Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998

73 Interpretation

(1) In this Act—

• “building” includes any structure;

• “Chief Constable” means the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary;

• “civil service” means the civil service of Northern Ireland or the civil service of the United Kingdom;

• “equipment” includes vehicles, apparatus, furniture, fittings, accoutrements and clothing;

• “financial year” means the period of 12 months ending with 31st March;

• “functions” includes powers and duties;

• “Police Association” means the Police Association for Northern Ireland;

• “Police Authority” means the Police Authority for Northern Ireland;

• “the police force” means the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve;

• “a police force in Great Britain” means a police force within the meaning of the [1996 c. 16.] Police Act 1996 or the [1967 c. 77.] Police (Scotland) Act 1967;

• “police service staff” has the meaning assigned by section 3(7);

• “provide” and “maintain” have the same meaning as, by virtue of section 147 of the [1972 c. 9 (N.I.).] Local Government Act Northern Ireland) 1972, they have for the purposes of that Act;

• “senior officer”, in relation to the Royal Ulster Constabulary, means an officer above the rank of superintendent;

• “statutory provision” has the meaning assigned to it by section 1(f) of the [1954 c. 33 (N.I.).] Interpretation Act Northern Ireland) 1954.

(2) In this Act “police purposes” means—

(a) the purposes of the police force and traffic wardens; and

(b) the purposes of the Police Authority, other than its general administrative purposes.

(3) In this Act “general administrative purposes” of the Police Authority means the purposes of—

(a) providing general administrative support and assistance to the members of the Authority, including paying any remuneration and allowances to such members;

(b) employing the staff of the Authority (other than the police service staff);

(c) providing and maintaining buildings and equipment for the staff of the Authority (other than the police service staff) and for members of the Authority;

(d) exercising the functions of the Authority under section 7,

and such other purposes as the Secretary of State may from time to time direct.