Part 1Powers of the Secretary of State

3 Powers to require inspection and report

(1)

In section 54 of the 1996 Act (appointment and functions of inspectors of constabulary), after subsection (2A) there shall be inserted—

“(2B)

The Secretary of State may at any time require the inspectors of constabulary to carry out an inspection under this section of—

(a)

a police force maintained for any police area;

(b)

the National Criminal Intelligence Service; or

(c)

the National Crime Squad;

and a requirement under this subsection may include a requirement for the inspection to be confined to a particular part of the force, Service or Squad in question, to particular matters or to particular activities of that force, Service or Squad.

(2C)

Where the inspectors carry out an inspection under subsection (2B), they shall send a report on that inspection to the Secretary of State.”;

and in section 55(1) of that Act (publication of reports) for “or (2A)” there shall be substituted “ , (2A) or (2C) ”.

(2)

In section 41 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 (c. 32) (appointment and functions of inspectors), after subsection (3) there shall be inserted—

“(3A)

The Secretary of State may at any time require the inspectors to carry out an inspection under this section of—

(a)

the Police Service of Northern Ireland; or

(b)

the National Criminal Intelligence Service;

and a requirement under this subsection may include a requirement for the inspection to be confined to a particular part of the Service in question, to particular matters or to particular activities of that Service.

(3B)

Where the inspectors carry out an inspection under subsection (3A), they shall send a report on that inspection to the Secretary of State.”;

and in section 42(1) of that Act (publication of reports) for “or (3)” there shall be substituted “ , (3) or (3B) ”.