Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998

7 (1) In this paragraph “relevant service” means—

(a) temporary service with the Ombudsman on which a member of the police force is engaged in accordance with arrangements under paragraph 5; and

(b) service by a member of the police force providing assistance to the Ombudsman under paragraph 6.

(2) A member of the police force on relevant service shall—

(a) notwithstanding section 19, be under the direction and control of the Ombudsman; but

(b) have the same powers and privileges and be treated in all other respects as if he were not on relevant service.

(3) The Ombudsman shall be liable in respect of torts committed by members of the police force on relevant service in the performance or purported performance of their functions in like manner as a master is liable in respect of torts committed by his servants in the course of their employment, and shall in respect of any such tort be treated for all purposes as a joint tortfeasor.

(4) The Ombudsman may, in such cases and to such extent as appear to him to be appropriate, pay—

(a) any damages or costs awarded against a member of the police force in proceedings for a tort committed by that member while on relevant service;

(b) any costs incurred and not recovered by a member of the police force in such proceedings; and

(c) any sum required in connection with the settlement of a claim that has or might have given rise to such proceedings.

(5) The Ombudsman may make arrangements for the legal representation of any member of the police force in any proceedings mentioned in sub-paragraph (4).