10.—(1) A member shall be on probation for 2 years from the date of his first appointment as a member, provided that, in the case of a former member of the force, or of the Royal Ulster Constabulary or of a police force in Great Britain, service in that force may, at the chief constable’s discretion, count towards the period mentioned.
(2) In reckoning service in the case of a female member who has taken one or more periods of maternity leave—
(a)where that leave has been for fourteen weeks or more, the first fourteen weeks whilst on maternity leave shall be treated as if it were service in the force;
(b)where that leave has been for less than fourteen weeks, any period spent on maternity leave shall be treated as if it were service in the force.