Police Reform Act 2002
Police Reform Act 2002 (2002 c. 30)
- Police Reform Act 2002 (2002 c. 30)
- Part 1 Powers of the Secretary of State
- 1 National Policing Plan
- 2 Codes of practice for chief officers
- 3 Powers to require inspection and report
- 4 Directions to police authorities
- 5 Directions as to action plans
- 6 Regulation of equipment
- 7 Regulation of procedures and practices
- 8 Equivalent provision for NCIS and NCS
- Part 2 Complaints and Misconduct
- The Independent Office for Police Conduct
- 9 The Independent Office for Police Conduct
- 10 General functions of the Director General
- 10A General functions of the Office
- 10B Efficiency etc in exercise of functions
- 10C Strategy for exercise of functions
- 10D Code of practice
- 11 Reports to the Secretary of State
- Application of Part 2
- 12 Complaints, matters and persons to which Part 2 applies
- Handling of complaints , conduct matters and DSI mattersetc.
- 13 Handling of complaints, conduct matters and DSI mattersetc.
- 13A Local policing bodies: functions in relation to complaints
- 13B Power of the Director General to require re-investigation
- 14 Direction and control matters
- Co-operation, assistance and information
- 15 General duties of local policing bodies, chief officers and inspectors
- 16 Payment for assistance with investigations
- 16A Investigations: National Policing Improvement Agency involvement
- 17 Provision of information to the Director General
- 18 Inspections of police premises on behalf of the Director General
- 19 Use of investigatory powers by or on behalf of the Director General
- 20 Duty to keep the complainant informed
- 21 Duty to provide information for other persons
- 21A Restriction on disclosure of sensitive information
- 21B Provision of sensitive information to the Director General and certain investigators
- Guidance and regulations
- 22 Power of the Director General to issue guidance
- 23 Regulations
- 24 Consultation on regulations
- Conduct of persons in other forms of police service
- 25 NCIS and NCS
- 26 Forces maintained otherwise than by local policing bodies
- 26A Serious Organised Crime Agency
- 26B National Policing Improvement Agency
- 26BA College of Policing
- 26C The National Crime Agency
- 26CA Enforcement officers appointed under Employment Rights Act 2025
- 26D Labour abuse prevention officers
- 26E Food crime officers
- 26F The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery
- 26G Public sector fraud investigators
- 26H DWP investigators
- 27 Conduct of the Office's staff
- Transitional provisions
- 28 Transitional arrangements connected with establishing the Commission etc.
- 28A Application of Part 2 to old cases
- Interpretation of Part 2
- 29 Interpretation of Part 2
- Part 2A Super-complaints
- 29A Power to make super-complaints
- 29B Bodies who may make super-complaints
- 29C Regulations about super-complaints
- Part 2B Investigation of concerns raised by whistle-blowers
- 29D Power to investigate concerns raised by whistle-blowers
- 29E Director General's powers and duties on decision not to investigate
- 29F Special provision for “conduct matters”
- 29G Special provision for “DSI matters”
- 29H Director General's powers and duties where whistle-blower is deceased
- 29I Duty to keep whistle-blowers informed
- 29J Protection of anonymity of whistle-blowers
- 29K Other restrictions on disclosure of information
- 29L Application of provisions of Part 2
- 29M Regulation-making powers: consultation
- 29N Interpretation
- Part 3 Removal, suspension and disciplining of police officers
- Removal and suspension of senior officers
- 30 Resignation in the interests of efficiency and effectiveness
- 31 Procedural requirements for removal of senior officers
- 32 Suspension of senior officers
- 33 Removal etc. of senior officers at the instance of the Secretary of State
- 34 Regulations concerning procedure for removal of senior officers
- Disciplinary proceedings and protected disclosures
- 35 Disciplinary regulations for special constables
- 36 Conduct of disciplinary proceedings
- 37 Protected disclosures by police officers
- Part 4 Police powers etc.
- Chapter 1 Exercise of police powers etc. by civilians
- 38 Police powers for civilian staffand volunteers
- 38A Standard powers and duties of community support officers
- 38B Police powers for civilian employees under collaboration agreements
- 38C Designations under section 38B: supplementary provision
- 39 Police powers for contracted-out staff
- 40 Community safety accreditation schemes
- 41 Accreditation under community safety accreditation schemes
- 41A Accreditation of weights and measures inspectors
- 41B Power to apply accreditation provisions
- 42 Supplementary provisions relating to designations and accreditations
- 43 Railway safety accreditation scheme
- 44 Removal of restriction on powers conferred on traffic wardens
- 45 Code of practice relating to chief officers’ powers under Chapter 1
- 46 Offences against designated and accredited persons etc.
- 47 Interpretation of Chapter 1
- Chapter 2 Provisions modifying and supplementing police powers
- Powers of arrest
- 48 Offences for which a person may be arrested without a warrant
- 49 Power of arrest in relation to failure to stop a vehicle
- Power to require name and address
- 50 Persons engaging in anti-social behaviour
- Persons in police detention
- 51 Independent custody visitors for places of detention
- 52 Detention reviews for detained persons who are asleep
- 53 Persons suspected of offences connected with transport systems
- Blood specimens
- 54 Persons authorised to take intimate samples from persons in police detention
- 55 Extension of role of health care professionals
- 56 Specimens taken from persons incapable of consenting
- 57 Use of specimens taken from persons incapable of consenting
- 58 Equivalent provision for offences connected with transport systems
- Seizure of motor vehicles
- 59 Vehicles used in manner causing alarm, distress or annoyance
- 60 Retention etc. of vehicles seized under section 59
- Anti-social behaviour
- 61 Anti-social behaviour orders
- 62 Power of Secretary of State to add to relevant authorities
- 63 Orders in county court proceedings
- 64 Orders on conviction in criminal proceedings
- 65 Interim orders
- 66 Consultation requirements
- Sex offenders
- 67 Sex offenders: England and Wales
- 68 Interim orders for sex offenders: England and Wales
- 69 Sex offender orders made in Scotland or Northern Ireland
- 70 Sex offenders: Scotland
- 71 Sex offender orders made in England and Wales or Northern Ireland
- 72 Sex offenders: Northern Ireland
- 73 Interim orders for sex offenders: Northern Ireland
- 74 Sex offender orders made in England and Wales or Scotland
- The British Transport Police
- 75 Removal of truants to designated places
- 76 Amendments to Part 3 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
- Property in possession of NCS
- 77 Application of the Police (Property) Act 1897 to NCS
- Part 5 The Ministry of Defence Police
- 78 Ministry of Defence police serving with other forces
- 79 Disciplinary matters
- 80 Functions of inspectors of constabulary
- 81 Exemptions from firearms legislation
- Part 6 Miscellaneous
- Appointment and attestation of police officers etc.
- 82 Nationality requirements applicable to police officers etc.
- 83 Attestation of constables
- 84 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 85 Director General of NCIS
- 86 Police members of NCIS
- 87 Police members of NCS
- 88 Regulations for NCIS
- 89 Regulations for NCS
- 90 Supplementary provisions about police membership of NCIS
- 91 Supplementary provisions about police membership of NCS
- Bodies with functions in relation to the police
- 92 Police authorities to produce three-year strategy plans
- 93 Quorum for the Service Authorities under the 1997 Act
- 94 Expenses of members of police authorities etc.
- 95 Duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
- 96 President of ACPO
- 97 Crime and disorder reduction partnerships
- 98 Secretary of State’s functions in relation to strategies
- 99 Power to modify functions and structure of PITO
- 100 Metropolitan Police Authority housing
- 101 Provision of goods and services by police authorities
- Liability for unlawful acts of constables etc.
- 102 Liability for wrongful acts of constables etc.
- International joint investigation teams
- 103 Liability in respect of members of teams
- 104 Assaults on members of teams
- Part 7 Supplemental
- 105 Powers of Secretary of State to make orders and regulations
- 106 General interpretation
- 107 Consequential amendments and repeals
- 108 Short title, commencement and extent
- SCHEDULES
- Introductory
- Codes of Practice for Directors General
- Directions to Service Authorities
- Directions as to action plans
- Procedure for giving directions
- National Crime Squad equipment
- Procedures and practices of the National Crime Squad
- SCHEDULE 2 The Independent Office for Police Conduct
- Director General
- Appointment of members
- Terms of appointment etc: non-executive members
- Terms of appointment etc: employee members
- Deputy Chairmen
- Director General: vacancy or incapacity
- Remuneration, pensions etc. of members
- The Chief Executive
- Staff
- Delegation of functions
- Superannuation and insurance
- Liability for acts of the Director General
- Liability for acts of seconded staff
- Power ... to set up regional offices
- Proceedings
- Authentication of the Office's seal
- Evidence of documents
- Payments by the Secretary of State
- Other receipts by the Office
- Borrowing
- Accounts
- Financial year of the Office
- SCHEDULE 3 Handling of Complaints and Conduct matters etc.
- Part 1 Handling of complaints
- Duties to preserve evidence relating to complaints
- Initial handling and recording of complaints
- ...
- Reference of complaints to the Director General
- Power of Director General to treat complaint as having been referred
- Duties of Director General on references under paragraph 4
- Handling of complaints by the appropriate authority
- Reviews relating to complaints dealt with other than by investigation
- ...
- ...
- ...
- Part 2 Handling of conduct matters
- Conduct matters arising in civil proceedings
- Recording etc. of conduct matters in other cases
- Duties to preserve evidence relating to conduct matters
- Reference of conduct matters to the Director General
- Power of Director General to treat conduct matter as having been referred
- Duties of Director General on references under paragraph 13
- Part 2A handling of death and serious injury (DSI) matters
- Duty to record DSI matters
- Duty to preserve evidence relating to DSI matters
- Reference of DSI matters to the Director General
- Power of Director General to treat DSI matter as having been referred
- Duties of Director General on references under paragraph 14C
- Part 3 Investigations and subsequent proceedings
- Power of the Director General to determine the form of an investigation
- Investigations by the appropriate authority on its own behalf
- ...
- Investigations directed by the Director General
- Investigations by the Director General...
- Investigations by the Director General: power to serve information notice
- Failure to comply with information notice
- Appeals against information notices
- Sensitive information: restriction on further disclosure
- Investigations by the Director General: power of seizure
- Further provision about seizure under paragraph 19ZE
- Investigations by the Director General: power of retention
- Further provision about things retained under paragraph 19ZG
- Special procedure where investigation relates to police officer or special constable
- Assessment of seriousness of conduct under investigation
- Duty to consider submissions from person whose conduct is being investigated
- Interview of person whose conduct is being investigated
- Duty to provide certain information to appropriate authority
- Interview of persons serving with the police etc during certain investigations
- Restrictions on proceedings pending the conclusion of an investigation
- Accelerated procedure in special cases
- Investigations managed or carried out by Commission: action by appropriate authority
- Investigations managed or carried out by Commission: action by Commission
- Investigations managed or carried out by Commission: action by Commission
- Other investigations: action by appropriate authority
- Other investigations: action by appropriate authority
- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- Special cases: recommendation or direction of Commission
- Special cases: recommendation or direction of Commission
- ...
- Procedure where conduct matter is revealed during investigation of DSI matter
- Final reports on investigations: complaints, conduct matters and certain DSI matters
- Action by the Director General in relation to an investigation report under paragraph 22
- Action by the appropriate authority in response to an investigation report under paragraph 22
- Final reports on investigations: other DSI matters
- Action by the Director General in relation to an investigation report under paragraph 24A
- Reviews... with respect to an investigation
- Information for complainant about disciplinary recommendations
- Re-investigations following a review
- Duties with respect to disciplinary proceedings etc
- Information for complainant about disciplinary recommendations
- Recommendations by the Director General or a local policing body
- Recommendations by the Director General
- Response to recommendation
- Minor definitions
- Reviews: the relevant review body
- SCHEDULE 3A Whistle-blowing investigations: procedure
- Designation of persons to take part in investigation
- Protection of anonymity
- Powers to obtain information etc
- Procedure where conduct matter is revealed during investigation
- Procedure where DSI matter is revealed during investigation
- Conclusion of investigation
- Power of Director General to make recommendations
- SCHEDULE 3B Designations under section 38
- Part 1 Excluded powers and duties of constables
- Part 2 Application of legislation
- SCHEDULE 3C Designations under section 38: additional powers and duties
- Introduction
- Powers to issue fixed penalty notices
- Powers to require names and addresses
- Powers to search for and seize alcohol and tobacco
- Powers to seize and detain: controlled drugs
- Powers to seize and detain: psychoactive substances
- Powers to detain pending arrival of a constable etc
- Powers to search etc individuals detained under paragraph 7
- Persons detained under paragraph 7: park trading offences
- Road traffic
- Power to use reasonable force
- SCHEDULE 4 Powers exercisable by contracted-out staff
- Part 1 Community Support Officers
- Powers to issue fixed penalty notices
- Power to issue community protection notices
- Power to require name and address
- Power to detain etc.
- Powers to search individuals and to seize and retain items
- General power of seizure
- Power to require name and address of person acting in an anti-social manner
- Power to require name and address: road traffic offences
- Power to require name and address etc: charity collectors
- Power to use reasonable force to detain person
- Power to disperse groups and remove young persons to their place of residence
- Power to disperse groups and remove young persons to their place of residence
- Power to remove truants and excluded pupils to designated premises etc.
- Alcohol consumption in restricted areas
- Power to serve closure notice for licensed premises persistently selling to children
- Confiscation of alcohol
- Confiscation of tobacco etc.
- Search and seizure powers: alcohol and tobacco
- Powers to seize and detain: controlled drugs
- Powers to seize and detain: controlled drugs
- Park Trading offences
- Powers to seize and detain: psychoactive substances
- Entry to save life or limb or prevent serious damage to property
- Entry to investigate licensing offences
- Seizure of vehicles used to cause alarm etc.
- Abandoned vehicles
- Power to stop vehicle for testing
- Power to stop cycles
- Power to control traffic for purposes other than escorting a load of exceptional dimensions
- Power to control traffic for purposes of escorting a load of exceptional dimensions
- Carrying out of road checks
- Power to place traffic signs
- Cordoned areas
- Power to stop and search vehicles etc. in authorised areas
- Photographing of persons arrested, detained or given fixed penalty notices
- Power to modify paragraph 1(2A)
- Part 2 Investigating Officers
- Search warrants
- Access to excluded and special procedure material
- Entry and search after arrest
- Entry and search for evidence of nationality after arrest
- General power of seizure
- Access and copying in the case of things seized by constables
- Arrest at a police station for another offence
- Power to transfer persons into custody of investigating officers
- Powers in respect of detained persons
- Power to require arrested person to account for certain matters
- Extended powers of seizure
- Persons accompanying investigating officers
- Part 3 Detention Officers
- Attendance at police station for fingerprinting
- Non-intimate searches of detained persons
- Searches and examinations to ascertain identity
- Searches of persons answering to live link bail
- Intimate searches of detained persons
- Fingerprinting without consent
- Warnings about intimate samples
- Non-intimate samples
- Attendance at police station for the taking of a sample
- Photographing persons in police detention
- Taking of impressions of footwear
- Powers in respect of detained persons
- Part 4 Escort Officers
- Power to take an arrested person to a police station
- Escort of persons in police detention
- Exercise of functions of custody officers
- Powers in respect of detained persons
- Part 5 Interpretation of Schedule
- SCHEDULE 5 Powers exercisable by accredited persons
- Power to issue fixed penalty notices
- Power to require giving of name and address
- Power to require name and address of person engaging in anti-social behaviour
- Power to require name and address: road traffic offences
- Alcohol consumption in designated public places
- Confiscation of alcohol
- Confiscation of tobacco etc.
- Abandoned vehicles
- Power to stop vehicle for testing
- Power to stop cycles
- Power to control traffic for purposes other than escorting a load of exceptional dimensions
- Power to control traffic for purposes of escorting a load of exceptional dimensions
- Photographing of persons given fixed penalty notices
- Power to modify paragraph 1(2A)
- Meaning of “relevant police area”
- SCHEDULE 5A Powers exercisable by accredited inspectors
- Power to issue fixed penalty notices
- Power to require giving of name and address
- Photographing of persons given fixed penalty notices
- Interpretation
- SCHEDULE 7 Minor and Consequential Amendments
- Police (Scotland) Act 1967
- Superannuation Act 1972
- Juries Act 1974
- Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
- House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975
- Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975
- The Police Pensions Act 1976
- Rehabilitation of Offenders (Northern Ireland) Order 1978
- The 1984 Act
- Prosecution of Offences Act 1985
- Road Traffic Act 1988
- Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990
- The 1996 Act
- Justices of the Peace Act 1997
- The 1997 Act
- Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998
- Freedom of Information Act 2000
- Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001
- SCHEDULE 8 Repeals
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