Powers

Entry
23
1
A member of Her Majesty's forces on duty or a constable may enter any premises if he considers it necessary in the course of operations for the preservation of the peace or the maintenance of order.
2
A constable may not rely on subsection (1) to enter a building unless—
a
he has authorisation, or
b
it is not reasonably practicable to obtain authorisation.
3
Authorisation must be—
a
written authorisation from an officer of the Police Service of Northern Ireland of at least the rank of superintendent, or
b
if it is not reasonably practicable to obtain written authorisation, oral authorisation from an officer of the Police Service of Northern Ireland of at least the rank of inspector.
4
Written authorisation must relate to a specified area of Northern Ireland.
5
An officer giving oral authorisation shall make a written record as soon as is reasonably practicable.
6
Where a constable enters a building in reliance on subsection (1) he must ensure that as soon as is reasonably practicable a record is made of—
a
the address of the building (if known),
b
the location of the building,
c
the date of entry,
d
the time of entry,
e
the purpose of entry,
f
the police number of each constable entering, and
g
the police number and rank of the authorising officer (if any).
7
A written authorisation, or a record under subsection (5) or (6), must be kept by the person who gave or made it—
a
while any legal or complaint proceedings to which it might be relevant are pending, and
b
in any event, for at least 12 months.
8
A copy of a written authorisation or of a record under subsection (5) or (6) must be given as soon as is reasonably practicable to the owner or occupier of the premises to which it relates.
9
A copy of a written authorisation or of a record under subsection (5) or (6) must be given as soon as is reasonably practicable to any person who requests a copy and who has, in the opinion of the person who has the authorisation or record, sufficient reason for the request.
10
In subsection (7)(a) “complaint proceedings” means proceedings on a complaint made or referred to the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland in accordance with the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 (c. 32).