Police Authorities etc
305.This Act introduces changes to some of the provisions currently governing police authorities, the National Crime Squad (NCS) and the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS). Most police authorities already appoint vice-chairmen, but this Act will make the appointment statutory. It removes the maximum age limit for membership of police authorities, independent member selection panels and NCS/NCIS, bringing them into line with the Metropolitan Police Authority. It clarifies the question of political balance on police authorities. The Act also enables police authorities, and the service authorities for NCS/NCIS, to devise their own schemes for payment of allowances, where previously they were bound by a centrally regulated scheme.