39Liability for wrongful acts of constables
(1)The chief constable of a police force shall be liable in reparation in respect of any wrongful act or omission on the part of any constable under his general direction in the performance or purported performance of his functions in like manner as a master is so liable in respect of a wrongful act or omission on the part of his servant in the course of the servant's employment.
(2)The police authority shall pay—
(a)any damages or expenses awarded against the chief constable of a police force in any proceedings brought against him by virtue of this section and any expenses incurred by him in any such proceedings so far as not recovered by him in the proceedings; and
(b)any sum required in connection with the settlement of any claim made against the chief constable of a police force by virtue of this section, if the settlement is approved by the police authority.
(3)Any proceedings in respect of a claim made by virtue of this section shall be brought against the chief constable for the time being or, in the case of a vacancy in that office, against the person for the time being performing the functions of the chief constable; and references in the foregoing provisions of this section to the chief constable shall be construed accordingly.
(4)The police authority may, in such cases and to such extent as they think fit, pay any damages or expenses awarded against a constable of the police force maintained for their area, or any constable for the time being required to serve with that force by virtue of section 11 of this Act, in proceedings arising from any wrongful act or omission on the part of that constable, any expenses incurred and not recovered by him in any such proceedings, and any sum required in connection with the settlement of any claim that has or might have given rise to such proceedings.