The Policing and Crime Act 2017 (Commencement No. 3 and Transitional and Saving Provisions) Regulations 2017

These Regulations bring into force on 17th July 2017 specified provisions of the Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3) (“the Act”) and make transitional and saving provision in relation to the coming into force of certain of those provisions. They are the third commencement regulations under the Act. Other provisions of the Act were brought into force on Royal Assent by section 183(5) of the Act or commenced on 31st March 2017 by virtue of section 183(6) of the Act.

Regulation 2(a) provides for the commencement, so far as it is not already in force, of section 8 of the Act. Section 8 of the Act amends the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (c. 20) to make provision for secondary legislation that would enable a mayor of a combined authority who has statutory responsibility for both policing and fire to delegate fire and rescue functions to the chief constable who would employ both police and fire personnel.

Regulation 2(b) provides for the commencement, so far as not already in force, of section 11(1) to (7) of, and Schedule 3 to, the Act, which make provision about the inspection of fire and rescue authorities in England under the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 (c. 21) and limit existing fire and rescue inspection provisions to Wales only.

Regulation 2(c) provides for the commencement of section 12 of the Act, which makes amendments to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1541) in light of the new inspection regime for England.

Regulation 2(d) and (e) provides for the commencement of amendments made by the Act to the Police Reform Act 2002 (c. 30) and enables remuneration of the Director General and non-executive members of the Independent Office for Police Conduct if they are appointed before the Independent Police Complaints Commission becomes the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

Regulation 3 makes transitional provision to ensure that the references to the Independent Office for Police Conduct in paragraph 4(2) and (5) of Schedule 2 to the Police Reform Act 2002, as amended by the Act, can be read as references to the Independent Police Complaints Commission until the provision in section 33(1) of the Act, which provides for the renaming of the Independent Police Complaints Commission, is brought into force.

Regulation 4 makes saving provision to enable the revocation of the appointment of an inspector appointed by Her Majesty in relation to fire and rescue authorities in England. An inspector was appointed by the Fire and Rescue Services (Appointment of Inspector) (England) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1120).