OpenLegislation

Police Act 1996 in England

1996 c. 16 · Enacted 22 May 1996 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 8 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 29 September 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
Sch. 1amendedPolice Act 1997 s. 129
Sch. 7 para. 1(2)(h) 21—Local Government Act 2000 Sch. 6
s. 89(2)words substitutedCriminal Justice Act 2003 Sch. 26 para. 47
Sch. 2A para. 7(1)words substitutedTribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 Sch. 16 para. 9(3)
Sch. 2 para. 11words substitutedTribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 Sch. 16 para. 9(2)
s. 97(7)words repealedCriminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 Sch. 22 para. 10(3) Sch. 28 Pt. 8
s. 97(6)(c)words repealedCriminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 Sch. 22 para. 10(2)(b) Sch. 28 Pt. 8
s. 97(6)(b)words repealedCriminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 Sch. 22 para. 10(2)(a) Sch. 28 Pt. 8

An Act to consolidate the Police Act 1964, Part IX of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, Chapter I of Part I of the Police and Magistrates’ Courts Act 1994 and certain other enactments relating to the police.

[22nd May 1996] E1

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

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

Act applied (6.11.2000) by 1998 c. 32, s. 51, Sch. 3 para. 8(8); S.R. 2000/399, art. 3 (with arts. 4-5)

Act: power to modify conferred (2.4.2001) by 2000 c. 39, s. 7(2); S.I. 2001/766, art. 2(1)(a) (with art. 3)

C2

Act applied (with modifications) (10.5.2021) by The West Yorkshire Combined Authority (Election of Mayor and Functions) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/112), arts. 1(4), 35(1)(2), Sch. 5 para. 10

C3

Act applied (with modifications) (21.3.2024) by The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (Election of Mayor and Transfer of Police and Crime Commissioner Functions) Order 2024 (S.I. 2024/414), arts. 1(2), 5, Sch. 1 para. 10

Commencement

I1

Act partly in force at 22.8.1996, partly prospective; see s.104; Act wholly in force at 1.4.1999 by S.I. 1999/533, arts. 2, 3

Extent

E1

For the extent of this Act see s.105

Contents

  1. Part I: Organisation of Police Forces
  2. Police areas and police forces
  3. 1Police areas.
  4. ...
  5. 2Maintenance of police forces.
  6. 3Establishment of police authorities. Repealed
  7. 4Membership of police authorities etc. Repealed
  8. 5Reductions in size of police authorities. Repealed
  9. ...
  10. 5AMaintenance of the metropolitan police force.
  11. 5BEstablishment of the Metropolitan Police Authority. Repealed
  12. 5CMembership etc of the Metropolitan Police Authority. Repealed
  13. The metropolitan police and forces outside London
  14. 6General functions of police authorities. Repealed
  15. The City of London
  16. 6AZACommon Council to remain police authority for City
  17. 6ZAPower to confer particular functions on the Common Council
  18. 6ZBPlans by the Common Council
  19. 6ZCReports by the Common Council
  20. 6AThree-year strategy plans Repealed
  21. 7Local policing objectives. Repealed
  22. 8Local policing plans. Repealed
  23. 8ALocal policing summaries Repealed
  24. 9Annual reports by police authorities. Repealed
  25. 9AGeneral functions of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. Repealed
  26. 9BAppointment of Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. Repealed
  27. 9CFunctions of Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. Repealed
  28. 9DAppointment of Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. Repealed
  29. 9ERemoval of Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner. Repealed
  30. 9FAssistant Commissioners of Police of the Metropolis. Repealed
  31. 9FAAppointment and removal of Deputy Assistant Commissioners Repealed
  32. 9GCommanders. Repealed
  33. Police ranks
  34. 9HOther members of the metropolitan police force.
  35. 10General functions of chief constables. Repealed
  36. 11Appointment and removal of chief constables. Repealed
  37. 11AAppointment and removal of deputy chief constables Repealed
  38. 12Assistant chief constables. Repealed
  39. 12APower of deputy to exercise functions of chief constable Repealed
  40. 13Other members of police forces.
  41. 14Police fund. Repealed
  42. 15Civilian employees. Repealed
  43. 16Appointment of chief executive. Repealed
  44. 17Appointment of persons not employed by police authorities. Repealed
  45. City of London
  46. 18Supply of goods and services.
  47. 19Approval of decisions about precepts. Repealed
  48. 20Questions on police matters at council meetings. Repealed
  49. 20AQuestions on metropolitan police matters at London Assembly meetings. Repealed
  50. 21Application of certain provisions to police authorities. Repealed
  51. ...
  52. 22Reports by chief constables to police authorities.
  53. General provisions
  54. 22ACollaboration agreements
  55. 22BDuty of chief officers to keep collaboration agreements under review
  56. 22CDuty of policing bodies to keep collaboration agreements under review
  57. 23Collaboration agreements involving police forces
  58. 23ACollaboration agreements involving policing bodie
  59. 23AAForce collaboration provision about civilian employees
  60. 23BCollaboration agreements: payments
  61. 23CCollaboration agreements: consultation and supplemental
  62. 23DCollaboration agreements: accountability
  63. 23ECollaboration agreements: publication
  64. 23FCollaboration agreements: guidance
  65. 23FAPolice functions that must be the subject of force collaboration provision
  66. 23GCollaboration agreements: directions
  67. 23HCollaboration agreements: termination by Secretary of State
  68. 23HADecisions about efficiency or effectiveness
  69. 23ICollaboration agreements: definitions
  70. 24Aid of one police force by another.
  71. 25Provision of special services.
  72. 26Provision of advice and assistance to international organisations etc.
  73. 27Special constables.
  74. 28Police cadets.
  75. 29Attestation of constables.
  76. 30Jurisdiction of constables.
  77. 31Rewards for diligence
  78. Amendment of names of police areas
  79. 31APower to amend names of police areas
  80. Alteration of police areas
  81. 32Power to alter police areas by order.
  82. 33Objections to alterations proposed by Secretary of State.
  83. 34Orders altering police areas: supplementary provisions.
  84. Supplemental
  85. 35The Scilly Isles.
  86. Part II: Central Supervision, Direction and Facilities
  87. Functions of Secretary of State
  88. 36General duty of Secretary of State.
  89. 36ANational Policing Plan Repealed
  90. 37Setting of objectives for police authorities. Repealed
  91. 37AThe strategic policing requirement
  92. 38Setting of performance targets. Repealed
  93. 39Codes of practice. Repealed
  94. 39ACodes of practice for chief officers
  95. 40Power to give directions in relation to police force
  96. 40APower to give directions in relation to local policing body
  97. 40BProcedure for directions under section 40 or 40A
  98. 40CPower to give directions to College of Policing
  99. 40DPower to give directions to critical police undertakings
  100. 41Directions as to minimum budget.
  101. 41APower to give directions as to action plans Repealed
  102. 41BProcedure for directions under section 41A Repealed
  103. 42Metropolitan police: suspension or removal of Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner
  104. 42AProcedure in relation to exercise of powers under section 42
  105. 43Reports from police authorities. Repealed
  106. 44Provision of information by chief officers of police
  107. 45Criminal statistics. Repealed
  108. 46Police grant.
  109. 47Grants for capital expenditure.
  110. 48Grants for expenditure on safeguarding national security.
  111. 49Local inquiries. Repealed
  112. 50Regulations for police forces.
  113. 50ARegulations for police forces: ranks
  114. 50BRegulations under section 50A: procedure
  115. 51Regulations for special constables.
  116. 52Regulations for police cadets.
  117. 52ARegulations about hours, leave or pay: consultation etc
  118. 53Regulations as to standard and provision of equipment.
  119. 53ARegulation of procedures and practices
  120. Civilian staff
  121. 53EGuidance about civilian staff employed by local policing bodies and chief officers
  122. 53FGuidance about designated police volunteers
  123. Inspectors of constabulary
  124. 54Appointment and functions of inspectors of constabulary.
  125. 55Publication of reports.
  126. 56Assistant inspectors and staff officers.
  127. Central services
  128. 57Common services.
  129. 58Research.
  130. Part III: Police Representative Institutions
  131. 59Police Federations.
  132. 60Regulations for Police Federations.
  133. 61The Police Negotiating Board for the United Kingdom. Repealed
  134. 62Functions of the Board with respect to regulations. Repealed
  135. 63Police Advisory Board for England and Wales
  136. 64Membership of trade unions.
  137. Part 3A: The Police Remuneration Review Body
  138. 64AThe Police Remuneration Review Body
  139. 64BReports by the Police Remuneration Review Body
  140. Part IV: Complaints, disciplinary proceedings etc.
  141. Chapter ...
  143. Section Repealed
  145. Section Repealed
  147. Section Repealed
  148. Section Repealed
  149. Section Repealed
  150. Section Repealed
  151. Section Repealed
  152. Section Repealed
  153. Section Repealed
  154. Section Repealed
  155. Section Repealed
  156. Section Repealed
  157. Section Repealed
  158. Section Repealed
  159. Section Repealed
  160. Section Repealed
  161. Section Repealed
  162. Section Repealed
  163. Section Repealed
  164. Chapter II: Disciplinary and other proceedings
  165. 84Representation etc. at disciplinary and other proceedings
  166. 85Appeals against decisions made in disciplinary and other proceedings
  167. 86Admissibility of statements in subsequent proceedings. Repealed
  168. 87Guidance concerning disciplinary proceedings etc.
  169. 87AGuidance concerning conduct etc
  170. 88Liability for wrongful acts of constables.
  171. Part 4A: Police barred list and police advisory list
  172. Police barred list
  173. 88ADuty to report dismissals etc to College of Policing
  174. 88BDuty to maintain police barred list
  175. 88CEffect of inclusion in police barred list Repealed
  176. 88DApplication of section 88C to persons with mixed functions Repealed
  177. 88EProhibition on contractors using barred persons Repealed
  178. 88FRemoval from police barred list
  179. 88GPublication of information in police barred list
  180. 88HPower to disclose information in police barred list
  181. Police advisory list
  182. 88IDuty to report resignations and retirements etc to College of Policing
  183. 88JDuty to maintain police advisory list
  184. 88KEffect of inclusion in police advisory list Repealed
  185. 88LRemoval from police advisory list
  186. 88MPower to disclose information in police advisory list
  187. Part V: Miscellaneous and General
  188. Offences
  189. 89Assaults on constables.
  190. 90Impersonation, etc.
  191. 91Causing disaffection.
  192. Miscellaneous financial provisions
  193. 92Grants by local authorities.
  194. 93Acceptance of gifts and loans.
  195. 94Financing of new police and crime commissioners .
  196. 95The City of London police Fund.
  197. 95ACharging of fees by College of Policing
  198. Miscellaneous
  199. 96Arrangements for obtaining the views of the community on policing.
  200. 96ANational and international functions of the metropolitan police force and other police forces.
  201. 96BNational and international functions: application of requirements relating to reports etc. Repealed
  202. 97Police officers engaged on service outside their force.
  203. 97APower to amend section 97
  204. 98Cross-border aid of one police force by another.
  205. 100Chief constables affected by police area alterations or local government reorganisations.
  206. 100AAppointment of senior police officers as staff of College of Policing
  207. 100BDisclosure of information to College of Policing
  208. Supplemental
  209. 101Interpretation.
  210. 102Orders, rules and regulations.
  211. 103Consequential amendments, transitional provisions, repeals, etc.
  212. 104Commencement.
  213. 105Extent.
  214. 106Short title.
  215. Schedule 1: Police areas
  216. England (except London)
  217. Wales
  218. Schedule 2: Police authorities established under section 3 Repealed
  219. Membership of police authorities Repealed
  220. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  221. Appointment of councillor members Repealed
  222. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  223. Appointment of other members Repealed
  224. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  225. Chairman and vice chairmen Repealed
  226. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  227. Standards committees Repealed
  228. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  229. Consultation Repealed
  230. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  231. Supplementary Repealed
  232. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  233. Interpretation Repealed
  234. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  235. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  236. Schedule 2A: The Metropolitan police authority Repealed
  237. Membership of Authority Repealed
  238. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  239. Appointment of members from London Assembly etc Repealed
  240. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  241. Appointment of other members Repealed
  242. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  243. Chairman and vice chairmen Repealed
  244. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  245. Standards committees Repealed
  246. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  247. Consultation Repealed
  248. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  249. Supplementary Repealed
  250. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  251. Interpretation Repealed
  252. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  253. Schedule 3: Police authorities: selection of independent members Repealed
  254. Selection panels Repealed
  255. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  256. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  257. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  258. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  259. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  260. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  261. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  262. Functions of selection panel Repealed
  263. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  264. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  265. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  266. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  267. Secretary of State’s short-list Repealed
  268. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  269. 13Paragraph 13 Repealed
  270. 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
  271. Schedule 3A: Police authorities: selection of lay justice members Repealed
  272. Lay justice selection panels Repealed
  273. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  274. Lay justice selection panels Repealed
  275. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  276. Lay justice selection panels Repealed
  277. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  278. Functions of lay justice selection panels Repealed
  279. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  280. Functions of lay justice selection panels Repealed
  281. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  282. Procedure if too few candidates short-listed Repealed
  283. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  284. Schedule 4Form of Declaration
  285. Schedule 4A: Further provision about Her Majesty's Inspectors of Constabulary
  286. Delegation of functions
  287. 1Paragraph 1
  288. Inspection programmes and inspection frameworks
  289. 2Paragraph 2
  290. Inspections by other inspectors of organisations within remit of inspectors of constabulary
  291. 3Paragraph 3
  292. Co-operation
  293. 4Paragraph 4
  294. Joint action
  295. 5Paragraph 5
  296. Assistance for other public authorities
  297. 6Paragraph 6
  298. Powers of inspectors to obtain information etc
  299. 6AParagraph 6A
  300. Powers of inspectors to obtain access to police premises
  301. 6BParagraph 6B
  302. Failure to comply with notice under paragraph 6A or 6B
  303. 6CParagraph 6C
  304. Appeals against notices under paragraph 6A
  305. 6DParagraph 6D
  306. Sensitive information: restriction on further disclosure
  307. 6EParagraph 6E
  308. Provision of sensitive information to inspectors
  309. 6FParagraph 6F
  310. Orders under this Schedule
  311. 7Paragraph 7
  312. Schedule 4B: The Police Remuneration Review Body
  313. Interpretation
  314. 1Paragraph 1
  315. Members of the review body
  316. 2Paragraph 2
  317. 3Paragraph 3
  318. 4Paragraph 4
  319. Resignation of members
  320. 5Paragraph 5
  321. 6Paragraph 6
  322. 7Paragraph 7
  323. Dismissal of members
  324. 8Paragraph 8
  325. 9Paragraph 9
  326. 10Paragraph 10
  327. Procedure
  328. 11Paragraph 11
  329. Matters to be considered
  330. 12Paragraph 12
  331. Consultation
  332. 13Paragraph 13
  333. Publication
  334. 14Paragraph 14
  335. Money
  336. 15Paragraph 15
  337. Schedule 5: The Police Complaints Authority Repealed
  338. Constitution of Authority Repealed
  339. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  340. Status of Authority Repealed
  341. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  342. Members Repealed
  343. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  344. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  345. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  346. Staff Repealed
  347. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  348. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  349. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  350. Power of Authority to set up regional offices Repealed
  351. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  352. Proceedings Repealed
  353. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  354. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  355. Finance Repealed
  356. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  357. 13Paragraph 13 Repealed
  358. Schedule 6: Appeals to police appeals tribunals
  359. Police appeals tribunals
  360. 1Paragraph 1
  361. 2Paragraph 2
  362. 2AParagraph 2A
  363. Notice of appeal
  364. 3Paragraph 3
  365. Respondent
  366. 4Paragraph 4
  367. Casting vote
  368. 5Paragraph 5
  369. Hearing
  370. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  371. Effect of orders
  372. 7Paragraph 7
  373. Remuneration and expenses
  374. 8Paragraph 8
  375. Parties’ costs: appeals by officer concerned
  376. 9Paragraph 9
  377. Parties’ costs: appeals by chief officer of police or local policing body
  378. 9AParagraph 9A
  379. Parties’ costs: appeals by IOPC
  380. 9BParagraph 9B
  381. Other costs of appeals
  382. 9CParagraph 9C
  383. Interpretation
  384. 10Paragraph 10
  385. Schedule 7: Consequential amendments
  386. Part I: References to police authorities established under section 3 of Police Act 1964
  387. 1Paragraph 1
  388. Part II: Other consequential amendments
  389. Pedlars Act 1871 (c. 96)
  390. 2Paragraph 2
  391. 3Paragraph 3
  392. 4Paragraph 4
  393. 5Paragraph 5
  394. 6Paragraph 6
  395. Parks Regulation Act 1872 (c. 15)
  396. 7Paragraph 7
  397. 8Paragraph 8
  398. Riot (Damages) Act 1886 (c. 38)
  399. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  400. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  401. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  402. Local Government Act 1958 (c. 55)
  403. 12Paragraph 12
  404. Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1967 (c. 28)
  405. 13Paragraph 13
  406. 14Paragraph 14
  407. 15Paragraph 15
  408. Firearms Act 1968 (c. 27)
  409. 16Paragraph 16
  410. Pensions (Increase) Act 1971 (c. 56)
  411. 18Paragraph 18
  412. Superannuation Act 1972 (c. 11)
  413. 19Paragraph 19
  414. 20Paragraph 20
  415. Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70)
  416. 21Paragraph 21
  417. Overseas Pensions Act 1973 (c. 21)
  418. 22Paragraph 22
  419. Juries Act 1974 (c. 23)
  420. 23Paragraph 23 Repealed
  421. House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 24)
  422. 24Paragraph 24
  423. 25Paragraph 25
  424. Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 (c. 51)
  425. 26Paragraph 26
  426. Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (c. 65)
  427. 27Paragraph 27
  428. Police Pensions Act 1976 (c.35)
  429. 28Paragraph 28 Repealed
  430. 29Paragraph 29
  431. 30Paragraph 30
  432. Race Relations Act 1976 (c. 74)
  433. 31Paragraph 31 Repealed
  434. Interpretation Act 1978 (c. 30)
  435. 32Paragraph 32
  436. Finance Act 1981 (c. 35)
  437. 33Paragraph 33
  438. Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (c. 60)
  439. 34Paragraph 34
  440. 35Paragraph 35
  441. 36Paragraph 36
  442. 37Paragraph 37 Repealed
  443. 38Paragraph 38
  444. Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 (c. 23)
  445. 39Paragraph 39
  446. Housing Act 1985 (c. 68)
  447. 40Paragraph 40
  448. Ministry of Defence Police Act 1987 (c. 4)
  449. 41Paragraph 41
  450. Football Spectators Act 1989 (c. 37)
  451. 42Paragraph 42 Repealed
  452. Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990 (c. 31)
  453. 43Paragraph 43
  454. Local Government Act 1992 (c. 19)
  455. 44Paragraph 44
  456. Tribunals and Inquiries Act 1992 (c. 53)
  457. 45Paragraph 45
  458. 46Paragraph 46
  459. Criminal Appeal Act 1995 (c.35)
  460. 47Paragraph 47
  461. Schedule 8: Transitional provisions, savings etc.
  462. Part I: General Provisions
  463. Continuity of the law
  464. 1Paragraph 1
  465. General saving for old transitional provisions and savings
  466. 2Paragraph 2
  467. 3Paragraph 3
  468. Use of existing forms, etc.
  469. 4Paragraph 4
  470. Part II: Provisions relating to particular enactments
  471. Pedlars Act 1871
  472. 5Paragraph 5
  473. Savings relating to the Police Act 1964
  474. 6Paragraph 6
  475. 7Paragraph 7
  476. Saving for transitional provisions under the Police and Magistrates’ Courts Act 1994
  477. 8Paragraph 8
  478. Police areas
  479. 9Paragraph 9
  480. 10Paragraph 10
  481. Part III: Provisions relating to complaints and discipline
  482. Modification of enactments pending commencement of new discipline procedures
  483. 11Paragraph 11
  484. Modification of section 81
  485. 12Paragraph 12
  486. Saving for complaints procedures established for other bodies of constables
  487. 13Paragraph 13
  488. Schedule 9: Repeals and revocations
  489. IRepeals: general
  490. IIRepeals consequential on new discipline and complaints procedures
  491. IIIRevocations
  492. Schedule: TABLE OF DERIVATIONS
  493. 1Notes:
  494. 2Paragraph 2