Part VI

Police and Probation Services

The Metropolitan Police Authority and its police force

Establishment, membership and duty to maintain police force
310
1
After section 5 of the Police Act 1996 there shall be inserted—

The metropolitan police force

Maintenance of the metropolitan police force
5A
A police force shall be maintained for the metropolitan police district.

Establishment of the Metropolitan Police Authority
5B
1
There shall be a police authority for the metropolitan police district.
2
The police authority established under this section shall be a body corporate to be known as the Metropolitan Police Authority.

Membership etc of the Metropolitan Police Authority
5C
1
The Metropolitan Police Authority shall consist of twenty three members (subject to subsection (2)).
2
The Secretary of State may by order provide that the number of members of the Metropolitan Police Authority shall be a specified odd number not less than seventeen.
3
Before making an order under subsection (2) which reduces the number of members of the Metropolitan Police Authority, the Secretary of State shall consult—
a
the Greater London Authority;
b
the Metropolitan Police Authority; and
c
the person or body responsible for the appointment of members of the Greater London Magistrates' Courts Authority under regulations made under section 30B of the Justices of the Peace Act 1997 (which, by virtue of paragraph 5(b) of Schedule 2A to this Act, appoints magistrates to be members of the Metropolitan Police Authority).
4
An order under subsection (2) which reduces the number of members of the Metropolitan Police Authority may include provision as to the termination of the appointment of the existing members of the Metropolitan Police Authority and the making of new appointments or re-appointments.
5
A statutory instrument containing an order under subsection (2) shall be laid before Parliament after being made.
6
Schedules 2A and 3 shall have effect in relation to the Metropolitan Police Authority and the appointment of its members.

The metropolitan police and forces outside London.
2
After Schedule 2 to the Police Act 1996 there shall be inserted the Schedule 2A set out in Schedule 26 to this Act.
1996 c. 16.
1997 c. 25.
1996 c. 16.