Commentary
Part 1: Policing.Consultation by Secretary of State
Section 1: Long-term policing objectives
7.This section deals with consultation on the Secretary of State’s long term policing objectives. It amends section 24 of the 2000 Act. Prior to the amendment, section 24 required the Secretary of State to consult the Board, the Chief Constable and such other persons as he considered appropriate before determining or revising long term policing objectives for Northern Ireland. The effect of the amendment is that section 24 now obliges the Secretary of State to consult the Board with a view to obtaining its agreement to any proposed new or revised policing objectives. In addition, he is required to consult the Ombudsman, the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, and (as previously) the Chief Constable and such other persons as he considers appropriate.
Section 2: Codes of practice
8.This section deals with consultation by the Secretary of State on codes of practice relating to the exercise of functions by the Board or the Chief Constable. It amends section 27 of the 2000 Act. Prior to the amendment, section 27 required the Secretary of State to consult the Board, the Chief Constable and such other persons or bodies as he considered appropriate before publishing or revising a code of practice relating to the exercise of functions by the Board or the Chief Constable. The effect of the amendment is that the Secretary of State must consult the Board with a view to reaching agreement on any proposed new or revised code of practice. In addition, he is required to consult the Ombudsman, the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, and (as previously) the Chief Constable and such other persons as he considers appropriate.
