OpenLegislation

Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000

2000 c. 32 · Enacted 23 November 2000 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 1 change made by later legislation has not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 13 May 2016.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
s. 44(3)(b)referred to by SI 2001/369 reg. 2C(4) (as inserted)Police Trainee 2008 reg. 2(2)

An Act to make provision about policing in Northern Ireland; and for connected purposes.

[23rd November 2000]

Be 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:—

Contents

  1. Part I: Name of the Police in Northern Ireland
  2. 1Name of the police in Northern Ireland.
  3. Part II: The Northern Ireland Policing Board
  4. 2The Northern Ireland Policing Board.
  5. 3General functions of the Board.
  6. 4Police support staff.
  7. 5Power to transfer certain staff to employment of Board.
  8. 5AContracts relating to detention and escort services
  9. 6Provision and maintenance of buildings and equipment.
  10. 7Acquisition and disposal of land by Board.
  11. 8Provision of advice and assistance to international organisations, etc.
  12. 9Grants to, and borrowing by, the Board.
  13. 10Funding for police purposes – ancillary provisions.
  14. 11Charges for special services.
  15. 12Accounts and audit.
  16. 13Rewards for diligence.
  17. Part III: District and community policing arrangements
  18. District policing partnerships
  19. 14Establishment of district policing partnerships.
  20. 15Default of council. Repealed
  21. 15ADefault of council: Belfast sub-groups Repealed
  22. 16General functions of district policing partnerships. Repealed
  23. 17Annual report by district policing partnership to council. Repealed
  24. 18Reports by district policing partnership to Board. Repealed
  25. 19Code of practice for district policing partnerships. Repealed
  26. Police districts
  27. 20Police districts.
  28. 21District policing partnership sub-groups for Belfast Repealed
  29. 21AAnnual report by sub-groups to Belfast district policing partnership
  30. 21BAnnual report by Belfast district policing partnership to council
  31. 21COther reports by sub-groups to Belfast district policing partnership
  32. 21DReports by Belfast district policing partnership to Board
  33. 22The local policing plan.
  34. Other community policing arrangements
  35. 23Other community policing arrangements. Repealed
  36. Part IV: Policing objectives, plans and codes of practice
  37. 24The Department of Justice’s long term policing objectives.
  38. 25The Board’s policing objectives.
  39. 26The Board’s policing plan.
  40. 27Codes of practice on exercise of functions.
  41. Part V: Economy, efficiency and effectiveness
  42. 28Arrangements relating to economy, efficiency and effectiveness.
  43. 29Audit of performance plans.
  44. 30Examinations.
  45. 31Enforcement of duties under section 28.
  46. Part VI: The police
  47. Core policing principles
  48. 31ACore policing principles
  49. General functions
  50. 32General functions of the police.
  51. 33General functions of Chief Constable.
  52. 33AProvision of information to Board
  53. 34Exercise of functions of Chief Constable in cases of absence, incapacity, etc.
  54. 35Appointment and removal of senior officers.
  55. 36Appointment and promotion of other police officers in the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
  56. 36AFixed-term appointments to the Police Service of Northern Ireland
  57. 37Appointments to the Police Service of Northern Ireland Reserve.
  58. 38Attestation of constables.
  59. Trainees and cadets
  60. 39Appointment of police trainees.
  61. 40Appointment of police reserve trainees.
  62. 41Status etc. of trainees.
  63. 42Police cadets.
  64. Recruitment arrangements
  65. 43Contracting-out of certain recruitment functions of Chief Constable.
  66. 44Recruitment arrangements: trainees and support staff.
  67. 45Recruitment arrangements: other ranks.
  68. Temporary provisions concerning composition of the police
  69. 46Discrimination in appointments.
  70. 47Expiry, renewal and repeal of temporary provisions.
  71. 47AAppointments to Police Service of Northern Ireland in special circumstances
  72. 48Action plans.
  73. 49Severance arrangements.
  74. General
  75. 50Service by members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland Reserve with other police services.
  76. 51Notifiable memberships.
  77. 52Code of ethics.
  78. 53Guidance as to use of equipment for maintaining or restoring public order.
  79. 54Regulations as to emblems and flags.
  80. 55Identification of police officers.
  81. 56Co-operation with Garda Siochana.
  82. Part VII: Reports and inquiries
  83. 57Annual and other reports by the Board.
  84. 58Annual report by Chief Constable to Board.
  85. 59General duty of Chief Constable to report to Board.
  86. 60Inquiry by Board following report by Chief Constable.
  87. 61Reports by Chief Constable to Secretary of State and Minister of Justice .
  88. Part VIII: The police ombudsman
  89. 62Mediation.
  90. 63Reports by Ombudsman to Chief Constable and Board.
  91. 64Supply of information by Ombudsman to Board.
  92. 65Limits on complaints and references to Ombudsman.
  93. 66Access by Ombudsman to information and documents.
  94. Part IX: Miscellaneous and supplementary
  95. Miscellaneous
  96. 67The Commissioner.
  97. 68Reports by the Commissioner.
  98. 69General duty of Ministers.
  99. 70The Royal Ulster Constabulary GC Foundation.
  100. 71Traffic wardens.
  101. 72Video recording of interviews.
  102. 73Places of detention: lay visitors.
  103. 74Application to police of anti-discrimination legislation.
  104. 74ARestriction on disclosure of information
  105. Supplementary
  106. 75Expenses of Secretary of State.
  107. 76Orders and regulations.
  108. 76ADisclosure of information and holding of inquiries
  109. 77Interpretation.
  110. 78Amendments, transitional and transitory provisions and repeals.
  111. 79Commencement.
  112. 80Extent.
  113. 81Short title.
  114. Schedule 1: The Northern Ireland Policing Board
  115. Part I: Status and membership
  116. Status
  117. 1Paragraph 1
  118. Membership: application of Parts II and III
  119. 2Paragraph 2
  120. Restoration of devolved government under Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Act 2006
  121. 2AParagraph 2A
  122. Part II: Membership during suspension of devolved government
  123. Constitution
  124. 3Paragraph 3
  125. Term of office
  126. 4Paragraph 4
  127. Remuneration and allowances of members
  128. 5Paragraph 5
  129. Part III: Membership during devolved government
  130. Constitution
  131. 6Paragraph 6
  132. Political members
  133. 7Paragraph 7
  134. Independent members
  135. 8Paragraph 8
  136. Removal of members from office
  137. 9Paragraph 9
  138. Disqualification
  139. 10Paragraph 10
  140. Chairman and vice-chairman
  141. 11Paragraph 11
  142. Remuneration and allowances of members
  143. 12Paragraph 12
  144. Part IV: Staff
  145. Staff of the Board
  146. 13Paragraph 13
  147. Power to transfer staff to employment of Board
  148. 14Paragraph 14
  149. Part V: Funding
  150. Grants to the Board
  151. 15Paragraph 15
  152. Accounts and audit
  153. 16Paragraph 16
  154. Part VI: Procedure
  155. Procedure
  156. 17Paragraph 17
  157. Authorisations under section 47A(1)
  158. 17AParagraph 17A
  159. Inquiries under section 60
  160. 18Paragraph 18
  161. Public meetings
  162. 19Paragraph 19
  163. Attendance of Director General of NCA at meetings
  164. 19AParagraph 19A
  165. Validity of proceedings
  166. 20Paragraph 20
  167. Seal
  168. 21Paragraph 21
  169. Execution and proof of instruments
  170. 22Paragraph 22
  171. Disclosure of pecuniary interests, family connections, etc.
  172. 23Paragraph 23
  173. Committees
  174. 24Paragraph 24
  175. Schedule 2: Transfer of functions, assets, liabilities and staff of Police Authority for Northern Ireland
  176. Interpretation
  177. 1Paragraph 1
  178. Transfer of functions
  179. 2Paragraph 2
  180. Transfer of assets and liabilities
  181. 3Paragraph 3
  182. Transfer of employed staff
  183. 4Paragraph 4
  184. Transfer of seconded staff
  185. 5Paragraph 5
  186. References to, and acts, etc. done by, or in relation to, the Authority
  187. 6Paragraph 6
  188. Accounts
  189. 7Paragraph 7
  190. Schedule 3: District policing partnerships Repealed
  191. Interpretation Repealed
  192. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  193. Size and composition Repealed
  194. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  195. Political members Repealed
  196. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  197. Independent members Repealed
  198. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  199. The council’s nominations Repealed
  200. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  201. Code of practice on appointment of independent members Repealed
  202. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  203. Removal of members from office Repealed
  204. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  205. Disqualification Repealed
  206. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  207. Chairman and vice-chairman Repealed
  208. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  209. 9AParagraph 9A Repealed
  210. Allowances Repealed
  211. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  212. Idemnities Repealed
  213. 10AParagraph 10A Repealed
  214. Insurance against accidents Repealed
  215. 10BParagraph 10B Repealed
  216. Finance Repealed
  217. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  218. Procedure Repealed
  219. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  220. Validity of proceedings Repealed
  221. 13Paragraph 13 Repealed
  222. Disclosure of pecuniary interests, family connections, et ceteralaetc. Repealed
  223. 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
  224. Committees Repealed
  225. 15Paragraph 15 Repealed
  226. Joint partnerships Repealed
  227. 16Paragraph 16 Repealed
  228. Belfast district policing partnership Repealed
  229. 17Paragraph 17 Repealed
  230. Schedule 3A: BELFAST SUB-GROUPS
  231. Interpretation
  232. 1Paragraph 1
  233. Size and composition
  234. 2Paragraph 2
  235. Political members
  236. 3Paragraph 3
  237. Independent members
  238. 4Paragraph 4
  239. The council’s nominations
  240. 5Paragraph 5
  241. Code of practice on appointment of independent members
  242. 6Paragraph 6
  243. Removal of members from office
  244. 7Paragraph 7
  245. Disqualification
  246. 8Paragraph 8
  247. Chairman and vice-chairman
  248. 9Paragraph 9
  249. Allowances
  250. 10Paragraph 10
  251. Indemnities
  252. 11Paragraph 11
  253. Insurance against accidents
  254. 12Paragraph 12
  255. Finance
  256. 13Paragraph 13
  257. Procedure
  258. 14Paragraph 14
  259. Validity of proceedings
  260. 15Paragraph 15
  261. Disclosure of pecuniary interests, family connections, etc.
  262. 16Paragraph 16
  263. Committees
  264. 17Paragraph 17
  265. Schedule 4: The Commissioner
  266. Appointment etc. of the Commissioner
  267. 1Paragraph 1
  268. Terms of reference
  269. 2Paragraph 2
  270. Remuneration, pensions, allowances, etc.
  271. 3Paragraph 3
  272. Staff
  273. 4Paragraph 4
  274. 5Paragraph 5
  275. Exercise of functions
  276. 6Paragraph 6
  277. Evidence
  278. 7Paragraph 7
  279. Finance
  280. 8Paragraph 8
  281. 9Paragraph 9
  282. Schedule 5: Application of anti-discrimination legislation to the police
  283. Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 (NI 15)
  284. 1Paragraph 1
  285. Race Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 (NI 6)
  286. 2Paragraph 2
  287. Fair Employment and Treatment (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 (NI 21)
  288. 3Paragraph 3
  289. Schedule 6: Amendments
  290. Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 (c. 33 (N.I.))
  291. 1Paragraph 1
  292. Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (1967 c. 13)
  293. 2Paragraph 2
  294. House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 24)
  295. 3Paragraph 3
  296. Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 25)
  297. 4Paragraph 4
  298. Interpretation Act 1978 (c. 30)
  299. 5Paragraph 5
  300. Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 (NI 9)
  301. 6Paragraph 6
  302. Finance Act 1981 (c. 35)
  303. 7Paragraph 7
  304. Aviation Security Act 1982 (c. 36)
  305. 8Paragraph 8
  306. Official Secrets Act 1989 (c. 6)
  307. 9Paragraph 9
  308. Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (NI 12)
  309. 10Paragraph 10
  310. Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990 (c. 31)
  311. 11Paragraph 11
  312. Police Act 1996 (c. 16)
  313. 12Paragraph 12
  314. Juries (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (NI 6)
  315. 13Paragraph 13
  316. Commissioner for Complaints (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (NI 7)
  317. 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
  318. Proceeds of Crime (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (NI 9)
  319. 15Paragraph 15
  320. Road Traffic Offenders (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (NI 10)
  321. 16Paragraph 16
  322. Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (NI 16)
  323. 17Paragraph 17
  324. Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (NI 22)
  325. 18Paragraph 18
  326. Registration of Clubs (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (NI 23)
  327. 19Paragraph 19
  328. Police Act 1997 (c. 50)
  329. 20Paragraph 20
  330. Road Traffic Regulation (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 (NI 2)
  331. 21Paragraph 21
  332. Police (Health and Safety) (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 (NI 16)
  333. 22Paragraph 22
  334. Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 (c. 32)
  335. 23Paragraph 23
  336. Northern Ireland Act 1998 (c. 47)
  337. 24Paragraph 24
  338. Freedom of Information Act 2000 (c. )
  339. 25Paragraph 25
  340. Schedule 7: Transitional and transitory provisions
  341. Statutory references to the police service and the police service reserve
  342. 1Paragraph 1
  343. Recruitment arrangements: references to the Board
  344. 2Paragraph 2
  345. Section 23
  346. 3Paragraph 3
  347. Registration of Political Parties Act 1998
  348. 4Paragraph 4
  349. Schedule 8Repeals