Search Legislation

Police Act 1996

 Help about what version

What Version

 Help about advanced features

Advanced Features

Changes to legislation:

Police Act 1996, Section 54 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 12 November 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. Help about Changes to Legislation

Close

Changes to Legislation

Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.

View outstanding changes

Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act associated Parts and Chapters:

Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):

  • s. 53B-53D and cross-heading inserted by 2009 c. 26 s. 2(1) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. S. 2(1) omitted (16.1.2012) without ever being in force by virtue of 2011 c. 13, s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 378; S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1)
  • s. 53B(3)(c) words substituted by 2017 c. 3 Sch. 14 para. 6 7(c) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. S. 53B was never inserted as the amending provision (2009 c. 26, s. 2(1)) was omitted without ever being in force by virtue of 2011 c. 13, s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 378; S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1)
  • s. 53B(6)(b) words substituted by 2017 c. 3 Sch. 14 para. 6 7(c) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. S. 53B was never inserted as the amending provision (2009 c. 26, s. 2(1)) was omitted without ever being in force by virtue of 2011 c. 13, s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 378; S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1)
  • Sch. 4A para. 2(2)(ia) inserted by 2024 c. 21 s. 24(2)
  • Sch. 4A para. 5(7)(8) inserted by 2024 c. 21 s. 24(3)

54 Appointment and functions of inspectors of constabulary.E+W

(1)Her Majesty may appoint such number of inspectors (to be known as “Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Constabulary”) as the Secretary of State may with the consent of the Treasury determine, and of the persons so appointed one may be appointed as chief inspector of constabulary.

(2)The inspectors of constabulary shall inspect, and report F1... on the efficiency and effectiveness of, every police force maintained for a police area F2... F3... F4....

F5(2A). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F6(2B)The Secretary of State may at any time require the inspectors of constabulary to carry out an inspection under this section of a police force maintained for any police area; and a requirement under this subsection may include a requirement for the inspection to be confined to a particular part of the force in question, to particular matters or to particular activities of that force.]

[F7(2BA)The local policing body for a police area may at any time request the inspectors of constabulary to carry out an inspection under this section of a police force maintained for that police area; and a request under this subsection may include a request for the inspection to be confined to a particular part of the force in question, to particular matters or to particular activities of that force.

(2BB)Where a local policing body requests the inspectors to carry out an inspection under subsection (2BA), the body must pay to the inspectors such reasonable costs incurred or to be incurred in connection with the inspection as the inspectors may require.]

F8(2C). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F9(2D)It shall be the duty of the chief inspector of constabulary—

(a)to enter into arrangements with the [F10Director General of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (“the Director General”)] for the purpose of securing cooperation, in the carrying out of their respective functions, between the inspectors of constabulary and [F11the Director General]; and

(b)to ensure that inspectors of constabulary provide [F12the Director General] with all such assistance and co-operation as may be required by those arrangements or as otherwise appears to the chief inspector to be appropriate for facilitating the carrying out by [F12the Director General] of [F13his or her] functions.]

(3)The inspectors of constabulary shall carry out such other duties for the purpose of furthering police efficiency and effectiveness as the Secretary of State may from time to time direct.

F14(3A). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4)The chief inspector of constabulary shall in each year submit to the Secretary of State a report [F15on the carrying out of inspections under this section], and the [F16chief inspector] shall lay a copy of that report before Parliament.

[F17(4A)A report under subsection (4) must include the chief inspector's assessment of the efficiency and effectiveness of policing in England and Wales for the year in respect of which the report is prepared.]

(5)The inspectors of constabulary shall be paid such salary and allowances as the Secretary of State may with the consent of the Treasury determine.

[F18(6)Schedule 4A (which makes further provision about the inspectors of constabulary) has effect.]

[F19(7)For the purposes of this section, a police force includes—

(a)staff appointed by the chief officer of police of the police force;

[F20(aa)persons designated as community support volunteers or policing support volunteers under section 38 of the Police Reform Act 2002;]

(b)staff appointed by a local policing body if, or to the extent that, they are employed to assist the police force;

(c)persons providing services, in pursuance of contractual arrangements (but without being employed by the chief officer of police of the police force or its local policing body), to assist the police force in relation to the discharge of its chief officer's functions;

(d)any other persons if, or to the extent that, they are engaged by virtue of any enactment in carrying out the activities of the police force.]

Textual Amendments

F2Word in s. 54(2) repealed (1.4.2002) by 2001 c. 16, ss. 137, 138(2), Sch. 7 Pt. 3; S.I. 2002/533, art. 2(e)

F10Words in s. 54(2D)(a) substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 8.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 9 para. 65(4)(a)(i); S.I. 2017/1249, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)

F11Words in s. 54(2D)(a) substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 8.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 9 para. 65(4)(a)(ii); S.I. 2017/1249, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)

F12Words in s. 54(2D)(b) substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 8.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 9 para. 65(4)(b)(i); S.I. 2017/1249, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)

F13Words in s. 54(2D)(b) substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 8.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 9 para. 65(4)(b)(ii); S.I. 2017/1249, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)

F14S. 54(3A) repealed (19.4.2010) by Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26), ss. 2(2), 116(1), Sch. 8 Pt. 1; S.I. 2010/999, arts. 2(d), 4 (as amended by S.I. 2010/1986, art. 3)

F19S. 54(7) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 2.5.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), ss. 37(1), 183(1)(5)(e); S.I. 2017/399, reg. 4(a)

F20S. 54(7)(aa) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 15.12.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), ss. 43(1), 183(1)(5)(e); S.I. 2017/1139, reg. 2(i) (as amended by S.I. 2017/1162, reg. 2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1S. 54 applied (1.4.2002) by 2001 c. 16, ss. 93(1), 138(2); S.I. 2002/533, art. 2(a)

C3Ss. 54-56: power to apply conferred (21.7.2009) by Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 (c. 11), ss. 29(2)(a), 58(1) (with s. 36(4))

C4Ss. 54, 55: power to apply conferred (28.1.2016 for specified purposes, 28.3.2016 in so far as not already in force) by 2009 c. 20, Sch. 5C para. 11(1)(d) (as inserted by Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016 (c. 1), s. 25(2), Sch. 2)

C6S. 54(2D) power to apply (with modifications) conferred (1.11.2022 for specified purposes, 20.2.2023 for specified purposes) by 2006 c. 52, s. 340P(3) (as inserted by Armed Forces Act 2021 (c. 35), ss. 11(3), 24(1); S.I. 2022/1095, reg. 3; S.I. 2023/158, reg. 4)

C7S. 54(2D) power to apply (with modifications) conferred (1.11.2022 for specified purposes, 20.2.2023 for specified purposes, 19.6.2023 in so far as not already in force) by 2006 c. 52, s. 340P(3) (as inserted by Armed Forces Act 2021 (c. 35), ss. 11(3), 24(1); S.I. 2022/1095, reg. 3; S.I. 2023/158, reg. 4; S.I. 2023/621, reg. 2)

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

You have chosen to open The Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open The Whole Act as a PDF

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open the Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

See additional information alongside the content

Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

Timeline of Changes

This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.

Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources