Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2003
2003 c. 6An Act to make provision about policing in Northern Ireland and the exercise of police powers in Northern Ireland by persons who are not police officers; and to amend the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989.
Enacted[8th April 2003]
Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
Part 1 Policing¶
Consultation by Secretary of State¶
1 Long-term policing objectives¶
In section 24 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 (c. 32) (Secretary of State’s long term policing objectives) for subsection (2) substitute—2 Codes of Practice¶
In section 27 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 (c. 32) (codes of practice on exercise of functions) for subsection (2) substitute—The Northern Ireland Policing Board¶
3 Board’s policing objectives¶
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4 Public meetings of the Board¶
5 Contracts relating to detention and escort services¶
After section 5 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 insert—6 Funding for pension purposes¶
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7 Accounts and audit¶
8 Performance summaries¶
.
9 Performance summaries: supplementary¶
Reports and inquiries¶
10 Reports of Chief Constable¶
11 Inquiries by Board¶
12 Approval of proposals relating to inquiries by Board¶
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The Police Ombudsman¶
13 Investigations into current police practices and policies¶
60A Investigations into current police practices and policies
District policing partnerships¶
F3714 Independent members: appointment¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3715 Independent members: declaration against terrorism¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3716 Independent members: disqualification¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3717 Disqualification following removal from office¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3718 Council’s powers¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3719 Belfast¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Police functions and service¶
20 Core policing principles¶
Core policing principles
31A Core policing principles
.
.
21 Chief Constable’s functions¶
In section 33 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 (c. 32) (general functions of Chief Constable) for subsection (2) substitute—22 Provision of information to Board¶
After section 33 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 (c. 32) insert—33A Provision of information to Board
23 Appointment of constables with special policing skills¶
47A Appointments to Police Service of Northern Ireland in special circumstances
17A Authorisations under section 47A(1)
The Board shall not give an authorisation under section 47A(1) unless a proposal to do so has been approved by each member of the Board present and voting on the question at a meeting of the Board.24 Fixed-term appointments¶
36A Fixed-term appointments to the Police Service of Northern Ireland
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25 Members of PSNI engaged on other police service¶
In section 27 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 (members of Police Service of Northern Ireland engaged on other police service) after subsection (6) insert—I126 Protected disclosures by police officers¶
67KA Application of Part VA and related provisions to police
Information and inquiries¶
27 Restriction on disclosure of information¶
74A Restriction on disclosure of information
- “member of the staff of the Board” means—
- a person employed by the Board under paragraph 13(1) of Schedule 1;
- a person employed in the civil service who provides assistance for the Board in pursuance of arrangements made under paragraph 13(2) of Schedule 1; and
- “officer of the Ombudsman” has the meaning given by section 50(1) of the 1998 Act.
28 Special committee of the Board¶
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29 Disclosure of information and holding of inquiries¶
76A Disclosure of information and holding of inquiries
Part 2 Police powers¶
Designation of civilians¶
30 Police powers for designated police support staff¶
30A Community support officers¶
31 Police powers for designated contracted-out staff¶
32 Police powers: amendments¶
33 Designations: supplementary¶
34 Complaints and misconduct¶
34A Secretary of State’s power to make regulations¶
35 Liability for unlawful conduct¶
36 Notifiable memberships¶
37 Code of ethics¶
38 Assaults on, and obstruction of, designated persons¶
39 Impersonation etc. of designated persons¶
40 Designated persons: interpretation¶
Searches and samples¶
I241 Intimate searches¶
I342 Intimate samples¶
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Codes of practice¶
43 Codes of practice¶
In Article 66 of the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (S.I. 1989/1341 (N.I. 12)) (codes of practice under Articles 60, 60A and 65: supplementary) after paragraph (6) insert—Part 3 General¶
44 Orders and regulations¶
45 Repeals and revocations¶
Schedule 4 contains repeals and revocations.46 Extent¶
This Act extends to Northern Ireland only.47 Short title¶
This Act may be cited as the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2003.SCHEDULES
F38SCHEDULE 1 ¶
Belfast
Section 19
SCHEDULE 2 ¶
Powers exercisable by designated persons
Sections 30 and 31
Part 1 Investigating officers¶
Entry and search for purposes of arrest¶
Entry and search for evidence etc.¶
Access to excluded and special procedure material¶
Entry and search 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 2 Detention officers¶
Attendance at police station for fingerprinting¶
Non-intimate searches of detained persons¶
Searches and examinations to ascertain identity¶
Fingerprinting¶
Warnings about intimate samples¶
Non-intimate samples¶
Attendance at police station for the taking of a sample¶
Photographing detained persons¶
Taking of impressions of footwear¶
Powers in respect of detained persons¶
Use of reasonable force in relation to detained persons¶
Powers in relation to information about intimate search, x-ray and ultrasound¶
Part 3 Escort officers¶
Power to take an arrested person to a police station¶
Escort of persons in police detention¶
Part 4 Interpretation¶
- “designated person” means a person designated under section 30 or 31;
- “designation” means a designation under section 30 or 31;
- “the 1989 Order” means the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (S.I. 1989/1341 (N.I. 12)).
SCHEDULE 2A ¶
POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT OFFICER
1 Powers to issue fixed penalty notice¶
A CSO shall have the power of a constable in uniform to give a fixed penalty notice under Article 60 of the Road Traffic Offenders (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (fixed penalty notices) to any person who he has reason to believe has committed an offence under Article 42 or 43 of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (dangerous, careless or inconsiderate cycling).2 Power to require name and address: relevant offences¶
3 Power to require name and address: road traffic offences¶
A CSO shall have the powers of a constable—4 Power to detain etc¶
5 Confiscation of alcohol: public processions¶
A CSO shall have the powers of a constable in uniform under section 13 of the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 (control of alcohol at public processions)—6 Confiscation of alcohol: young persons¶
7 Confiscation of tobacco etc¶
8 Search and seizure powers: alcohol and tobacco¶
9 Powers to seize and retain: controlled drugs¶
9A Powers to seize and retain: psychoactive substances¶
10 Entry to save life or limb or prevent serious damage to property¶
A CSO shall have the powers of a constable under Article 19 of the 1989 Order to enter and search any premises for the purpose of saving life or limb or preventing serious damage to property.11 Entry to investigate licensing offences¶
12 Power to stop vehicles¶
A CSO shall have the power of a constable in uniform under Article 180(1) of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 to require a person driving a vehicle or riding a pedal cycle to stop.13 Power to direct traffic and place traffic signs¶
14 Carrying out of road checks¶
A CSO shall have the power to carry out any road check the carrying out of which by a police officer is authorised under Article 6 of the 1989 Order (road checks).15 Cordoned areas¶
A CSO shall, in relation to any cordoned area have all the powers of a constable in uniform under section 36 of the Terrorism Act 2000 (c 11) (enforcement of cordoned area) to give orders, make arrangements or impose prohibitions or restrictions.C216 Power to stop and search vehicles etc in authorised areas¶
17 Powers in relation to fireworks¶
A CSO shall have the powers of a constable under—18 Interpretation¶
- “a CSO” means a person designated as a community support officer under section 30A;
- “the 1989 Order” means the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989.
SCHEDULE 3 ¶
Police powers: amendments
Section 32
Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (S.I. 1989/1341 (N.I. 12))¶
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Terrorism Act 2000 (c. 11)¶
SCHEDULE 4 ¶
Repeals and revocations
Section 45
| Short title and chapter or title | Extent of repeal or revocation |
|---|---|
| Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (S.I. 1996/1919 (N.I. 16)) | In Article 243(1), the words “Part VA,”. |
| Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 (c. 32) | Section 61A. |
| Public Interest Disclosure (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 (S.I. 1998/1763 (N.I. 17)) | Article 16. |
| Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 (c. 32) | In section 25(2), the words from “but” to the end. Section 28(5)(c) and the word “and” immediately preceding it. Section 32(4) and (5). Section 63(1). In Schedule 1:
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Footnotes
- I1S. 26 partly in force; s. 26(4) in force at Royal Assent, see s. 26(4)
- I2S. 41 partly in force; s. 41(2) in force at Royal Assent, see 41(2)
- I3S. 42 partly in force; s. 42(6) in force at Royal Assent, see s. 42(6)
- I4S. 26(1)-(3) in force at 15.12.2004 by S.R. 2004/501, art. 2
- F1Words in Sch. 2 para. 22(1)(a) substituted (1.1.2005) by The Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/1500), art. 1(3), Sch. 1 para. 6; S.R. 2004/391, art. 3
- I5S. 42(1)-(5) in force at 1.3.2007 by S.R. 2007/177, art. 2
- C1S. 23(1)-(5) restored (22.4.2007) by The Policing (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/912 (N.I. 6)), arts. 1(3), 10(1)
- F2S. 30A inserted (22.4.2007) by The Policing (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/912 (N.I. 6)), arts. 1(3), 7(2)
- F3Sch. 2A inserted (22.4.2007 for the insertion of Sch. 2A paras. 2, 6, 7, 10, 13, 15, 18) by The Policing (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/912 (N.I. 6)), arts. 1(3), 7(8), Sch. 5
- F4Sch. 2 para. 2A, 2B inserted (22.4.2007) by The Policing (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/912 (N.I. 6)), art. 1(3), Sch. 1 para. 2
- F5Sch. 2 para. 8A and cross-heading inserted (22.4.2007) by The Policing (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/912 (N.I. 6)), art. 1(3), Sch. 1 para. 5
- F6Sch. 2 para. 10A and cross-heading inserted (22.4.2007) by The Policing (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/912 (N.I. 6)), art. 1(3), Sch. 1 para. 6
- F7Sch. 2 paras. 20A-20D and cross-headings inserted (22.4.2007) by The Policing (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/912 (N.I. 6)), art. 1(3), Sch. 2 para. 2
- F8Words in s. 23(6) substituted (22.4.2007) by The Policing (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/912 (N.I. 6)), arts. 1(3), 10(2)
- F9Word in s. 33(1) inserted (22.4.2007) by The Policing (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/912 (N.I. 6)), arts. 1(3), 7(3)
- F10Word in s. 33(4) inserted (22.4.2007) by The Policing (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/912 (N.I. 6)), arts. 1(3), 7(3)
- F11Word in s. 34(1)(a) inserted (22.4.2007) by The Policing (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/912 (N.I. 6)), arts. 1(3), 7(4)
- F12Word in s. 34(3) inserted (22.4.2007) by The Policing (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/912 (N.I. 6)), arts. 1(3), 7(4)
- F13Words in s. 35(1)(a)(b) inserted (22.4.2007) by The Policing (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/912 (N.I. 6)), arts. 1(3), 7(5)
- F14Word in s. 36(1)(2) inserted (22.4.2007) by The Policing (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/912 (N.I. 6)), arts. 1(3), 7(6)
- F15Word in s. 37(1) inserted (22.4.2007) by The Policing (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/912 (N.I. 6)), arts. 1(3), 7(7)
- F16Word in s. 37(3) inserted (22.4.2007) by The Policing (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/912 (N.I. 6)), arts. 1(3), 7(7)
- F17Words in Sch. 2 para. 6 inserted (22.4.2007) by The Policing (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/912 (N.I. 6)), art. 1(3), Sch. 1 para. 3
- F18Words in Sch. 2 para. 8(3)(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. 1 para. 4(a)
- F19Words in Sch. 2 para. 8(3)(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. 1 para. 4(b)
- F20Words in Sch. 2 para. 22(1)(c)(ii) 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. 2(2)(a)
- F21Words in Sch. 2 para. 22(1)(c)(iii) 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. 2(2)(b)
- F22Sch. 2 para. 22(1)(d) 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. 2(3)
- F23Words 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)
- F24Words 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)
- F25Sch. 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)
- F26Words in Sch. 2A para. 6(1) inserted (29.1.2010) by Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26), s. 116(1), Sch. 7 para. 28(2)(a); S.I. 2010/125, art. 2(t)
- F27Words in Sch. 2A para. 6(1) substituted (29.1.2010) by Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26), s. 116(1), Sch. 7 para. 28(2)(b); S.I. 2010/125, art. 2(t)
- F28Words in Sch. 2A para. 6(2) substituted (29.1.2010) by Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26), s. 116(1), Sch. 7 para. 28(3); S.I. 2010/125, art. 2(t)
- F29S. 34A inserted (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), Sch. 3 para. 93(3) (with arts. 28-31)
- F30Words in s. 34(1) substituted (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), Sch. 3 para. 93(2)(a) (with arts. 28-31)
- F31Words in s. 34(4) substituted (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), Sch. 3 para. 93(2)(b)(i) (with arts. 28-31)
- F32Words in s. 34(4) substituted (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), Sch. 3 para. 93(2)(b)(ii) (with arts. 28-31)
- F33Words in s. 37(1) substituted (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), Sch. 3 para. 93(4) (with arts. 28-31)
- F34S. 44(6) inserted (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), Sch. 3 para. 93(5)(c) (with arts. 28-31)
- F35Words in s. 44(1) inserted (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), Sch. 3 para. 93(5)(a) (with arts. 28-31)
- F36Words in s. 44(5) inserted (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), Sch. 3 para. 93(5)(b) (with arts. 28-31)
- C2Sch. 2A para. 16 modified (18.3.2011) by Terrorism Act 2000 (Remedial) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/631), art. 1, Sch. 2 para. 6 (with art. 6)
- F37Ss. 14-19 repealed (1.4.2012) by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (c. 24), s. 111(3), Sch. 8 Pt. 2; S.R. 2012/142, art. 2(e)
- F38Sch. 1 repealed (1.4.2012) by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (c. 24), s. 111(3), Sch. 8 Pt. 2; S.R. 2012/142, art. 2(e)
- F39Words in s. 44(5) repealed (1.4.2012) by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (c. 24), s. 111(3), Sch. 8 Pt. 2; S.R. 2012/142, art. 2(e)
- F40S. 44(4) repealed (1.4.2012) by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (c. 24), s. 111(3), Sch. 8 Pt. 2; S.R. 2012/142, art. 2(e)
- F41Words in s. 44(3) repealed (1.4.2012) by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (c. 24), s. 111(3), Sch. 8 Pt. 2; S.R. 2012/142, art. 2(e)
- F42Words in Sch. 2A para. 2(4)(d) repealed (1.4.2012) by Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (c. 23), s. 78, Sch. 4 Pt. 3; S.R. 2012/13, art. 2(2), Sch. 2 (with art. 3)
- F43Words in Sch. 2A para. 16(1) substituted (10.7.2012) by Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (c. 9), s. 120, Sch. 9 para. 31(a)(i) (with s. 97); S.I. 2012/1205, art. 4(k)
- F44Words in Sch. 2A para. 16(d) substituted (10.7.2012) by Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (c. 9), s. 120, Sch. 9 para. 31(a)(ii) (with s. 97); S.I. 2012/1205, art. 4(k)
- F45Words in Sch. 2A para. 16(d) substituted (10.7.2012) by Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (c. 9), s. 120, Sch. 9 para. 31(a)(iii) (with s. 97); S.I. 2012/1205, art. 4(k)
- F46Words in Sch. 2A para. 16(2) substituted (10.7.2012) by Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (c. 9), s. 120, Sch. 9 para. 31(b) (with s. 97); S.I. 2012/1205, art. 4(k)
- F47Words in s. 30A(8) substituted (18.10.2012) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/2595), arts. 1(2), 11(2) (with arts. 24-28)
- F48Words in s. 41(2) substituted (18.10.2012) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/2595), arts. 1(2), 11(3) (with arts. 24-28)
- F49Words in s. 44(5) omitted (18.10.2012) by virtue of The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/2595), arts. 1(2), 11(4)(a) (with arts. 24-28)
- F50Words in s. 44(6) inserted (18.10.2012) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/2595), arts. 1(2), 11(4)(b) (with arts. 24-28)
- F51Sch. 2A para. 9A inserted (26.5.2016) by Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 (c. 2), s. 63(2), Sch. 5 para. 4; S.I. 2016/553, reg. 2