Part 1The National Crime Agency

The NCA and its officers

4E1Operations

I31

The Director General has (by virtue of the function of direction and control of the NCA) the power to decide—

a

which particular operations are to be mounted by NCA officers, and

b

how such operations are to be conducted.

2I1

In exercising functions, the Director General must have regard to—

a

any strategic priorities for the NCA (see section 3);

b

the annual plan (see below); and

c

the framework document (see Part 1 of Schedule 2).

3I1

Before the beginning of each financial year, the Director General must issue a document (the “annual plan”) setting out how the Director General intends that NCA functions are to be exercised during that year (including how they are to be exercised in Scotland and Northern Ireland).

4I1

The annual plan for a financial year must include—

a

a statement of any strategic priorities for the NCA,

b

a statement of the operational priorities for the NCA, and

c

in relation to each of the strategic and operational priorities, an explanation of how the Director General intends that the priority will be given effect to.

5I1

The Director General must determine operational priorities for the NCA; and those priorities may relate—

a

to matters to which current strategic priorities also relate, or

b

to other matters;

but operational priorities must, in any event, be framed so as to be consistent with the current strategic priorities.

I16

In preparing any annual plan, the Director General must consult—

C1a

the strategic partners F1and the Northern Ireland Policing Board, and

b

any other persons whom the Director General considers it is appropriate to consult.

I17

The Director General is required by subsection (6)(a)—

a

to consult the Scottish Ministers about the annual plan only as it relates to activities in Scotland; and

C2b

to consult the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland F2and the Northern Ireland Policing Board about the annual plan only as it relates to activities in Northern Ireland.

I18

Before issuing any annual plan, the Director General must obtain—

a

the consent of the Secretary of State to the plan,

b

the consent of the Scottish Ministers to the plan as it relates to activities in Scotland, and

C3c

the consent of the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland F3and the Northern Ireland Policing Board as it relates to activities in Northern Ireland.

9I1

The Director General must arrange for each annual plan to be published in the manner which the Director General considers appropriate.

I2I410

Schedule 2 (the framework document & annual report) has effect.