OpenLegislation

Section 15 General duties of local policing bodies, chief officers and inspectorsC2C3C4C5C6C7C8F48C1

United Kingdom

(1)

It shall be the duty of—

(a)

every F1local policing body maintaining a police force,

(b)

the chief officer of police of every police force, and

(c)

every inspector of constabulary carrying out any of his functions in relation to a police force,

to ensure that it or he is kept informed, in relation to that force, about all matters falling within subsection (2).

F2(1A)

It shall be the duty of the F3National Crime Agency to ensure that it is kept informed, in relation to the Agency, about all matters falling within subsection (2).

F4(1B)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2)

Those matters are—

(a)

matters with respect to which any provision of this Part has effect;

(b)

anything which is done under or for the purposes of any such provision; and

(c)

any obligations to act or refrain from acting that have arisen by or under this Part but have not yet been complied with, or have been contravened.

F5(2A)

Subsection (2B) applies in a case where it appears to a local policing body that—

(a)

an obligation to act or refrain from acting has arisen by or under this Part,

(b)

that obligation is an obligation of the chief officer of police of the police force which is maintained by the local policing body, and

(c)

the chief officer has not yet complied with that obligation, or has contravened it.

(2B)

The local policing body may direct the chief officer to take such steps as the local policing body thinks appropriate.

(2C)

The chief officer must comply with any direction given under subsection (2B).

(3)

Where—

(a)

a F6local policing body maintaining any police force requires the chief officer of that force or of any other force to provide a member of his force for appointment under paragraph 16F7... or 18 of Schedule 3,

(b)

the chief officer of police of any police force requires the chief officer of police of any other police force to provide a member of that other force for appointment under any of those paragraphs, or

F8(c)

a F9local policing body or chief officer requires the Director General of the F10National Crime Agency to provide a F11National Crime Agency officer for appointment under any of those paragraphs,

it shall be the duty of the chief officer F12to whom the requirement is addressed or of the Director General F13of the Agency to comply with it.

(4)

It shall be the duty of—

(a)

every F14local policing body maintaining a police force,

(b)

the chief officer of police of every police force, F15 and

F16(c)

the F17National Crime Agency,

to provide the F18Director General and every member of the F19Office's staff with all such assistance as the Director General or that member of staff may reasonably require for the purposes of, or in connection with, the carrying out of any investigation by the Director General under this Part F20or any review under paragraph 25 of Schedule 3.

(5)

It shall be the duty of—

(a)

every F21local policing body maintaining a police force,

(b)

the chief officer of every police force, F22and

F23(c)

the F24National Crime Agency,

to ensure that a person appointed under paragraph 16F25... or 18 of Schedule 3 to carry out an investigation is given all such assistance and co-operation in the carrying out of that investigation as that person may reasonably require

(6)

The duties imposed by subsections (4) and (5) on a F26local policing body maintaining a police force and on the chief officer of such a force and on F27the F28National Crime Agency have effect—

(a)

irrespective of whether the investigation F29or review (as the case may be) relates to the conduct of a person who is or has been a member of that force or F30a F31a National Crime Agency officer; F32...

(b)

F33in the case of an investigation, irrespective of who has the person appointed to carry out the investigation under his direction and control; F34and

(c)

in the case of a review applied for under paragraph 25(1B) of Schedule 3 in respect of an investigation, irrespective of who had the person appointed to carry out the investigation under his direction and control;

but a chief officer of a third force may be required to give assistance and co-operation under subsection (5) only with the approval of the chief officer of the force to which the person who requires it belongs F35. . . .

(7)

In subsection (6) “third force”, in relation to an investigation, means a police force other than—

(a)

the force to which the person carrying out the investigation belongs; or

(b)

the force to which the person whose conduct is under investigation belonged at the time of the conduct;

F36 and where the person whose conduct is under investigation was a F37National Crime Agency officer at the time of the conduct, “third force” means any police force other than the force to which the person carrying out the investigation belongs.

F38(8)

Where the person who requires assistance and co-operation under subsection (5) is a F39National Crime Agency officer, a chief officer of a third force may be required to give that assistance and co-operation only with the approval of the Director General of the Agency.

F40(8A)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(F418B)

In subsections (8) and (8A) “third force”, in relation to an investigation, means any police force other than the force to which the person whose conduct is under investigation belonged at the time of the conduct.

(9)

Where—

(a)

the person carrying out an investigation is not a F42National Crime Agency officer; and

(b)

the person whose conduct is under investigation was not a F43National Crime Agency officer at the time of the conduct,

F44the Agency may be required to give assistance and co-operation under subsection (5) only with the approval of the relevant directing officer.

F45(10)

In subsection (9) “the relevant directing officer”—

(a)

in a case where the person who requires assistance and co-operation belongs to a police force, means the chief officer of that force; F46...

F47(b)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Annotations

Textual amendments

F1

Words in s. 15(1)(a) substituted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 281(3); S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1

F2

S. 15(1A) inserted (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 55, 178, Sch. 2 para. 5(2); S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. para. 8 (subject to art. 4(2)-(7))

F3

Words in s. 15(1A) substituted (7.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 6 para. 11(2); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(q)

F4

S. 15(1B) omitted (7.10.2013) by virtue of Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 6 para. 11(3); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(q)

F5

S. 15(2A)-(2C) inserted (16.1.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 14 para. 7; S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1; S.I. 2012/2892, art. 2(g) (with art. 6)

F6

Words in s. 15(3)(a) substituted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 281(3); S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1

F7

Word in s. 15(3)(a) omitted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 1.2.2020 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 5 para. 47(a)(i); S.I. 2020/5, reg. 2(n) (with art. 3(1)(2)(4))

F8

S. 15(3)(c) substituted (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 55, 178, Sch. 2 para. 5(3)(a); S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. para. 8 (subject to art. 4(2)-(7))

F9

Words in s. 15(3)(c) substituted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 281(4); S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1

F10

Words in s. 15(3)(c) substituted (7.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 6 para. 11(4)(a); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(q)

F11

Words in s. 15(3)(c) substituted (7.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 6 para. 11(4)(b); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(q)

F12

Words in s. 15(3) substituted (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 55, 178, Sch. 2 para. 5(3)(b); S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. para. 8 (subject to art. 4(2)-(7))

F13

Words in s. 15(3) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 8.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 9 para. 21(2); S.I. 2017/1249, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)

F14

Words in s. 15(4)(a) substituted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 281(5); S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1

F15

Word in s. 15(4)(b) inserted (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 55, 178, Sch. 2 para. 5(4); S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. para. 8 (subject to art. 4(2)-(7))

F16

S. 15(4)(c) substituted for s. 15(4)(c)(d) (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 55, 178, Sch. 2 para. 5(4); S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. para. 8 (subject to art. 4(2)-(7))

F17

Words in s. 15(4)(c) substituted (7.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 6 para. 11(5); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(q)

F18

Words in s. 15(4) substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 8.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 9 para. 21(3)(a); S.I. 2017/1249, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)

F19

Word in s. 15(4) substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 8.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 9 para. 21(3)(b); S.I. 2017/1249, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)

F20

Words in s. 15(4) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 1.2.2020 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 5 para. 42(a); S.I. 2020/5, reg. 2(n) (with art. 3(1)(2)(4))

F21

Words in s. 15(5)(a) substituted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 281(5); S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1

F22

Word in s. 15(5)(b) inserted (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 55, 178, Sch. 2 para. 5(5); S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. para. 8 (subject to art. 4(2)-(7))

F23

S. 15(5)(c) substituted for s. 15(5)(c)(d) (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 55, 178, Sch. 2 para. 5(5); S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. para. 8 (subject to art. 4(2)-(7))

F24

Words in s. 15(5)(c) substituted (7.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 6 para. 11(5); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(q)

F25

Word in s. 15(5) omitted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 1.2.2020 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 5 para. 47(a)(ii); S.I. 2020/5, reg. 2(n) (with art. 3(1)(2)(4))

F26

Words in s. 15(6) substituted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 281(5); S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1

F27

Words in s. 15(6) substituted (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 55, 178, Sch. 2 para. 5(6)(a); S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. para. 8 (subject to art. 4(2)-(7))

F28

Words in s. 15(6) substituted (7.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 6 para. 11(6)(a); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(q)

F29

Words in s. 15(6)(a) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 1.2.2020 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 5 para. 42(b)(i); S.I. 2020/5, reg. 2(n) (with art. 3(1)(2)(4))

F30

Words in s. 15(6)(a) substituted (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 55, 178, Sch. 2 para. 5(6)(b); S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. para. 8 (subject to art. 4(2)-(7))

F31

Words in s. 15(6)(a) substituted (7.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 6 para. 11(6)(b); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(q)

F32

Word in s. 15(6)(a) omitted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 1.2.2020 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 5 para. 42(b)(ii); S.I. 2020/5, reg. 2(n) (with art. 3(1)(2)(4))

F33

Words in s. 15(6)(b) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 1.2.2020 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 5 para. 42(b)(iii); S.I. 2020/5, reg. 2(n) (with art. 3(1)(2)(4))

F34

S. 15(6)(c) and word inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 1.2.2020 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 5 para. 42(b)(iv); S.I. 2020/5, reg. 2(n) (with art. 3(1)(2)(4))

F35

Words in s. 15(6) repealed (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 55, 174, 178, Sch. 2 para. 5(6)(c), Sch. 17 Pt. 2; S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. paras. 8, 12, 13(oo) (subject to art. 4(2)-(7))

F36

Words in s. 15(7) substituted (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 55, 178, Sch. 2 para. 5(7); S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. para. 8 (subject to art. 4(2)-(7))

F37

Words in s. 15(7) substituted (7.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 6 para. 11(7); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(q)

F38

S. 15(8)(9) inserted (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 55, 178, Sch. 2 para. 5(8); S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. para. 8 (subject to art. 4(2)-(7))

F39

Words in s. 15(8) substituted (7.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 6 para. 11(8); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(q)

F40

S. 15(8A) omitted (7.10.2013) by virtue of Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 6 para. 11(9); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(q)

F41

S. 15(8A)(8B) substituted for words in s. 15(8) (1.4.2007) by Police and Justice Act 2006 (c. 48), ss. 1, 53, Sch. 1 para. 84(3); S.I. 2007/709, art. 3(a) (subject to arts. 6, 7)

F42

Words in s. 15(9)(a) substituted (7.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 6 para. 11(10)(a); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(q)

F43

Words in s. 15(9)(b) substituted (7.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 6 para. 11(10)(b); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(q)

F44

Words in s. 15(9) substituted (1.4.2007) by Police and Justice Act 2006 (c. 48), ss. 1, 53, Sch. 1 para. 84(4); S.I. 2007/709, art. 3(a) (subject to arts. 6, 7)

F45

S. 15(10) inserted (1.4.2007) by Police and Justice Act 2006 (c. 48), ss. 1, 53, Sch. 1 para. 84(5); S.I. 2007/709, art. 3(a) (subject to arts. 6, 7)

F46

Word in s. 15(10)(a) omitted (7.10.2013) by virtue of Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 6 para. 11(11); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(q)

F47

S. 15(10)(b) omitted (7.10.2013) by virtue of Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 6 para. 11(11); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(q)

F48

Words in s. 15 title substituted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 281(2); S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1

Modifications

C1

S. 15 applied (with modifications) (E.W.) (28.12.2005) by The Revenue and Customs (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/3311), reg. 3(2)(6), Sch. 1

C2

Pt. 2 applied (with modifications) (22.11.2012) by The Police (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/1204), regs. 1(1), 35(1) (with reg. 35(2))

C3

Pt. 2 applied (with modifications) (22.11.2012) by The Police (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/1204), regs. 1(1), 27

C4

Pt. 2 applied (with application in accordance with reg. 1(3) of the amending S.I.) by The Police (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/2), regs. 1(1), 43(3)

C5

Pt. 2 applied (with modifications) (with application in accordance with reg. 1(3) of the amending S.I.) by The Police (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/2), regs. 1(1), 52

C6

Pt. 2 applied (with modifications) (with application in accordance with reg. 1(3) of the amending S.I.) by The Police (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/2), regs. 1(1), 42(1), Sch. 2

C7

Pt. 2 applied (with modifications) (with application in accordance with reg. 1(3) of the amending S.I.) by The Police (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/2), regs. 1(1), 43(1)(2)

C8

Pt. 2 applied (with modifications) (with application in accordance with reg. 1(3) of the amending S.I.) by The Police (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/2), regs. 1(1), 42(2)

Notes on Part 2

Modifications

C1

Pt. 2 power to apply amend or modify conferred (31.10.2011) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 7 para. 7(1); S.I. 2011/2515, art. 2(d)

C4

Pt. 2 applied (with modifications) (9.8.2013) by The Police (Complaints and Misconduct)(Old Cases) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/1778), regs. 1(1), 2

C5

Pt. 2 modified (8.4.2015) by The Independent Police Complaints Commission (Complaints and Misconduct) (Contractors) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/431), regs. 1, 4, Sch.

C6

Pt. 2: power to amend conferred (E.W.) (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 17.7.2017 in so far as not already in force) by 2009 c. 20, s. 107EE(4) (as inserted by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), ss. 8(2), 183(1)(5)(e); S.I. 2017/726, reg. 2(a))

C7

Pt. 2: power to amend conferred (E.W.) (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 3.4.2017 in so far as not already in force) by 2004 c. 21, s. 4K(2)(4) (as inserted by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 1 para. 5; S.I. 2017/399, reg. 2, Sch. para. 38)

C8

Pt. 2 modified (15.12.2017) by S.I. 2012/1204, Sch. Pt. 1 (as inserted by The Police (Conduct, Complaints and Misconduct and Appeal Tribunal) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/1134), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 (with reg. 2))

C14

Pt. 2: power to amend conferred (E.W.) (26.12.2023) by Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), ss. 38, 255(2)(c) (with s. 247)

C15

Pt. 2 (ss. 9-29) applied (with modifications) (1.4.2004) by The Police (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/643), regs. 21, 29, 30

C16

Pt. 2 (ss. 9-29) applied (1.4.2004) by The Police (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/643), reg. 28

C17

Pt. 2 (ss. 9-29) excluded (1.4.2004) by The Independent Police Complaints Commission (Transitional Provisions) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/671), arts. 2(2), 3

C18

Pt. 2 (ss. 9-29) excluded (E.W.) (28.12.2005) by The Revenue and Customs (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/3311), regs. 3(7), 8, 9

C19

Pt. 2 (ss. 9-29): power to apply conferred (7.4.2005 at 5.45 p.m.) by Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 (c. 11), ss. 28(2)(a), 53; S.I. 2005/1126, art. 2