Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2003

Escort of persons in police detention N.I.

23 (1) Where a designation applies this paragraph to a person, he may be authorised by the custody officer for any designated police station to escort a person in police detention— N.I.

(a) from that police station to another police station;

(b) from that police station to any other place that is specified by the custody officer;

(c) from that police station to any other place that is specified by the custody officer and then either back to that police station or on to another police station.

(2) A person who is escorting another in accordance with an authorisation under sub-paragraph (1)—

(a) must be treated for all purposes as having the other person in his lawful custody;

(b) is under a duty [F1 to keep that person under control and] to prevent the other person’s escape;

(c) is entitled to use reasonable force to keep the other person in his charge [F2 and under his control] .

[F3 (2A) A person who has escorted another person to a police station or other place in accordance with an authorisation under sub-paragraph (1)—

(a) shall be under a duty to remain at the police station or other place until he has transferred control of the other person to a custody officer or other responsible person;

(b) until he has so transferred control of the other person, shall be treated for all purposes as having that person in his lawful custody;

(c) for so long as he is at the police station or other place or in its immediate vicinity in compliance with, or having complied with, his duty under sub-paragraph (a), shall be under a duty to prevent the escape of the other person and to assist in keeping him under control; and

(d) shall be entitled to use reasonable force for the purpose of complying with his duty under paragraph (c).]

(3) Without prejudice to any designation applying paragraph 12 to a person, where a person has another in his lawful custody by virtue of sub-paragraph (2) of this paragraph—

(a) he has the same powers under paragraphs (7) and (8) of Article 55 of the 1989 Order (non-intimate searches) as a constable has in the case of a person in police detention—

(i) to carry out a search of the other person;

(ii) to seize or retain, or cause to be seized or retained, anything found on such a search;

(b) paragraphs (9) and (12) of that Article (restrictions on power to seize clothes and personal effects and searches to be carried out by a member of the same sex) apply to the exercise by the designated person of any power exercisable by virtue of this sub-paragraph as they apply to the exercise of the power in question by a constable.

(4) Article 40(2) of that Order (responsibilities of custody officer where person transferred to escort) has effect where the custody officer for any police station transfers or permits the transfer of any person to the custody of a person who by virtue of this paragraph has lawful custody outside the police station of the person transferred as it would apply if the designated person were a police officer.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in Sch. 2 para. 23(2)(b) inserted (22.4.2007) by The Policing (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/912 (N.I. 6)), art. 1(3), Sch. 3 para. 3(2)(a)

F2 Words in Sch. 2 para. 23(2)(c) added (22.4.2007) by The Policing (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/912 (N.I. 6)), art. 1(3), Sch. 3 para. 3(2)(b)

F3 Sch. 2 para. 23(2A) inserted (22.4.2007) by The Policing (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/912 (N.I. 6)), art. 1(3), Sch. 3 para. 3(3)