Part 1

Powers of the Secretary of State

Regulation of procedures and practices
7
After section 53 of the 1996 Act there shall be inserted—

Regulation of procedures and practices
53A
1
The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision requiring all police forces in England and Wales—
a
to adopt particular procedures or practices; or
b
to adopt procedures or practices of a particular description.
2
Before making any regulations under this section, the Secretary of State shall seek advice from—
a
the chief inspector of constabulary; and
b
the Central Police Training and Development Authority.
3
Before seeking advice under subsection (2) the Secretary of State shall consult about his proposal to do so with—
a
persons whom he considers to represent the interests of police authorities; and
b
persons whom he considers to represent the interests of chief officers of police.
4
A request for the purposes of subsection (2) may specify a period within which the requested advice is to be provided; and, if a period is so specified, the requested advice must be provided within it.
5
Before giving any advice in response to a request for the purposes of subsection (2), the Central Police Training and Development Authority shall consult with—
a
persons whom it considers to represent the interests of police authorities;
b
persons whom it considers to represent the interests of chief officers of police; and
c
such other persons as it thinks fit.
6
The Secretary of State shall not make any regulations under this section requiring the adoption of any procedure or practice unless—
a
he has, as respects that procedure or practice, received advice from the Central Police Training and Development Authority and has considered that advice;
b
the advice of the chief inspector of constabulary states that that inspector is satisfied as to the matters mentioned in subsection (7); and
c
the Secretary of State himself is satisfied as to those matters.
7
Those matters are—
a
that the adoption of that procedure or practice is necessary in order to facilitate the carrying out by members of any two or more police forces of joint or co-ordinated operations;
b
that the making of regulations is necessary for securing the adoption of that procedure or practice; and
c
that securing the adoption of that procedure or practice is in the national interest.
8
Regulations under this section may make different provision for different cases and circumstances.
9
A statutory instrument containing the first regulations to be made under this section shall not be made unless a draft of the regulations has been laid before Parliament and approved by a resolution of each House.
10
A statutory instrument containing any other regulations under this section shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.