OpenLegislation

Police Act 1996 in Northern Ireland

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. 2 para. 11words substitutedTribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 Sch. 16 para. 9(2)
Sch. 2A para. 7(1)words substitutedTribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 Sch. 16 para. 9(3)
s. 97(6)(c)words repealedCriminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 Sch. 22 para. 10(2)(b) Sch. 28 Pt. 8
s. 97(7)words repealedCriminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 Sch. 22 para. 10(3) 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. 6AZACommon Council to remain police authority for City
  2. 20AQuestions on metropolitan police matters at London Assembly meetings. Repealed
  3. 21Application of certain provisions to police authorities. Repealed
  4. General provisions
  5. 22ACollaboration agreements
  6. 22BDuty of chief officers to keep collaboration agreements under review
  7. 22CDuty of policing bodies to keep collaboration agreements under review
  8. 23HCollaboration agreements: termination by Secretary of State
  9. Amendment of names of police areas
  10. 31APower to amend names of police areas
  11. 35The Scilly Isles.
  12. 40CPower to give directions to College of Policing
  13. 40DPower to give directions to critical police undertakings
  14. 41APower to give directions as to action plans Repealed
  15. 41BProcedure for directions under section 41A Repealed
  16. 45Criminal statistics. Repealed
  17. 50ARegulations for police forces: ranks
  18. 50BRegulations under section 50A: procedure
  19. 52ARegulations about hours, leave or pay: consultation etc
  20. Civilian staff
  21. 53EGuidance about civilian staff employed by local policing bodies and chief officers
  22. 53FGuidance about designated police volunteers
  23. Inspectors of constabulary
  24. 56Assistant inspectors and staff officers.
  25. Central services
  26. 58Research.
  27. Part III: Police Representative Institutions
  28. 61The Police Negotiating Board for the United Kingdom. Repealed
  29. 62Functions of the Board with respect to regulations. Repealed
  30. Part 3A: The Police Remuneration Review Body
  31. 64AThe Police Remuneration Review Body
  32. 64BReports by the Police Remuneration Review Body
  33. Chapter ...
  35. Section Repealed
  36. Section Repealed
  37. Section Repealed
  38. Section Repealed
  39. Section Repealed
  40. Section Repealed
  41. Section Repealed
  42. Section Repealed
  43. Section Repealed
  44. Section Repealed
  45. Section Repealed
  46. Section Repealed
  47. Section Repealed
  48. Section Repealed
  49. Section Repealed
  50. Section Repealed
  51. 87AGuidance concerning conduct etc
  52. Part 4A: Police barred list and police advisory list
  53. Police barred list
  54. 88ADuty to report dismissals etc to College of Policing
  55. 88BDuty to maintain police barred list
  56. 88CEffect of inclusion in police barred list Repealed
  57. 88DApplication of section 88C to persons with mixed functions Repealed
  58. 88EProhibition on contractors using barred persons Repealed
  59. 88FRemoval from police barred list
  60. 88GPublication of information in police barred list
  61. 88HPower to disclose information in police barred list
  62. Police advisory list
  63. 88IDuty to report resignations and retirements etc to College of Policing
  64. 88JDuty to maintain police advisory list
  65. 88KEffect of inclusion in police advisory list Repealed
  66. 88LRemoval from police advisory list
  67. 88MPower to disclose information in police advisory list
  68. Part V: Miscellaneous and General
  69. 95ACharging of fees by College of Policing
  70. Miscellaneous
  71. 97APower to amend section 97
  72. 98Cross-border aid of one police force by another.
  73. 99Jurisdiction of metropolitan police officers.
  74. 100AAppointment of senior police officers as staff of College of Policing
  75. 100BDisclosure of information to College of Policing
  76. Supplemental
  77. 102Orders, rules and regulations.
  78. 103Consequential amendments, transitional provisions, repeals, etc.
  79. 104Commencement.
  80. 105Extent.
  81. 106Short title.
  82. Schedule 2: Police authorities established under section 3 Repealed
  83. Membership of police authorities Repealed
  84. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  85. Appointment of councillor members Repealed
  86. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  87. Appointment of other members Repealed
  88. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  89. Chairman and vice chairmen Repealed
  90. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  91. Standards committees Repealed
  92. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  93. Consultation Repealed
  94. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  95. Supplementary Repealed
  96. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  97. Interpretation Repealed
  98. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  99. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  100. Schedule 2A: The Metropolitan police authority Repealed
  101. Membership of Authority Repealed
  102. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  103. Appointment of members from London Assembly etc Repealed
  104. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  105. Appointment of other members Repealed
  106. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  107. Chairman and vice chairmen Repealed
  108. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  109. Standards committees Repealed
  110. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  111. Consultation Repealed
  112. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  113. Supplementary Repealed
  114. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  115. Interpretation Repealed
  116. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  117. Selection panels Repealed
  118. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  119. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  120. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  121. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  122. Functions of selection panel Repealed
  123. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  124. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  125. Secretary of State’s short-list Repealed
  126. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  127. 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
  128. Schedule 3A: Police authorities: selection of lay justice members Repealed
  129. Lay justice selection panels Repealed
  130. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  131. Lay justice selection panels Repealed
  132. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  133. Lay justice selection panels Repealed
  134. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  135. Functions of lay justice selection panels Repealed
  136. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  137. Functions of lay justice selection panels Repealed
  138. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  139. Procedure if too few candidates short-listed Repealed
  140. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  141. Schedule 4Form of Declaration
  142. Schedule 4A: Further provision about Her Majesty's Inspectors of Constabulary
  143. Delegation of functions
  144. 1Paragraph 1
  145. Inspection programmes and inspection frameworks
  146. 2Paragraph 2
  147. Inspections by other inspectors of organisations within remit of inspectors of constabulary
  148. 3Paragraph 3
  149. Co-operation
  150. 4Paragraph 4
  151. Joint action
  152. 5Paragraph 5
  153. Assistance for other public authorities
  154. 6Paragraph 6
  155. Powers of inspectors to obtain information etc
  156. 6AParagraph 6A
  157. Powers of inspectors to obtain access to police premises
  158. 6BParagraph 6B
  159. Failure to comply with notice under paragraph 6A or 6B
  160. 6CParagraph 6C
  161. Appeals against notices under paragraph 6A
  162. 6DParagraph 6D
  163. Sensitive information: restriction on further disclosure
  164. 6EParagraph 6E
  165. Provision of sensitive information to inspectors
  166. 6FParagraph 6F
  167. Orders under this Schedule
  168. 7Paragraph 7
  169. Schedule 4B: The Police Remuneration Review Body
  170. Interpretation
  171. 1Paragraph 1
  172. Members of the review body
  173. 2Paragraph 2
  174. 3Paragraph 3
  175. 4Paragraph 4
  176. Resignation of members
  177. 5Paragraph 5
  178. 6Paragraph 6
  179. 7Paragraph 7
  180. Dismissal of members
  181. 8Paragraph 8
  182. 9Paragraph 9
  183. 10Paragraph 10
  184. Procedure
  185. 11Paragraph 11
  186. Matters to be considered
  187. 12Paragraph 12
  188. Consultation
  189. 13Paragraph 13
  190. Publication
  191. 14Paragraph 14
  192. Money
  193. 15Paragraph 15
  194. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  195. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  196. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  197. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  198. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  199. Staff Repealed
  200. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  201. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  202. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  203. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  204. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  205. 13Paragraph 13 Repealed
  206. Police appeals tribunals
  207. 2AParagraph 2A
  208. Notice of appeal
  209. 3Paragraph 3
  210. Respondent
  211. 4Paragraph 4
  212. Casting vote
  213. 5Paragraph 5
  214. Hearing
  215. Effect of orders
  216. Remuneration and expenses
  217. 8Paragraph 8
  218. Parties’ costs: appeals by officer concerned
  219. Parties’ costs: appeals by chief officer of police or local policing body
  220. 9AParagraph 9A
  221. Parties’ costs: appeals by IOPC
  222. 9BParagraph 9B
  223. Other costs of appeals
  224. 9CParagraph 9C
  225. Interpretation
  226. Schedule 7: Consequential amendments
  227. Part I: References to police authorities established under section 3 of Police Act 1964
  228. 1Paragraph 1
  229. Part II: Other consequential amendments
  230. 2Paragraph 2
  231. 3Paragraph 3
  232. 4Paragraph 4
  233. 5Paragraph 5
  234. 6Paragraph 6
  235. Parks Regulation Act 1872 (c. 15)
  236. 7Paragraph 7
  237. 8Paragraph 8
  238. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  239. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  240. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  241. 12Paragraph 12
  242. Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1967 (c. 28)
  243. 13Paragraph 13
  244. 14Paragraph 14
  245. 15Paragraph 15
  246. 16Paragraph 16
  247. Police Act (Northern Ireland) 1970 (c. 9 (N.I.))
  248. 17Paragraph 17 Repealed
  249. 18Paragraph 18
  250. Superannuation Act 1972 (c. 11)
  251. 20Paragraph 20
  252. Overseas Pensions Act 1973 (c. 21)
  253. 22Paragraph 22
  254. House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 24)
  255. 24Paragraph 24
  256. Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 25)
  257. 25Paragraph 25
  258. 26Paragraph 26
  259. 28Paragraph 28 Repealed
  260. 29Paragraph 29
  261. 30Paragraph 30
  262. Interpretation Act 1978 (c. 30)
  263. 32Paragraph 32
  264. Finance Act 1981 (c. 35)
  265. 33Paragraph 33
  266. 34Paragraph 34
  267. 35Paragraph 35
  268. 36Paragraph 36
  269. 37Paragraph 37 Repealed
  270. 38Paragraph 38
  271. 39Paragraph 39
  272. 40Paragraph 40
  273. Ministry of Defence Police Act 1987 (c. 4)
  274. 41Paragraph 41
  275. Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990 (c. 31)
  276. 43Paragraph 43
  277. 44Paragraph 44
  278. Tribunals and Inquiries Act 1992 (c. 53)
  279. 45Paragraph 45
  280. 46Paragraph 46
  281. Criminal Appeal Act 1995 (c.35)
  282. 47Paragraph 47
  283. Schedule 8: Transitional provisions, savings etc.
  284. Part I: General Provisions
  285. Continuity of the law
  286. 1Paragraph 1
  287. General saving for old transitional provisions and savings
  288. 2Paragraph 2
  289. 3Paragraph 3
  290. Use of existing forms, etc.
  291. 4Paragraph 4
  292. Pedlars Act 1871
  293. 5Paragraph 5
  294. Savings relating to the Police Act 1964
  295. 7Paragraph 7
  296. 8Paragraph 8
  297. 9Paragraph 9
  298. 10Paragraph 10
  299. Modification of enactments pending commencement of new discipline procedures
  300. 11Paragraph 11
  301. 12Paragraph 12
  302. 13Paragraph 13
  303. Schedule 9: Repeals and revocations
  304. IRepeals: general
  305. IIRepeals consequential on new discipline and complaints procedures
  306. IIIRevocations
  307. 1Notes:
  308. 2Paragraph 2