Police Powers for Designated Staff (Code of Ethics) Order (Northern Ireland) 2008

Statutory Rules of Northern Ireland

2008 No. 243

POLICE

Police Powers for Designated Staff (Code of Ethics) Order (Northern Ireland) 2008

Made

4th June 2008

Laid before Parliament

Coming into operation

1st July 2008

The Secretary of State, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 37 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2003(1), makes the following Order:

Citation and commencement

1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Police Powers for Designated Staff (Code of Ethics) Order (Northern Ireland) 2008.

(2) This Order shall come into operation on 1st July 2008.

Interpretation

2.  In this Order—

“the 2003 Act” means the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2003;

“designated person” means a person designated under section 30, 30A or 31 of the 2003 Act;

“relevant function” means, in relation to a designated person, any function for the purpose of which any power or duty is conferred or imposed on him by his designation under section 30, 30A or 31 of the 2003 Act.

Code of Ethics

3.—(1) The code of ethics issued by the Board under section 52 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000(2) shall apply to the relevant functions of a designated person as it applies to the duties of a police officer, subject to the modifications in this Article.

(2) For the statement that police officers have certain duties under section 32 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 substitute—

• “A person designated under section 30, 30A or 31 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2003 has the duties imposed on him by his designation;”.

(3) For any requirement to carry out the duties of a police officer in accordance with a declaration made under section 38 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 substitute—

• “Persons designated under section 30, 30A or 31 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2003 shall to the best of their skill and knowledge carry out their relevant functions according to law, with fairness, integrity, diligence and impartiality, upholding fundamental human rights and according equal respect to all individuals and their traditions and beliefs.”

(4) Omit any reference to the use of firearms.

Paul Goggins

Minister of State

Northern Ireland Office

Date 4th June 2008

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

Sections 30, 30A and 31 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2003 give the Chief Constable power to designate persons as officers who may carry out certain functions with certain police powers. This Order applies the Code of Ethics for the Police Service of Northern Ireland, as modified by Article 3, to persons so designated.

The Code of Ethics is issued and published by the Northern Ireland Policing Board under section 52 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000. Under this Order it will apply to designated persons in a modified form, as specified by Article 3. A person designated under section 30, 30A or 31 must be guided by the Code of Ethics as it applies to him in carrying out the functions for the purposes of which any power or duty is conferred or imposed on him by his designation.

(1)

2003 c. 6.

(2)

2000 c. 32.