This Order makes provision, consequential on the creation of new police authorities for the metropolitan counties and the Northumbria police area, under Part IV of the Local Government Act 1985, for continuing in their rank, as from 1st April 1986, senior officers in the police forces for those areas, notwithstanding that appointment or promotion to that rank was made, under section 4(2) or 6(4) of the Police Act 1964 (c.48), by a police authority which will cease to exist as from that date.