{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/police-reform-act-2002/section-16",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/police-reform-act-2002/section-16.json",
  "legislation": "ukpga/2002/30",
  "legislation_title": "Police Reform Act 2002",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/police-reform-act-2002",
  "path": "section/16",
  "kind": "section",
  "number": "16",
  "heading": "Payment for assistance with investigations",
  "text": "(1) This section applies where—\n(a) one police force is required to provide assistance to another in connection with an investigation under this Part; or\n(b) a police force is required to provide assistance to the Director General in connection with an investigation under this Part or a review under paragraph 25 of Schedule 3.\n(2) For the purposes of this section—\n(a) assistance is required to be provided by one police force to another in connection with an investigation under this Part if the chief officer of the first force (“the assisting force”) complies with a requirement under section 15 (3) or (5) that is made in connection with\n(ai) an investigation of a complaint where the complainant expressed dissatisfaction with the other force,\n(i) an investigation of a recordable conduct matter relating to the conduct of a person who, at the time of the conduct, was a member of the other force, or\n(ii) an investigation of a DSI matter in relation to which the relevant officer was, at the time of the death or serious injury, a member of the other force; and\n(b) assistance is required to be provided by a police force (“the assisting force”) to the Director General in connection with an investigation under this Part or a review under paragraph 25 of Schedule 3 if the chief officer of that force complies with a requirement under section 15(4) that is made in connection with\n(ai) an investigation of a complaint where the complainant expressed dissatisfaction with a force other than that force,\n(i) an investigation of a recordable conduct matter relating to the conduct of a person who, at the time of the conduct, was not a member of that force, ...\n(ii) an investigation of a DSI matter in relation to which the relevant officer was, at the time of the death or serious injury, not a member of that force, or\n(iii) a review under paragraph 25 of Schedule 3 of the outcome of a complaint where the complainant expressed dissatisfaction with a force other than that force.\n(3) Where the assistance is required to be provided by one police force to another, the local policing body maintaining that other police force shall pay to the local policing body maintaining the assisting force such contribution (if any) towards the costs of the assistance—\n(a) as may be agreed between them; or\n(b) in the absence of an agreement, as may be determined in accordance with any arrangements which—\n(i) have been agreed to by local policing bodies generally; and\n(ii) are for the time being in force with respect to the making of contributions towards the costs of assistance provided, in connection with investigations under this Part, by one police force to another; or\n(c) in the absence of any such arrangements, as may be determined by the Secretary of State.\n(4) Where the assistance is required to be provided by a police force to the Director General, Office shall pay to the local policing body maintaining the assisting force such contribution (if any) towards the costs of the assistance—\n(a) as may be agreed between the Director General and that body; or\n(b) in the absence of an agreement, as may be determined in accordance with any arrangements which—\n(i) have been agreed to by local policing bodies generally and by the Director General; and\n(ii) are for the time being in force with respect to the making of contributions towards the costs of assistance provided, in connection with investigations under this Part, to the Director General; or\n(c) in the absence of any such arrangements, as may be determined by the Secretary of State.\n(5) In this section (subject to subsection (6))—\n(a) references to a police force and to a local policing body maintaining a police force include references to the National Crime Agency; and\n(b) in relation to that Agency, references to the chief officer are references to the Director General of that Agency.\n(6) This section shall have effect in relation to cases in which assistance is required to be provided by the National Crime Agency as if—\n(a) the reference in subsection (3)(b) to local policing bodies generally included a reference to the Agency; and\n(b) the reference in subsection (4)(b) to local policing bodies generally were a reference to the Agency.\n(7) This section is without prejudice to the application of section 24 of the 1996 Act (assistance given voluntarily by one force to another) in a case in which assistance is provided, otherwise than in pursuance of any duty imposed by section 15 of this Act, in connection with an investigation under this Part.",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "Words in s. 16(1)(b) substituted (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. 43(a); S.I. 2020/5, reg. 2(n) (with art. 3(1)(2)(4))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F2",
      "text": "Words in s. 16 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. 22(2); S.I. 2017/1249, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F3",
      "text": "S. 16(2)(a)(ai) 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. 4 para. 3(2)(a); S.I. 2020/5, reg. 2(m) (with art. 3(1)(2)(4))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F4",
      "text": "S. 16(2)(a)(i)(ii) substituted for words (1.7.2005) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 160, 178, Sch. 12 para. 5(2); S.I. 2005/1521, art. 3(1)(w)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F5",
      "text": "Words in s. 16(2)(a)(i) 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. 4 para. 3(2)(b); S.I. 2020/5, reg. 2(m) (with art. 3(1)(2)(4))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F6",
      "text": "Words in s. 16(2)(b) substituted (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. 43(b)(i); S.I. 2020/5, reg. 2(n) (with art. 3(1)(2)(4))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F7",
      "text": "S. 16(2)(b)(ai) 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. 4 para. 3(3)(a); S.I. 2020/5, reg. 2(m) (with art. 3(1)(2)(4))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F8",
      "text": "S. 16(2)(b)(i)(ii) substituted for words (1.7.2005) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 160, 178, Sch. 12 para. 5(3); S.I. 2005/1521, art. 3(1)(w)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F9",
      "text": "Words in s. 16(2)(b)(i) 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. 4 para. 3(3)(b); S.I. 2020/5, reg. 2(m) (with art. 3(1)(2)(4))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F10",
      "text": "Word in s. 16(2)(b)(i) 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. 43(b)(ii); S.I. 2020/5, reg. 2(n) (with art. 3(1)(2)(4))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F11",
      "text": "S. 16(2)(b)(iii) 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. 43(b)(iii); S.I. 2020/5, reg. 2(n) (with art. 3(1)(2)(4))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F12",
      "text": "Words in s. 16(3) substituted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 282(2)(a); S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F13",
      "text": "Words in s. 16(3)(b)(i) substituted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 282(2)(b); S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F14",
      "text": "Word in s. 16(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. 22(3); S.I. 2017/1249, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F15",
      "text": "Words in s. 16(4) substituted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 282(3)(a); S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F16",
      "text": "Words in s. 16(4)(a) substituted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 282(3)(b); S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F17",
      "text": "Words in s. 16(4)(b)(i) substituted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 282(3)(c); S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F18",
      "text": "S. 16(5)(6) substituted (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 55, 178, Sch. 2 para. 6; S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. para. 8 (subject to art. 4(2)-(7))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F19",
      "text": "Words in s. 16(5) substituted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 282(4); S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F20",
      "text": "Words in s. 16(5)(a) substituted (7.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 6 para. 12(2); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(q)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F21",
      "text": "Words in s. 16(5)(b) 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. 22(4); S.I. 2017/1249, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F22",
      "text": "Words in s. 16(6) substituted (7.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 6 para. 12(3); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(q)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F23",
      "text": "Words in s. 16(6) substituted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 282(5); S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C1",
      "text": "S. 16 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/16",
    "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."
}