Police Act 1996 (c. 16)

Part IV E+W+S Complaints, disciplinary proceedings etc.

F1 Chapter I E+W+S Complaints

Textual Amendments

F1 Pt. IV Chapter I: power to apply conferred (31.10.1997) by 1997 c. 50, s. 39(2)(c); S.I. 1997/2390, art. 2(2)(j)

Interpretation E+W

65 Interpretation of Chapter I. E+W

In this Chapter—

• “the appropriate authority” means—

  (a)

  F2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  (b)

  in relation to a member of any F3 . . . police force—

  (i)

  if he is a senior officer, the police authority for the force’s area, and

  (ii)

  if he is not a senior officer, the chief officer of police of the force;

• “the Authority” means the Police Complaints Authority;

• “complaint” means a complaint about the conduct of a member of a police force which is submitted—

  (a)

  by a member of the public, or

  (b)

  on behalf of a member of the public and with his written consent;

• “disciplinary proceedings” means proceedings identified as such by regulations under section 50;

• “investigating officer” means F4 . . .a member of a police force appointed under section 68(3) or, as the case may be, section 69(5) or (6) to investigate a complaint;

• “senior officer” means a member of a police force holding a rank above that of [F5 chief] superintendent;

• “serious injury” means a fracture, damage to an internal organ, impairment of bodily function, a deep cut or a deep laceration.

Textual Amendments

F2 Para. (a) in definition of “the appropriate authority" in s. 65 repealed (3.7.2000) by 1999 c. 29, ss. 325, 423, Sch. 27 para. 97(2)(a), Sch. 34 Pt. VII (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/1648, art. 2, Sch.

F3 Word in definition of “the appropriate authority" in s. 65 repealed (3.7.2000) by 1999 c. 29, ss. 325, 423, Sch. 27 para. 97(2)(b), Sch. 34 Pt. VII (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/1648, art. 2, Sch.

F4 Words in definition of “investigating officer" in s. 65 inserted (3.7.2000) by 1999 c. 29, ss. 325, 423, Sch. 27 para. 97(3), Sch. 34 Pt. VII (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/1648, art. 2, Sch.

F5 S. 65: word in definition of “senior officer" inserted (1.1.2002) by 2001 c. 16, s. 125(3)(4)(b); S.I. 2001/3736, art. 3(a)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 65 applied (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/731, reg. 11(5)