3. These Regulations establish a scheme for the payment of pensions and other benefits to or in respect of members of the police service in Northern Ireland.
4.—(1) For the purpose of these Regulations a member of the police service is—
(a)a constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland as defined in section 1(2) of the 2000 Act; or
(b)a constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland Reserve as defined in section 1(4) of the 2000 Act; or
(c)a police trainee within the meaning of section 36(3) of the 2000 Act; or
(d)a police reserve trainee within the meaning of section 37(3) of the 2000 Act; or
(e)a police service cadet within the meaning of section 42 of the 2000 Act.
(2) For the purpose of these Regulations a member of the police service who falls within paragraph (1)(a) or (c) remains in service as a member of the police service during—
(a)a career break, and
(b)any other period of unpaid leave—
(i)that does not exceed 5 years; and
(ii)during which the employment relationship continues(1).
See regulation 19 (periods of unpaid leave) for periods of unpaid leave during which the employment relationship continues.