Part VII Police complaints and disciplinary proceedings

61 Reports.

(1)

The Ombudsman shall, at the request of the F1appropriate authority, report to the F1appropriate authority on such matters relating generally to the functions of the Ombudsman as the F1appropriate authority may specify, and the Ombudsman may for that purpose carry out research into any such matters.

(2)

The Ombudsman may make a report to the F1appropriate authority on any matters coming to the Ombudsman’s attention under this Part to which the Ombudsman considers that the F2appropriate authority’s attention should be drawn in the public interest.

F3(2A)

In subsections (1) and (2) “the appropriate authority” means, in relation to any matter—

(a)

the Secretary of State, if the matter relates (in whole or in part other than incidentally) to an excepted matter or reserved matter or to a function conferred or imposed on the Secretary of State by or under a statutory provision;

(b)

otherwise, the Department of Justice;

and in paragraph (a) “excepted matter” and “reserved matter” have the meanings given by section 4 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

(3)

The Ombudsman shall, not later than 3 months after the end of each financial year, make to the F4Department of Justice a report on the discharge of the Ombudsman’s functions during that year.

(4)

The Ombudsman shall—

(a)

keep under review the working of this Part; and

(b)

at least once every five years, make a report on it to the F4Department of Justice.

(5)

The Ombudsman shall send a copy of any report under this section to—

(a)

the F5Board and the Chief Constable; and

(b)

if the report concerns any such body of constables as is mentioned in section 60, to the authority maintaining it and the officer having the direction and control of itF6; and

(c)

if the report concerns the F7National Crime Agency, to the Agency.

F8(5A)

The Department of Justice shall—

(a)

lay before the Northern Ireland Assembly a copy of every report received by the Department under this section; and

(b)

cause every such report to be published.

(5B)

Section 41(3) of the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 applies for the purposes of subsection (5A)(a) in relation to the laying of a copy of a report as it applies in relation to the laying of a statutory document under an enactment.

(6)

The Secretary of State shall—

(a)

lay before both Houses of Parliament a copy of every report received by him under this section; and

(b)

cause every such report to be published.

F9(7)

The Ombudsman shall send to the F5Board any statistical or other general information which the Ombudsman considers should be brought to the attention of the F5Board in connection with its functions under section 2(4)(a).