral functions of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. Repealed
- 9BAppointment of Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. Repealed
- 9CFunctions of Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. Repealed
- 9DAppointment of Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. Repealed
- 9ERemoval of Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner. Repealed
- 9FAssistant Commissioners of Police of the Metropolis. Repealed
- 9FAAppointment and removal of Deputy Assistant Commissioners Repealed
- 9GCommanders. Repealed
- Police ranks
- 9HOther members of the metropolitan police force.
- 10General functions of chief constables. Repealed
- 11Appointment and removal of chief constables. Repealed
- 11AAppointment and removal of deputy chief constables Repealed
- 12Assistant chief constables. Repealed
- 12APower of deputy to exercise functions of chief constable Repealed
- 13Other members of police forces.
- 14Police fund. Repealed
- 15Civilian employees. Repealed
- 16Appointment of chief executive. Repealed
- 17Appointment of persons not employed by police authorities. Repealed
- City of London
- 18Supply of goods and services.
- 19Approval of decisions about precepts. Repealed
- 20Questions on police matters at council meetings. Repealed
- 20AQuestions on metropolitan police matters at London Assembly meetings. Repealed
- 21Application of certain provisions to police authorities. Repealed
- ...
- 22Reports by chief constables to police authorities.
- General provisions
- 22ACollaboration agreements
- 22BDuty of chief officers to keep collaboration agreements under review
- 22CDuty of policing bodies to keep collaboration agreements under review
- 23Collaboration agreements involving police forces
- 23ACollaboration agreements involving policing bodie
- 23AAForce collaboration provision about civilian employees
- 23BCollaboration agreements: payments
- 23CCollaboration agreements: consultation and supplemental
- 23DCollaboration agreements: accountability
- 23ECollaboration agreements: publication
- 23FCollaboration agreements: guidance
- 23FAPolice functions that must be the subject of force collaboration provision
- 23GCollaboration agreements: directions
- 23HCollaboration agreements: termination by Secretary of State
- 23HADecisions about efficiency or effectiveness
- 23ICollaboration agreements: definitions
- 24Aid of one police force by another.
- 25Provision of special services.
- 26Provision of advice and assistance to international organisations etc.
- 27Special constables.
- 28Police cadets.
- 29Attestation of constables.
- 30Jurisdiction of constables.
- 31Rewards for diligence
- Amendment of names of police areas
- 31APower to amend names of police areas
- Alteration of police areas
- 32Power to alter police areas by order.
- 33Objections to alterations proposed by Secretary of State.
- 34Orders altering police areas: supplementary provisions.
- Supplemental
- 35The Scilly Isles.
- Part II: Central Supervision, Direction and Facilities
- Functions of Secretary of State
- 36General duty of Secretary of State.
- 36ANational Policing Plan Repealed
- 37Setting of objectives for police authorities. Repealed
- 37AThe strategic policing requirement
- 38Setting of performance targets. Repealed
- 39Codes of practice. Repealed
- 39ACodes of practice for chief officers
- 40Power to give directions in relation to police force
- 40APower to give directions in relation to local policing body
- 40BProcedure for directions under section 40 or 40A
- 40CPower to give directions to College of Policing
- 40DPower to give directions to critical police undertakings
- 41Directions as to minimum budget.
- 41APower to give directions as to action plans Repealed
- 41BProcedure for directions under section 41A Repealed
- 42Metropolitan police: suspension or removal of Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner
- 42AProcedure in relation to exercise of powers under section 42
- 43Reports from police authorities. Repealed
- 44Provision of information by chief officers of police
- 45Criminal statistics. Repealed
- 46Police grant.
- 47Grants for capital expenditure.
- 48Grants for expenditure on safeguarding national security.
- 49Local inquiries. Repealed
- 50Regulations for police forces.
- 50ARegulations for police forces: ranks
- 50BRegulations under section 50A: procedure
- 51Regulations for special constables.
- 52Regulations for police cadets.
- 52ARegulations about hours, leave or pay: consultation etc
- 53Regulations as to standard and provision of equipment.
- 53ARegulation of procedures and practices
- Civilian staff
- 53EGuidance about civilian staff employed by local policing bodies and chief officers
- 53FGuidance about designated police volunteers
- Inspectors of constabulary
- 54Appointment and functions of inspectors of constabulary.
- 55Publication of reports.
- 56Assistant inspectors and staff officers.
- Central services
- 57Common services.
- 58Research.
- Part III: Police Representative Institutions
- 59Police Federations.
- 60Regulations for Police Federations.
- 60ASections 59 and 60: special provision for the Scottish Police Services Authority and the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency Repealed
- 61The Police Negotiating Board for the United Kingdom. Repealed
- 62Functions of the Board with respect to regulations. Repealed
- 63Police Advisory Board for England and Wales
- 64Membership of trade unions.
- Part 3A: The Police Remuneration Review Body
- 64AThe Police Remuneration Review Body
- 64BReports by the Police Remuneration Review Body
- Part IV: Complaints, disciplinary proceedings etc.
- Chapter ...
- Section Repealed
- Section Repealed
- Section Repealed
- Section Repealed
- Section Repealed
- Section Repealed
- Section Repealed
- Section Repealed
- Section Repealed
- Section Repealed
- Section Repealed
- Section Repealed
- Section Repealed
- Section Repealed
- Section Repealed
- Section Repealed
- Section Repealed
- Section Repealed
- Section Repealed
- Chapter II: Disciplinary and other proceedings
- 84Representation etc. at disciplinary and other proceedings
- 85Appeals against decisions made in disciplinary and other proceedings
- 86Admissibility of statements in subsequent proceedings. Repealed
- 87Guidance concerning disciplinary proceedings etc.
- 87AGuidance concerning conduct etc
- 88Liability for wrongful acts of constables.
- Part 4A: Police barred list and police advisory list
- Police barred list
- 88ADuty to report dismissals etc to College of Policing
- 88BDuty to maintain police barred list
- 88CEffect of inclusion in police barred list Repealed
- 88DApplication of section 88C to persons with mixed functions Repealed
- 88EProhibition on contractors using barred persons Repealed
- 88FRemoval from police barred list
- 88GPublication of information in police barred list
- 88HPower to disclose information in police barred list
- Police advisory list
- 88IDuty to report resignations and retirements etc to College of Policing
- 88JDuty to maintain police advisory list
- 88KEffect of inclusion in police advisory list Repealed
- 88LRemoval from police advisory list
- 88MPower to disclose information in police advisory list
- Part V: Miscellaneous and General
- Offences
- 89Assaults on constables.
- 90Impersonation, etc.
- 91Causing disaffection.
- Miscellaneous financial provisions
- 92Grants by local authorities.
- 93Acceptance of gifts and loans.
- 94Financing of new police and crime commissioners .
- 95The City of London police Fund.
- 95ACharging of fees by College of Policing
- Miscellaneous
- 96Arrangements for obtaining the views of the community on policing.
- 96ANational and international functions of the metropolitan police force and other police forces.
- 96BNational and international functions: application of requirements relating to reports etc. Repealed
- 97Police officers engaged on service outside their force.
- 97APower to amend section 97
- 98Cross-border aid of one police force by another.
- 99Jurisdiction of metropolitan police officers.
- 100Chief constables affected by police area alterations or local government reorganisations.
- 100AAppointment of senior police officers as staff of College of Policing
- 100BDisclosure of information to College of Policing
- Supplemental
- 101Interpretation.
- 102Orders, rules and regulations.
- 103Consequential amendments, transitional provisions, repeals, etc.
- 104Commencement.
- 105Extent.
- 106Short title.
- Schedule 1: Police areas
- England (except London)
- Wales
- Schedule 2: Police authorities established under section 3 Repealed
- Membership of police authorities Repealed
- 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
- Appointment of councillor members Repealed
- 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
- Appointment of other members Repealed
- 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
- Chairman and vice chairmen Repealed
- 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
- Standards committees Repealed
- 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
- Consultation Repealed
- 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
- Supplementary Repealed
- 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
- Interpretation Repealed
- 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
- 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
- Schedule 2A: The Metropolitan police authority Repealed
- Membership of Authority Repealed
- 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
- Appointment of members from London Assembly etc Repealed
- 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
- Appointment of other members Repealed
- 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
- Chairman and vice chairmen Repealed
- 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
- Standards committees Repealed
- 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
- Consultation Repealed
- 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
- Supplementary Repealed
- 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
- Interpretation Repealed
- 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
- Schedule 3: Police authorities: selection of independent members Repealed
- Selection panels Repealed
- 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
- 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
- 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
- 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
- 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
- 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
- 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
- Functions of selection panel Repealed
- 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
- 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
- 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
- 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
- Secretary of State’s short-list Repealed
- 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
- 13Paragraph 13 Repealed
- 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
- Schedule 3A: Police authorities: selection of lay justice members Repealed
- Lay justice selection panels Repealed
- 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
- Lay justice selection panels Repealed
- 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
- Lay justice selection panels Repealed
- 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
- Functions of lay justice selection panels Repealed
- 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
- Functions of lay justice selection panels Repealed
- 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
- Procedure if too few candidates short-listed Repealed
- 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
- Schedule 4: Form of Declaration
- Schedule 4A: Further provision about Her Majesty's Inspectors of Constabulary
- Delegation of functions
- 1Paragraph 1
- Inspection programmes and inspection frameworks
- 2Paragraph 2
- Inspections by other inspectors of organisations within remit of inspectors of constabulary
- 3Paragraph 3
- Co-operation
- 4Paragraph 4
- Joint action
- 5Paragraph 5
- Assistance for other public authorities
- 6Paragraph 6
- Powers of inspectors to obtain information etc
- 6AParagraph 6A
- Powers of inspectors to obtain access to police premises
- 6BParagraph 6B
- Failure to comply with notice under paragraph 6A or 6B
- 6CParagraph 6C
- Appeals against notices under paragraph 6A
- 6DParagraph 6D
- Sensitive information: restriction on further disclosure
- 6EParagraph 6E
- Provision of sensitive information to inspectors
- 6FParagraph 6F
- Orders under this Schedule
- 7Paragraph 7
- Schedule 4B: The Police Remuneration Review Body
- Interpretation
- 1Paragraph 1
- Members of the review body
- 2Paragraph 2
- 3Paragraph 3
- 4Paragraph 4
- Resignation of members
- 5Paragraph 5
- 6Paragraph 6
- 7Paragraph 7
- Dismissal of members
- 8Paragraph 8
- 9Paragraph 9
- 10Paragraph 10
- Procedure
- 11Paragraph 11
- Matters to be considered
- 12Paragraph 12
- Consultation
- 13Paragraph 13
- Publication
- 14Paragraph 14
- Money
- 15Paragraph 15
- Schedule 5: The Police Complaints Authority Repealed
- Constitution of Authority Repealed
- 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
- Status of Authority Repealed
- 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
- Members Repealed
- 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
- 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
- 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
- Staff Repealed
- 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
- 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
- 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
- Power of Authority to set up regional offices Repealed
- 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
- Proceedings Repealed
- 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
- 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
- Finance Repealed
- 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
- 13Paragraph 13 Repealed
- Schedule 6: Appeals to police appeals tribunals
- Police appeals tribunals
- 1Paragraph 1
- 2Paragraph 2
- 2AParagraph 2A
- Notice of appeal
- 3Paragraph 3
- Respondent
- 4Paragraph 4
- Casting vote
- 5Paragraph 5
- Hearing
- 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
- Effect of orders
- 7Paragraph 7
- Remuneration and expenses
- 8Paragraph 8
- Parties’ costs: appeals by officer concerned
- 9Paragraph 9
- Parties’ costs: appeals by chief officer of police or local policing body
- 9AParagraph 9A
- Parties’ costs: appeals by IOPC
- 9BParagraph 9B
- Other costs of appeals
- 9CParagraph 9C
- Interpretation
- 10Paragraph 10
- Schedule 7: Consequential amendments
- Part I: References to police authorities established under section 3 of Police Act 1964
- 1Paragraph 1
- Part II: Other consequential amendments
- Pedlars Act 1871 (c. 96)
- 2Paragraph 2
- 3Paragraph 3
- 4Paragraph 4
- 5Paragraph 5
- 6Paragraph 6
- Parks Regulation Act 1872 (c. 15)
- 7Paragraph 7
- 8Paragraph 8
- Riot (Damages) Act 1886 (c. 38)
- 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
- 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
- 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
- Local Government Act 1958 (c. 55)
- 12Paragraph 12
- Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1967 (c. 28)
- 13Paragraph 13
- Police (Scotland) Act 1967 (c. 77)
- 14Paragraph 14
- 15Paragraph 15
- Firearms Act 1968 (c. 27)
- 16Paragraph 16
- Police Act (Northern Ireland) 1970 (c. 9 (N.I.))
- 17Paragraph 17 Repealed
- Pensions (Increase) Act 1971 (c. 56)
- 18Paragraph 18
- Superannuation Act 1972 (c. 11)
- 19Paragraph 19
- 20Paragraph 20
- Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70)
- 21Paragraph 21
- Overseas Pensions Act 1973 (c. 21)
- 22Paragraph 22
- Juries Act 1974 (c. 23)
- 23Paragraph 23 Repealed
- House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 24)
- 24Paragraph 24
- Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 25)
- 25Paragraph 25
- Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 (c. 51)
- 26Paragraph 26
- Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (c. 65)
- 27Paragraph 27
- Police Pensions Act 1976 (c.35)
- 28Paragraph 28 Repealed
- 29Paragraph 29
- 30Paragraph 30
- Race Relations Act 1976 (c. 74)
- 31Paragraph 31 Repealed
- Interpretation Act 1978 (c. 30)
- 32Paragraph 32
- Finance Act 1981 (c. 35)
- 33Paragraph 33
- Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (c. 60)
- 34Paragraph 34
- 35Paragraph 35
- 36Paragraph 36
- 37Paragraph 37 Repealed
- 38Paragraph 38
- Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 (c. 23)
- 39Paragraph 39
- Housing Act 1985 (c. 68)
- 40Paragraph 40
- Ministry of Defence Police Act 1987 (c. 4)
- 41Paragraph 41
- Football Spectators Act 1989 (c. 37)
- 42Paragraph 42 Repealed
- Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990 (c. 31)
- 43Paragraph 43
- Local Government Act 1992 (c. 19)
- 44Paragraph 44
- Tribunals and Inquiries Act 1992 (c. 53)
- 45Paragraph 45
- 46Paragraph 46
- Criminal Appeal Act 1995 (c.35)
- 47Paragraph 47
- Schedule 8: Transitional provisions, savings etc.
- Part I: General Provisions
- Continuity of the law
- 1Paragraph 1
- General saving for old transitional provisions and savings
- 2Paragraph 2
- 3Paragraph 3
- Use of existing forms, etc.
- 4Paragraph 4
- Part II: Provisions relating to particular enactments
- Pedlars Act 1871
- 5Paragraph 5
- Savings relating to the Police Act 1964
- 6Paragraph 6
- 7Paragraph 7
- Saving for transitional provisions under the Police and Magistrates’ Courts Act 1994
- 8Paragraph 8
- Police areas
- 9Paragraph 9
- 10Paragraph 10
- Part III: Provisions relating to complaints and discipline
- Modification of enactments pending commencement of new discipline procedures
- 11Paragraph 11
- Modification of section 81
- 12Paragraph 12
- Saving for complaints procedures established for other bodies of constables
- 13Paragraph 13
- Schedule 9: Repeals and revocations
- IRepeals: general
- IIRepeals consequential on new discipline and complaints procedures
- IIIRevocations
- Schedule: TABLE OF DERIVATIONS
- 1Notes:
- 2Paragraph 2