20Constables: general dutiesS
(1)It is the duty of a constable—
(a)to prevent and detect crime,
(b)to maintain order,
(c)to protect life and property,
(d)to take such lawful measures, and make such reports to the appropriate prosecutor, as may be needed to bring offenders with all due speed to justice,
(e)where required, to serve and execute a warrant, citation or deliverance issued, or process duly endorsed, by a Lord Commissioner of Justiciary, [F1sheriff, summary sheriff or justice of the peace] in relation to criminal proceedings, and
(f)to attend court to give evidence.
(2)When taking lawful measures in pursuance of subsection (1)(d), a constable must take every precaution to ensure that a person charged with an offence is not unreasonably or unnecessarily detained in custody.
(3)Subsection (2) does not prejudice the operation of section 135(3) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (c.46).
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 20(1)(e) substituted (28.11.2016) by The Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (Relevant Officer and Consequential Provisions) Order 2016 (S.S.I. 2016/387), art. 1, sch. 4 para. 3
Commencement Information
I1S. 20 in force at 1.4.2013 by S.S.I. 2013/51, art. 2