Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2003

23 Appointment of constables with special policing skills

(1) The Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 (c. 32) is amended as set out in subsections (2) to (5).

(2) In section 36 (appointments to the Police Service of Northern Ireland) after subsection (3) (training requirements for persons appointed to rank of constable) insert—

“(4) Subsection (3) does not apply to a person appointed in pursuance of an authorisation under section 47A(1).”

(3) After section 47 insert—

“47A Appointments to Police Service of Northern Ireland in special circumstances

(1) The Board may if requested to do so by the Chief Constable authorise the appointment to the rank of constable in the Police Service of Northern Ireland of a specified number of persons—

(a) who have a specified policing skill, but

(b) who have not complied with the requirements in paragraphs (a) and (b) of section 36(3).

(2) The Board shall not give an authorisation under subsection (1) in relation to persons who have a particular policing skill unless it is satisfied—

(a) that the requirements of subsection (3) are met;

(b) that any further requirements which are specified by it under subsection (4) and which apply in relation to the giving of the authorisation are met.

(3) The requirements are—

(a) that there is a need for more persons who have the policing skill to be appointed to the rank of constable in the Police Service of Northern Ireland;

(b) that the need cannot be met by the appointment of persons who have complied with the requirements in paragraphs (a) and (b) of section 36(3).

(4) The Board may specify further requirements which apply in relation to the giving of an authorisation under subsection (1).

(5) Any requirements specified under subsection (4) may apply in relation to the giving of all authorisations under subsection (1) or to the giving of aparticular authorisation or description of authorisation.

(6) In this section “specified” means specified by the Board.”

(4) In paragraph 17(4) of Schedule 1 (procedure for Board decisions) for “paragraph 18” substitute “paragraphs 17A and 18”.

(5) After paragraph 17 of Schedule 1 insert—

“Authorisations under section 47A(1)

17A The Board shall not give an authorisation under section 47A(1) unless a proposal to do so has been approved by each member of the Board present and voting on the question at a meeting of the Board.”

(6) The preceding provisions of this section expire at the end of a period of two years starting on the day on which this Act is passed.

(7) The Secretary of State may by order amend subsection (6) by substituting “four years” for “two years”.

(8) An order under subsection (7) may be made only with the prior authorisation of the Board.

(9) The Board shall not give an authorisation under subsection (8) unless a proposal to do so has been approved by each member of the Board present and voting on the question at a meeting of the Board.

(10) In paragraph 17(4) of Schedule 1 to the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 (c. 32) (procedure for Board decisions) after “18” insert “and section 23(9) of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2003”.

(11) An order under subsection (7) may not be made after the end of the period of two years specified in subsection (6).