36.Sections 26 and 27 make provision for police staff. Section 26 provides the SPA with a power to appoint police staff to assist in the carrying out of police functions. The chief constable has power to make such appointments on behalf of the SPA. Police staff can be employed by the SPA or provided to the SPA under contract with a third party. Under section 27 police staff may be employed on terms and conditions determined by the SPA and the SPA may pay or make arrangements for contributing to and paying pensions of police staff.