Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998

50Interpretation of this Part

(1)In this Part—

  • “the appropriate disciplinary authority” means—

    (a)

    in relation to a senior officer, the Police Authority; and

    (b)

    in relation to any other member of the police force, the Chief Constable;

  • “complaint” shall be construed in accordance with section 52(8);

  • “complainant” means the person by, or on behalf of whom, a complaint is made;

  • “disciplinary proceedings” means—

    (a)

    in relation to a member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, proceedings identified as such by regulations under section 25;

    (b)

    in relation to a reserve constable, proceedings identified as such by regulations under section 26;

  • “officer of the Ombudsman” means—

    (a)

    a person employed by the Ombudsman under paragraph 3(1) of Schedule 3;

    (b)

    a person providing assistance to the Ombudsman in pursuance of arrangements made under paragraph 3(2) of Schedule 3;

    (c)

    a member of the police force on temporary service with the Ombudsman in accordance with arrangements under paragraph 5 of Schedule 3;

    (d)

    a member of the police force providing assistance to the Ombudsman under paragraph 6 of Schedule 3;

    (e)

    a member of a police force in Great Britain on temporary service with the Ombudsman in accordance with arrangements under paragraph 8 of Schedule 3;

  • “the Ombudsman” means the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland;

  • “police officer” means a member of—

    (a)

    the police force; or

    (b)

    a police force in Great Britain;

  • “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations under section 64;

  • “serious complaint” means a complaint—

    (a)

    alleging that the conduct complained of resulted in the death of, or serious injury to, some person; or

    (b)

    of such other description as may be prescribed;

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

(2)Where a complaint is made orally, references in this Part to a complaint being referred to a body or person shall be read as references to particulars of the complaint being so referred.