Police Act 1996 (c. 16)

Part IE+W+S Organisation of Police Forces

[F1The metropolitan police and forces outside London]E+W+S

Textual Amendments

F1Ss. 5A-5C and headings inserted (1.1.2000 for specified purposes and otherwise on the "operative date" (as defined in art. 1(2)(c) of S.I. 2000/1095) for specified purposes and on 3.7.2000 for all other purposes) by 1999 c. 29, s. 310(1) (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 1999/3271, art. 3(a); S.I. 2000/1095, arts. 4-6

F26 General functions of police authorities.E+W

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Textual Amendments

F2Ss. 5B-6 omitted (16.1.2012) by virtue of Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 7; S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1 (with art. 10(1)(4))

[F36ZAPower to confer particular functions on police authoritiesE+W+S

(1)The Secretary of State may by order confer particular functions on police authorities.

(2)Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), an order under this section may contain provision requiring a police authority—

(a)to monitor the performance of the police force maintained for its area in—

(i)complying with any duty imposed on the force by or under this Act, the Human Rights Act 1998 or any other enactment;

(ii)carrying out any plan issued by virtue of section 6ZB;

(b)to secure that arrangements are made for that force to co-operate with other police forces whenever necessary or expedient;

(c)to promote diversity within that force and within the authority.

(3)Before making an order under this section the Secretary of State must consult—

(a)the Association of Police Authorities,

(b)the Association of Chief Police Officers, and

(c)such other persons as he thinks fit.

(4)An order under this section may make different provision for different police authorities.

(5)A statutory instrument containing an order under this section shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.]

Textual Amendments

F3S. 6ZA inserted (15.1.2007) by Police and Justice Act 2006 (c. 48), s. 53(1), Sch. 2 para. 8; S.I. 2006/3364, art. 2(b) (with art. 3)

[F46ZBPlans by police authoritiesE+W+S

(1)Before the beginning of each financial year every police authority shall issue a plan (a “policing plan”) setting out—

(a)the authority's objectives (“policing objectives”) for the policing of its area during that year; and

(b)the proposed arrangements for the policing of that area for the period of three years beginning with that year.

(2)Policing objectives shall be so framed as to be consistent with any strategic priorities determined under section 37A.

(3)Before determining policing objectives, a police authority shall—

(a)consult the relevant chief officer of police, and

(b)consider any views obtained by the authority in accordance with arrangements made under section 96.

(4)A draft of a policing plan required to be issued by a police authority under this section shall be prepared by the relevant chief officer of police and submitted by him to the authority for it to consider.

The authority shall consult the relevant chief officer of police before issuing a policing plan which differs from the draft submitted by him under this subsection.

(5)The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision supplementing that made by this section.

(6)The regulations may make provision (further to that made by subsection (3)) as to persons who are to be consulted, and matters that are to be considered, before determining policing objectives.

(7)The regulations may contain provision as to—

(a)matters to be dealt with in policing plans (in addition to those mentioned in subsection (1));

(b)persons who are to be consulted, and matters that are to be considered, in preparing policing plans;

(c)modification of policing plans;

(d)persons to whom copies of policing plans are to be sent.

(8)Before making regulations under this section the Secretary of State must consult—

(a)the Association of Police Authorities,

(b)the Association of Chief Police Officers, and

(c)such other persons as he thinks fit.

(9)Regulations under this section may make different provision for different police authorities.

(10)A statutory instrument containing regulations under this section shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(11)In this section “the relevant chief officer of police”, in relation to a police authority, means the chief officer of police of the police force maintained by that authority.

Textual Amendments

F4Ss. 6ZB, 6ZC inserted (14.3.2008) by Police and Justice Act 2006 (c. 48), s. 53(1), Sch. 2 para. 9; S.I. 2008/311, art. 2(b)

6ZCReports by police authoritiesE+W+S

(1)The Secretary of State may by order require police authorities to issue reports concerning the policing of their areas.

(2)An order under this section may contain provision as to—

(a)the periods to be covered by reports, and, as regards each period, the date by which reports are to be issued;

(b)the matters to be dealt with in reports;

(c)persons to whom copies of reports are to be sent.

(3)Before making an order under this section the Secretary of State must consult—

(a)the Association of Police Authorities,

(b)the Association of Chief Police Officers, and

(c)such other persons as he thinks fit.

(4)An order under this section may make different provision for different police authorities.

(5)A statutory instrument containing an order under this section shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.]

Textual Amendments

F4Ss. 6ZB, 6ZC inserted (14.3.2008) by Police and Justice Act 2006 (c. 48), s. 53(1), Sch. 2 para. 9; S.I. 2008/311, art. 2(b)