Part I The Police Authority for Northern Ireland

1 The Police Authority for Northern Ireland

(1) There shall continue to be a body corporate known as the Police Authority for Northern Ireland.

(2) Section 19 of the [1973 c. 36.] Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973 (discrimination by public authorities) shall apply to the Police Authority.

(3) Schedule 1 shall have effect in relation to the Police Authority.

2 General functions of the Police Authority

(1) The Police Authority shall secure the maintenance of the police force in Northern Ireland which shall continue to consist of—

(a) the Royal Ulster Constabulary; and

(b) the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve.

(2) The police force, traffic wardens and the police service staff of the Police Authority shall form a single service which shall be known as the Northern Ireland Police Service.

(3) The Police Authority shall secure that the Northern Ireland Police Service is efficient and effective.

(4) In carrying out its duty under subsection (3), the Police Authority shall keep itself informed as to—

(a) the workings of Part VII (police complaints and disciplinary proceedings); and

(b) the manner in which complaints from members of the public against traffic wardens are dealt with by the Chief Constable under section 70.

(5) In discharging its functions the Police Authority shall have regard to—

(a) any objectives determined by the Secretary of State under section 14;

(b) the objectives determined, and performance targets established, by the Authority under section 15;

(c) the annual policing plan issued by the Authority under section 17;

(d) the statement of principles issued under section 37;

(e) any code of practice issued by the Secretary of State under section 38.

3 Staff of the Police Authority

(1) The Police Authority, with the approval of the Secretary of State, shall appoint a chief executive officer who shall be secretary to the Authority and carry out such other functions as may be assigned to him by the Authority.

(2) The terms and conditions of service of the chief executive officer of the Police Authority shall be such as the Authority may, with the approval of the Secretary of State, determine.

(3) The Police Authority may, with the approval of the Secretary of State as to numbers and terms and conditions of service, employ persons to assist the police force or otherwise to enable the Authority to discharge its functions.

(4) The Police Authority may make arrangements for administrative, secretarial or other assistance to be provided for the Authority by persons employed in the civil service.

(5) Subject to subsection (6), the following functions of the Police Authority shall be exercised, on behalf of and in the name of the Police Authority, by the Chief Constable, namely—

(a) the power to engage and dismiss employees under subsection (3), the power to direct and control such employees and all other powers and duties of the Authority as employer of such employees; and

(b) the power to direct and control persons providing assistance to the Authority in pursuance of arrangements under subsection (4).

(6) Subsection (5) does not apply to such of the persons employed by, or engaged in pursuance of arrangements under subsection (4) in providing assistance to, the Police Authority as may be determined by the Authority with the approval of the Secretary of State.

(7) Persons who—

(a) are employed by, or engaged in pursuance of arrangements under subsection (4) in providing assistance to, the Police Authority; and

(b) are by virtue of subsection (5) subject to the direction and control of the Chief Constable,

are referred to in this Act as the “police service staff” of the Authority.

4 Power to transfer staff to employment of Police Authority

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations provide for the transfer to the employment of the Police Authority of any person to whom this section applies.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), this section applies to any person who immediately before such date as may be prescribed in regulations under subsection (1) (“the prescribed date”) is—

(a) employed in the civil service; and

(b) engaged, in pursuance of arrangements under section 3(4), in providing assistance to the Police Authority.

(3) This section does not apply to a person if—

(a) his employment in the civil service terminates on the day immediately before the prescribed date; or

(b) he is withdrawn from work with the Authority with effect from the prescribed date.

(4) Subsections (5) and (6) of section 3 shall apply in relation to persons transferred to the employment of the Authority under this section as they apply in relation to persons employed by the Authority under subsection (3) of that section.

(5) Before making any regulations under this section the Secretary of State shall consult—

(a) the Police Authority;

(b) the Chief Constable; and

(c) such organisations as appear to the Secretary of State to represent the interests of persons affected by the regulations.

5 Provision and maintenance of buildings and equipment

(1) Subject to the following provisions of this section, the Police Authority may for the purposes of its functions provide and maintain buildings and equipment.

(2) Subject to the following provisions of this section, the powers of the Police Authority under this section in so far as they relate to the provision or maintenance of buildings and equipment wholly or mainly for police purposes shall be exercised, on behalf of and in the name of the Authority, by the Chief Constable.

(3) Subsection (2) does not apply—

(a) to such buildings or equipment, or buildings or equipment of such description, as the Secretary of State may direct; or

(b) in such circumstances or cases as the Secretary of State may direct.

(4) For the purposes of this section the decision of the Secretary of State as to whether any building or equipment is provided or maintained wholly or mainly for police purposes shall be final.

(5) The Police Authority may enter into arrangements with any other person for the maintenance, on such terms as the Authority with the approval of the Secretary of State may determine, of equipment used by that person; and maintenance of equipment carried out in pursuance of any such arrangements shall be treated for the purposes of this section as maintenance of equipment wholly for police purposes.

(6) Nothing in this section confers power to acquire or hold land.

(7) The power conferred by this section to provide buildings shall not be exercised except with the consent of the Secretary of State.

(8) The power conferred by this section to provide equipment is subject to any regulations under section 40.

(9) The power conferred by this section to provide buildings or equipment includes power to enter into a contract with another person for the provision or making available of buildings or equipment together with any services relating to such buildings or equipment.

6 Acquisition and disposal of land by Police Authority

(1) For the purposes of its functions, the Police Authority may, with the consent of the Secretary of State, acquire, hold and dispose of land.

(2) The consent of the Secretary of State under subsection (1) may be given—

(a) either generally or in particular cases or descriptions of case; and

(b) subject to conditions specified therein.

(3) The power of the Police Authority to acquire land includes power to acquire it compulsorily in accordance with subsections (4) and (5).

(4) Where the Police Authority proposes to acquire any land compulsorily it may apply to the Secretary of State for an order (“a vesting order”) vesting that land in the Authority and the Secretary of State may make such an order.

(5) Schedule 6 to the [1972 c. 9 (N.I.).] Local Government Act Northern Ireland) 1972 shall apply for the purposes of the acquisition of land by means of a vesting order made under this section in the same manner as it applies to the acquisition of land by means of a vesting order made under that Act subject to the following modifications—

(a) for any reference to the council there shall be substituted a reference to the Police Authority;

(b) for any reference to the Ministry concerned there shall be substituted a reference to the Secretary of State;

(c) for any reference to that Act there shall be substituted a reference to this Act;

(d) in paragraph 6(2) for the words from “the fund” to the end there shall be substituted the words “funds of the Police Authority (in this Schedule referred to as “the compensation fund”), and shall be discharged by payments made by the Police Authority”; and

(e) in paragraph 12(2) for “the clerk of the council” there shall be substituted “such person as may be designated for the purposes of this Schedule by the Police Authority”.

7 Arrangements for obtaining the views of the public on policing

(1) The Police Authority shall make arrangements for obtaining—

(a) the views of the public about matters concerning policing; and

(b) the co-operation of the public with the police in preventing crime.

(2) Before making any arrangements under this section the Police Authority shall—

(a) consult the Chief Constable as to the arrangements that would be appropriate; and

(b) consult each district council in Northern Ireland as to the arrangements that would be appropriate for its district.

(3) The Police Authority shall from time to time review the arrangements made under this section.

(4) If it appears to the Secretary of State that arrangements made under this section are not adequate for the purposes set out in subsection (1), he may require the Police Authority to review the arrangements and submit a report to him concerning the arrangements.

(5) When reviewing arrangements under subsection (3) or (4) the Police Authority shall be under the same duty to consult as when making the arrangements.

(6) A district council may make arrangements for enabling questions on the discharge of the functions of the Police Authority to be put by members of the council at a meeting of the council for answer by a person nominated by the Police Authority for that purpose.

(7) On being given reasonable notice by a district council of a meeting of that council at which questions on the discharge of the Authority’s functions are to be put, the Police Authority shall nominate one or more of its members to attend the meeting to answer those questions.

8 Provision of advice and assistance to international organisations, etc

(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, the Police Authority may provide advice and assistance to—

(a) an international organisation or institution; or

(b) any other person or body engaged outside the United Kingdom in the carrying on of activities similar to any carried on by the Police Authority or the Chief Constable.

(2) The power conferred on the Police Authority by subsection (1) includes a power to make arrangements under which a member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary is engaged for a period of temporary service with a body or person within paragraph (a) or (b) of that subsection.

(3) The power conferred by subsection (1) shall not be exercised except with the consent of the Secretary of State which may be given subject to such conditions as appear to him to be appropriate.

(4) Nothing in this section authorises the Police Authority to provide any financial assistance by making a grant or loan or giving a guarantee or indemnity.

(5) The Police Authority may make charges for advice or assistance provided by it under this section.

(6) This section is without prejudice to section 10 of the [1980 c. 63.] Overseas Development and Co-operation Act 1980.

9 Grants to, and borrowing by, the Police Authority

(1) The Secretary of State shall for each financial year make to the Police Authority—

(a) a grant for police purposes; and

(b) a grant for general administrative purposes of the Authority.

(2) A grant under this section—

(a) shall be of such amount;

(b) shall be paid at such time, or in instalments of such amounts and at such times; and

(c) shall be made on such conditions,

as the Secretary of State may determine.

(3) A time determined under subsection (2)(b) may fall within or after the financial year concerned.

(4) Subject to subsections (5) and (6), the Police Authority may borrow, by way of temporary loan or overdraft from a bank or otherwise, any sum which it may temporarily require for the purpose of defraying expenses pending the receipt of moneys receivable by the Authority.

(5) The total amount outstanding on foot of borrowings under subsection (4) shall not at any time exceed such sum as the Secretary of State may specify to the Authority in writing.

(6) Any sum borrowed under subsection (4) shall be repaid before the end of the financial year in which it is borrowed.

(7) The Police Authority may, with the prior consent of the Secretary of State, borrow or raise money on such terms and subject to such conditions as the Secretary of State may approve upon the security of any property or assets of the Authority for all or any of the following purposes—

(a) meeting expenses incurred in connection with any permanent work the cost of which is properly chargeable to capital;

(b) redeeming any loan previously borrowed or raised under this section; or

(c) any other purpose for which capital moneys may properly be applied.

10 Funding of Police Authority – ancillary provisions

(1) The Police Authority shall—

(a) prepare and submit to the Secretary of State, at such times and in such form as the Secretary of State may direct, estimates of the receipts and payments of the Authority—

(i) for police purposes; and

(ii) for general administrative purposes of the Authority,

during such period as may be specified in the direction; and

(b) submit to the Secretary of State such other information relating to those estimates as he may require.

(2) A draft of the estimates of receipts and payments for police purposes shall be submitted by the Chief Constable to the Police Authority.

(3) The estimates of receipts and payments for police purposes submitted by the Police Authority under subsection (1) shall be either—

(a) in the form of the draft submitted under subsection (2); or

(b) in that form with such amendments as the Authority may, after consultation with the Chief Constable, determine.

(4) The Police Authority shall comply with such directions as the Secretary of State may give as to the application of moneys received by the Authority otherwise than by way of grant under section 9(1); and to the extent that any statutory provision or any such direction does not require moneys so received to be applied in a particular manner or for a particular purpose, the Authority shall apply those moneys for police purposes.

(5) The Police Authority shall in each financial year put at the disposal of the Chief Constable—

(a) an amount equal to the amount of the grant for police purposes received in that year by the Authority under section 9(1); and

(b) any amount received by the Authority in that year which is required to be applied for police purposes—

(i) by subsection (4) or directions under that subsection; or

(ii) by any other statutory provision.

11 Charges for special services

The Chief Constable may, at the request of any person, provide special police services subject to the payment to the Police Authority of such charges, or charges on such scales, as may be determined by the Authority with the approval of the Secretary of State.

12 Accounts and audit

(1) The Police Authority shall—

(a) keep proper accounts and proper records in relation to the accounts; and

(b) prepare a statement of accounts in respect of each financial year.

(2) The statement of accounts shall contain such information and shall be in such form as the Secretary of State may direct.

(3) The Police Authority shall send copies of the statement of accounts to the Secretary of State and the Comptroller and Auditor General within such period after the end of the financial year to which the statement relates as the Secretary of State may direct.

(4) The Comptroller and Auditor General shall—

(a) examine, certify and report on each statement of accounts received by him under this section; and

(b) lay copies of the statement of accounts and of his report before each House of Parliament.

13 Rewards for diligence

The Police Authority may, on the recommendation of the Chief Constable, pay to members of the Northern Ireland Police Service rewards for exceptional diligence or other specially meritorious conduct.

Part II Policing objectives, performance targets and plans

14 Setting of policing objectives by Secretary of State

(1) The Secretary of State may determine, and from time to time revise, objectives for the policing of Northern Ireland.

(2) Before determining or revising any objectives under this section, the Secretary of State shall consult—

(a) the Police Authority;

(b) the Chief Constable; and

(c) such other persons as he thinks appropriate.

(3) Objectives shall be determined under this section by reference to a period (not being less than 3 years nor more than 5 years) specified therein.

(4) The Secretary of State shall lay before both Houses of Parliament a copy of any objectives determined or revised by him under this section.

(5) References in other provisions of this Act to objectives determined under this section shall, where objectives so determined have been revised, be read as references to such objectives as revised .

15 Setting of policing objectives and performance targets by Police Authority

(1) The Police Authority shall, before the beginning of each financial year, determine objectives for the policing of Northern Ireland during that year.

(2) Objectives determined under this section may relate to matters to which objectives determined under section 14 also relate, or to other matters, but in any event shall be so framed as to be consistent with the objectives determined under that section.

(3) Before determining objectives under this section, the Police Authority shall—

(a) consult the Chief Constable; and

(b) consider any views obtained by the Authority in accordance with arrangements made under section 7.

(4) The Police Authority shall establish levels of performance (“performance targets”) to be aimed at in seeking to achieve—

(a) any objectives established by the Secretary of State under section 14; and

(b) the objectives determined by the Authority for a financial year under this section.

(5) Performance targets under paragraph (a) of subsection (4) shall be established before the beginning of the period specified in the objectives in question by virtue of section 14(3); and performance targets under paragraph (b) of that subsection shall be established before the beginning of the financial year in question.

16 The Chief Constable’s strategic policing plan

(1) The Chief Constable shall, after consultation with the Secretary of State and the Police Authority, issue a plan (“the strategic policing plan”) setting out the proposed arrangements for the policing of Northern Ireland during such period (not being less than 3 years nor more than 5 years) as is specified in the plan.

(2) The strategic policing plan shall include a statement of the Chief Constable’s priorities for the period covered by the plan, of the financial resources expected to be available to him and of the proposed allocation of those resources by him, and shall give particulars of—

(a) any objectives determined by the Secretary of State under section 14;

(b) any objectives determined by the Police Authority under section 15; and

(c) any performance targets established by the Police Authority under that section.

(3) Where the Secretary of State revises any objectives determined by him under section 14, the Chief Constable shall, after consultation with the Secretary of State and the Police Authority, amend the strategic policing plan in such manner as appears to him to be appropriate.

(4) The Chief Constable shall—

(a) arrange for every strategic policing plan issued or revised by him under this section to be published in such manner as appears to him to be appropriate; and

(b) send a copy of every plan so issued or revised to the Secretary of State and the Police Authority.

17 The Police Authority’s annual policing plan

(1) The Police Authority shall, before the beginning of each financial year, issue a plan (“the annual policing plan”) setting out the proposed arrangements for the policing of Northern Ireland during that year.

(2) The annual policing plan shall include a statement of the Police Authority’s priorities for the year, of the financial resources expected to be available to the Authority and of the proposed allocation of those resources by the Authority, and shall give particulars of—

(a) any objectives determined by the Secretary of State under section 14;

(b) any objectives determined by the Police Authority under section 15; and

(c) any performance targets established by the Police Authority under that section.

(3) A draft of the annual policing plan shall be submitted by the Chief Constable to the Police Authority for it to consider.

(4) The Police Authority may adopt an annual policing plan either—

(a) in the form of the draft submitted under subsection (3); or

(b) with such amendments as the Authority may, after consultation with the Chief Constable, determine.

(5) Before issuing an annual policing plan adopted by it under subsection (4), the Police Authority shall consult the Secretary of State.

(6) The Police Authority shall arrange for every annual policing plan issued by it under this section to be published in such manner as appears to it to be appropriate.

Part III The police force

18 General functions of the police force

(1) It shall be the general duty of members of the police force—

(a) to protect life and property;

(b) to preserve order;

(c) to prevent the commission of offences;

(d) where an offence has been committed, to take measures to bring the offender to justice.

(2) A member of the police force shall have all the powers and privileges of a constable throughout Northern Ireland and the adjacent United Kingdom waters.

(3) In subsection (2)—

(a) the reference to the powers and privileges of a constable is a reference to all the powers and privileges for the time being exercisable by a constable whether at common law or under any statutory provision;

(b) “United Kingdom waters” means the sea and other waters within the seaward limits of the territorial sea;

and that subsection, so far as it relates to the powers under any statutory provision, makes them exercisable throughout the adjacent United Kingdom waters whether or not the statutory provision applies to those waters apart from that subsection.

(4) Section 19 of the [1973 c. 36] Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973 (discrimination by public authorities) shall apply to members of the police force in the discharge of their functions as such.

19 General functions of Chief Constable

(1) The police force shall be under the direction and control of the Chief Constable.

(2) In discharging his functions, the Chief Constable shall have regard to—

(a) the annual policing plan issued under section 17; and

(b) the statement of principles issued under section 37.

20 Exercise of functions of Chief Constable in cases of absence, incapacity, etc

(1) The Chief Constable shall, after consulting the Police Authority, designate a senior officer to exercise all the functions of the Chief Constable—

(a) during any absence, incapacity or suspension from duty of the Chief Constable; or

(b) during any vacancy in the office of Chief Constable.

(2) No more than one senior officer shall be authorised to act by virtue of a designation under subsection (1) at any one time; and an officer so authorised shall not have power to act by virtue of that subsection for a continuous period exceeding 3 months except with the consent of the Secretary of State.

(3) Subsection (1) is in addition to, and not in substitution for, any other statutory provision which makes provision for the exercise by any other person of functions of the Chief Constable.

21 Appointment and removal of senior officers of RUC

(1) The Police Authority shall, subject to the approval of the Secretary of State, appoint the Chief Constable.

(2) The Police Authority shall, subject to the approval of the Secretary of State and after consultation with the Chief Constable, appoint the other senior officers of the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

(3) The Police Authority—

(a) may, with the approval of the Secretary of State, call upon any senior officer of the Royal Ulster Constabulary to retire in the interests of efficiency or effectiveness; and

(b) without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (a), shall, if required by the Secretary of State, call upon the Chief Constable so to retire.

(4) Before granting his approval under subsection (3)(a) or making any requirement under subsection (3)(b) in relation to a senior officer, the Secretary of State shall—

(a) give the officer an opportunity to make, either personally or otherwise, representations to him; and

(b) where any such representations are made—

(i) appoint a person or persons to hold an inquiry and to report to him; and

(ii) consider any report so made.

(5) A copy of any report made under subsection (4) shall be made available to the senior officer concerned.

(6) The person appointed under subsection (4)(b) (or where two or more persons are so appointed, at least one of those persons) shall be a person who is not a member of the police force or a person employed in the civil service.

(7) The costs incurred in respect of an inquiry under this section shall be defrayed by the Secretary of State.

(8) A senior officer who is called upon to retire under this section shall retire—

(a) in the case of the Chief Constable, on such date as the Secretary of State may specify; and

(b) in the case of any other senior officer, on such date as the Police Authority may specify,

or (in either case) on such earlier date as may be agreed between the officer and the Police Authority.

(9) This section has effect subject to any regulations made under section 25.

22 Appointment and promotion of other members of RUC

Appointments and promotions to any rank in the Royal Ulster Constabulary other than that of a senior officer shall be made, in accordance with regulations under section 25, by the Chief Constable.

23 Reserve constables

The Chief Constable may, in accordance with regulations under section 26, appoint reserve constables and such reserve constables shall be known as the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve.

24 Attestation of constables

Every member of the police force shall, on appointment, be attested as a constable by making before a justice of the peace a declaration in the form set out in Schedule 2.

25 Regulations for RUC

(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, the Secretary of State may make regulations as to the government, administration and conditions of service of members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), regulations under this section may make provision with respect to—

(a) the ranks to be held by members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary;

(b) the qualifications for appointment and promotion of members of the Constabulary;

(c) periods of service on probation;

(d) voluntary retirement of members of the Constabulary;

(e) the conduct, efficiency and effectiveness of members of the Constabulary and the maintenance of discipline;

(f) the suspension or dismissal of members of the Constabulary from membership of that Constabulary and from the office of constable;

(g) the maintenance of personal records of members of the Constabulary;

(h) the duties which are or are not to be performed by members of the Constabulary;

(i) the treatment as occasions of police duty of attendance at meetings of the Police Association and of any body recognised by the Secretary of State for the purposes of section 35;

(j) the hours of duty, leave, pay and allowances of members of the Constabulary;

(k) the pensions and gratuities in respect of service as a member of the Constabulary (including provision for the recognition for the purposes of such pensions and gratuities of service otherwise than as a member of the police force and for the payment and receipt of transfer values or of other lump sums made for the purpose of creating or restoring rights to such pensions and gratuities); and

(l) the issue, use and return of equipment.

(3) Without prejudice to the powers conferred by this section, regulations under this section shall—

(a) establish, or make provision for the establishment of, procedures for cases in which a member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary may be dealt with by dismissal, requirement to resign, reduction in rank, reduction in rate of pay, fine, reprimand or caution; and

(b) make provision for securing that any case in which a senior officer may be dismissed or dealt with in any of the other ways mentioned in paragraph (a) is decided by the Police Authority.

(4) Without prejudice to the powers conferred by this section, regulations under this section shall provide for appeals to an appeals tribunal by members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary who are dismissed, required to resign or reduced in rank—

(a) in a case where there is no right of appeal to any other person, by a decision taken in proceedings under regulations made in accordance with subsection (3); and

(b) in a case where there is a right of appeal to another person, by a decision of that person.

(5) In relation to any matter as to which provision may be made by regulations under this section, the regulations may, subject to subsection (3)(b)—

(a) authorise or require provision to be made by, or confer discretionary powers on, the Secretary of State, the Police Authority, the Chief Constable or other persons; or

(b) authorise or require the delegation by any person of functions conferred on him by or under the regulations.

(6) Regulations under this section as to conditions of service shall secure that appointments for fixed terms are not made except where the person appointed holds the rank of superintendent or a higher rank.

(7) Where regulations made in accordance with subsection (2)(a) vary the ranks held by members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, the regulations may make such amendments as appear to the Secretary of State to be necessary or expedient to any statutory provision (including this Act) containing a reference to any rank held by a member of that Constabulary.

(8) The Secretary of State shall consult both the Police Authority and the Police Association before making any regulations under this section, other than regulations made by virtue of subsection (2)(j), (k) or (l).

26 Regulations for RUC Reserve

(1) The Secretary of State may make regulations as to the government, administration and conditions of service of reserve constables.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), regulations under this section may make provision with respect to—

(a) the ranks to be held by reserve constables;

(b) the appointment and promotion of reserve constables;

(c) the retirement of reserve constables;

(d) the conduct, efficiency and effectiveness of reserve constables and the maintenance of discipline;

(e) the suspension or dismissal of reserve constables from their office;

(f) the remuneration and allowances of reserve constables; and

(g) the application to reserve constables, subject to such modifications as may be prescribed by the regulations, of any provision made under section 25 or any other statutory provision with respect to pensions payable to or in respect of members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

(3) Without prejudice to the powers conferred by this section, regulations under this section shall establish, or make provision for the establishment of, procedures for cases in which a reserve constable may be dealt with by dismissal, requirement to resign, reduction in rank, reduction in rate of pay, fine, reprimand or caution.

(4) Without prejudice to the powers conferred by this section, regulations under this section shall provide for appeals to an appeals tribunal by reserve constables who are dismissed, required to resign or reduced in rank—

(a) in a case where there is no right of appeal to any other person, by a decision taken in proceedings under regulations made in accordance with subsection (3); and

(b) in a case where there is a right of appeal to another person, by a decision of that person.

(5) In relation to any matter as to which provision may be made by regulations under this section, the regulations may—

(a) authorise or require provision to be made by, or confer discretionary powers on, the Secretary of State, the Police Authority, the Chief Constable or other persons; or

(b) authorise or require the delegation by any person of functions conferred on him by or under the regulations.

(6) The Secretary of State shall consult both the Police Authority and the Police Association before making any regulations under this section.

27 Members of RUC engaged on other police service

(1) For the purposes of this section “relevant service” means—

(a) service in a police force in Great Britain, on which a member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary is engaged with the consent of the Chief Constable and the Secretary of State;

(b) temporary service with the National Criminal Intelligence Service on which a member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary is engaged with the consent of the Chief Constable;

(c) temporary service with the Police Information Technology Organisation on which a member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary is engaged with the consent of the Chief Constable;

(d) temporary service on which a member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary is engaged in accordance with arrangements under section 8 of this Act;

(e) temporary service as an inspector of constabulary under section 56 of the [1996 c. 16.] Police Act 1996 on which a member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary is engaged with the consent of the Chief Constable;

(f) temporary service under the Crown in connection with the provision by the Secretary of State of such organisations and services as are described in section 57 of the [1996 c. 16.] Police Act 1996, on which a member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary is engaged with the consent of the Chief Constable;

(g) service the expenses of which are payable under section 1(1) of the [1945 c. 17.] Police (Overseas Service) Act 1945, on which a member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary is engaged with the consent of the Chief Constable; or

(h) service pursuant to an appointment under section 10 of the [1980 c. 63.] Overseas Development and Co-operation Act 1980, on which a member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary is engaged with the consent of the Chief Constable.

(2) In this section “member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary” does not include the Chief Constable.

(3) Subject to subsections (4) to (7), a member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary engaged on relevant service shall be treated as if he were not a member of that Constabulary during that service; but, except where a pension, allowance or gratuity becomes payable to him by virtue of regulations under section 25—

(a) he shall be entitled at the end of the period of relevant service to revert to that Constabulary in the rank in which he was serving immediately before that period began; and

(b) he shall be treated as if he had been serving in that Constabulary during the period of relevant service for the purpose of any scale prescribed by or under regulations made under section 25 fixing his rate of pay by reference to his length of service.

(4) A member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary may, when engaged on relevant service, be promoted in that Constabulary, as if he were serving in it; and in any such case—

(a) the reference in paragraph (a) of subsection (3) to the rank in which he was serving immediately before the period of relevant service began shall be construed as a reference to the rank to which he is promoted; and

(b) for the purposes mentioned in paragraph (b) of that subsection he shall be treated as having served in that rank from the time of his promotion.

(5) A member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary who—

(a) while engaged on relevant service within subsection (1)(a), is dismissed from that service or is required to resign as an alternative to dismissal; or

(b) has completed a period of relevant service within subsection (1)(b), (c), (d), (e), (f) or (h); or

(c) while engaged on relevant service within subsection (1)(g), is dismissed from that service by the disciplinary authority established by regulations made under section 1 of the [1945 c. 17.] Police (Overseas Service) Act 1945 or is required to resign as an alternative to dismissal,

may be dealt with under regulations made in accordance with section 25(3) for anything done or omitted while he was engaged on that service as if that service had been service in the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

(6) For the purposes of subsection (5)(a), a certificate certifying that a person has been dismissed, or required to resign as an alternative to dismissal, shall be evidence of the fact so certified if it is given by or on behalf of the chief officer of the police force in which that person was engaged in relevant service.

(7) A member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary engaged on relevant service within subsection (1)(b) or (c)—

(a) shall continue to be a constable; and

(b) shall be treated for the purposes of sections 18, 32, 33, 35 and 67 of this Act as if he were a member of that Constabulary.

(8) The Secretary of State shall be liable in respect of torts committed by a member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary engaged on relevant service within subsection (1)(e) or (f) in the performance or purported performance of his functions in like manner as a master is liable in respect of torts committed by his servants in the course of their employment, and shall in respect of any such tort be treated for all purposes as a joint tortfeasor.

28 The RUC Fund

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations provide—

(a) for the establishment, maintenance and operation of the Royal Ulster Constabulary Fund; and

(b) for the payment into that fund of—

(i) fines imposed on members of the police force in disciplinary proceedings; and

(ii) such other moneys as may be specified in the regulations.

(2) The Secretary of State shall consult both the Police Authority and the Police Association before making any regulations under this section.

29 Liability for wrongful acts of constables

(1) The Chief Constable shall be liable in respect of torts committed by members of the police force under his direction and control in the performance or purported performance of their functions in like manner as a master is liable in respect of torts committed by his servants in the course of their employment, and accordingly shall in respect of any such tort be treated for all purposes as a joint tortfeasor.

(2) There shall be paid out of funds put at the disposal of the Chief Constable under section 10(5)—

(a) any damages or costs awarded against the Chief Constable in any proceedings brought against him by virtue of this section and any costs incurred by him in any such proceedings so far as not recovered by him in those proceedings; and

(b) any sum required in connection with the settlement of any claim made against the Chief Constable by virtue of this section, if the settlement is approved by the Police Authority.

(3) The Chief Constable may, in such cases and to such extent as appear to him to be appropriate, pay—

(a) any damages or costs awarded against a member of the police force in proceedings for a tort committed by that member;

(b) any costs incurred and not recovered by a member of the police force in such proceedings; and

(c) any sum required in connection with the settlement of a claim that has or might have given rise to such proceedings, if the settlement is approved by the Police Authority.

(4) The Chief Constable may make arrangements for the legal representation of any member of the police force in any proceedings mentioned in subsection (3).

(5) This section applies to persons serving with the Royal Ulster Constabulary by virtue of section 98 of the [1996 c. 16.] Police Act 1996 or section 23 of the [1997 c. 50.] Police Act 1997 as it applies to members of the police force.

30 Protection of members of the police force in executing warrants

(1) No action shall be brought against a member of the police force in respect of any act done in execution of a warrant by reason of—

(a) any irregularity in the issuing of the warrant; or

(b) any lack of jurisdiction in the person who issued it.

(2) Where any such action is commenced, the judge may, on an application by the defendant supported by an affidavit of facts, order that the proceedings in such action be set aside with or without costs.

31 Property coming into the possession of the police

(1) Where any property has come into the possession of the police in connection with their investigation of a suspected offence, a court of summary jurisdiction, on an application under this subsection, may—

(a) make an order for the delivery of the property to the person appearing to the court to be the owner of the property; or

(b) where the owner cannot be ascertained, make such order with respect to the property as the court thinks fit.

(2) An application under subsection (1) in relation to any property may be made—

(a) by a member of the police force; or

(b) by a person claiming an interest in the property.

(3) An order under subsection (1) does not affect the right of any person to take, within 6 months from the date of the order, legal proceedings against any person in possession of property delivered by virtue of the order for the recovery of the property; but, on the expiration of that period, the right shall cease.

(4) The Secretary of State may make regulations for the disposal of property which has come into the possession of the police (whether as mentioned in subsection (1) or otherwise), in cases where—

(a) the owner of the property has not been ascertained; and

(b) no order of a competent court has b