7.—(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) If, in the opinion of the chief constable, the said period of probation was seriously interrupted by a period of absence from duty by reason of injury or illness, the chief constable may, at his discretion, extend the period of probation for such longer period, not exceeding 12 months, as he determines in the circumstances of the particular case.