{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/police-reform-act-2002/section-15",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/police-reform-act-2002/section-15.json",
  "legislation": "ukpga/2002/30",
  "legislation_title": "Police Reform Act 2002",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/police-reform-act-2002",
  "path": "section/15",
  "kind": "section",
  "number": "15",
  "heading": "General duties of local policing bodies, chief officers and inspectors",
  "text": "(1) It shall be the duty of—\n(a) every local policing body maintaining a police force,\n(b) the chief officer of police of every police force, and\n(c) every inspector of constabulary carrying out any of his functions in relation to a police force,\nto ensure that it or he is kept informed, in relation to that force, about all matters falling within subsection (2).\n(1A) It shall be the duty of the National Crime Agency to ensure that it is kept informed, in relation to the Agency, about all matters falling within subsection (2).\n(1B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\n(2) Those matters are—\n(a) matters with respect to which any provision of this Part has effect;\n(b) anything which is done under or for the purposes of any such provision; and\n(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.\n(2A) Subsection (2B) applies in a case where it appears to a local policing body that—\n(a) an obligation to act or refrain from acting has arisen by or under this Part,\n(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\n(c) the chief officer has not yet complied with that obligation, or has contravened it.\n(2B) The local policing body may direct the chief officer to take such steps as the local policing body thinks appropriate.\n(2C) The chief officer must comply with any direction given under subsection (2B).\n(3) Where—\n(a) a local 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 16... or 18 of Schedule 3,\n(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\n(c) a local policing body or chief officer requires the Director General of the National Crime Agency to provide a National Crime Agency officer for appointment under any of those paragraphs,\nit shall be the duty of the chief officer to whom the requirement is addressed or of the Director General of the Agency to comply with it.\n(4) It shall be the duty of—\n(a) every local policing body maintaining a police force,\n(b) the chief officer of police of every police force, and\n(c) the National Crime Agency,\nto provide the Director General and every member of the Office'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 or any review under paragraph 25 of Schedule 3.\n(5) It shall be the duty of—\n(a) every local policing body maintaining a police force,\n(b) the chief officer of every police force, and\n(c) the National Crime Agency,\nto ensure that a person appointed under paragraph 16... 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\n(6) The duties imposed by subsections (4) and (5) on a local policing body maintaining a police force and on the chief officer of such a force and on the National Crime Agency have effect—\n(a) irrespective of whether the investigation or review (as the case may be) relates to the conduct of a person who is or has been a member of that force or a a National Crime Agency officer; ...\n(b) in the case of an investigation, irrespective of who has the person appointed to carry out the investigation under his direction and control; and\n(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;\nbut 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 . . . .\n(7) In subsection (6) “third force”, in relation to an investigation, means a police force other than—\n(a) the force to which the person carrying out the investigation belongs; or\n(b) the force to which the person whose conduct is under investigation belonged at the time of the conduct;\nand where the person whose conduct is under investigation was a National 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.\n(8) Where the person who requires assistance and co-operation under subsection (5) is a National 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.\n(8A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\n(8B) 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.\n(9) Where—\n(a) the person carrying out an investigation is not a National Crime Agency officer; and\n(b) the person whose conduct is under investigation was not a National Crime Agency officer at the time of the conduct,\nthe Agency may be required to give assistance and co-operation under subsection (5) only with the approval of the relevant directing officer.\n(10) In subsection (9) “the relevant directing officer”—\n(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; ...\n(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "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"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F2",
      "text": "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))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F3",
      "text": "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)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F4",
      "text": "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)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F5",
      "text": "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)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F6",
      "text": "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"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F7",
      "text": "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))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F8",
      "text": "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))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F9",
      "text": "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"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F10",
      "text": "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)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F11",
      "text": "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)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F12",
      "text": "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))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F13",
      "text": "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)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F14",
      "text": "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"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F15",
      "text": "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))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F16",
      "text": "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))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F17",
      "text": "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)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F18",
      "text": "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)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F19",
      "text": "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)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F20",
      "text": "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))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F21",
      "text": "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"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F22",
      "text": "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))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F23",
      "text": "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))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F24",
      "text": "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)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F25",
      "text": "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))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F26",
      "text": "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"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F27",
      "text": "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))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F28",
      "text": "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)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F29",
      "text": "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))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F30",
      "text": "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))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F31",
      "text": "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)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F32",
      "text": "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))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F33",
      "text": "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))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F34",
      "text": "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))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F35",
      "text": "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))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F36",
      "text": "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))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F37",
      "text": "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)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F38",
      "text": "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))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F39",
      "text": "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)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F40",
      "text": "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)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F41",
      "text": "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)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F42",
      "text": "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)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F43",
      "text": "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)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F44",
      "text": "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)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F45",
      "text": "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)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F46",
      "text": "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)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F47",
      "text": "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)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F48",
      "text": "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"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C1",
      "text": "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"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C2",
      "text": "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))"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C3",
      "text": "Pt. 2 applied (with modifications) (22.11.2012) by The Police (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/1204), regs. 1(1), 27"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C4",
      "text": "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)"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C5",
      "text": "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"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C6",
      "text": "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"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C7",
      "text": "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)"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C8",
      "text": "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)"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/30/section/15",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-31T10:30:50.998378+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}