The Police Act 1996 (c. 16) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which defined the current police areas in England and Wales, constituted police authorities for those areas, and set out the relationship between the Home Secretary and the English and Welsh territorial police forces. It replaced the Police and Magistrates' Courts Act 1994, which in turn had replaced the Police Act 1964 (c. 48).
Contents Part I Organisation of Police Forces Sections 1 to 35 concern the national and regional organisation of the police force, with slightly differently applicable rules inside and outside London. The National Police Chiefs' Council is regulated under Section 22a.
Part II Central Supervision, Direction and Facilities Sections 36 to 58 concern the functions of the Secretary of State in setting the police forces' objectives, handling budgets, and making more detailed regulations.
Part III Police Representative Institutions Sections 59 to 64 concern the Police Federation of England and Wales and related rules. Section 64 contains the prohibition, in place since the Police Act 1919 (9 & 10 Geo. 5. c. 46), on police becoming members of a trade union which can take strike action, under the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992. The Police Federation was thought to be a substitute, given the potential for civil unrest that might develop if police stopped working to go on strike. This was thought to make the police exceptional, and as an alternative, a system of arbitration to resolve workplace disputes was instituted. The constitution of the Police Federation is set out in the amended Police Federation Regulations 1969 (SI 1969/1787).
Part IV Complaints, disciplinary proceedings etc. Sections 65 to 88 concern the rules of the Police Complaints Authority, handling complaints made against the police, and procedures for disciplinary hearings and dismissal of officers.
Part V Miscellaneous and General Section 89(1) creates the offence of assaulting a constable in the execution of his duty. Subsequently, the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018 increased the maximum sentence on summary conviction to 12 months.
Repealed enactments Section 103(3) of the act repealed 19 enactments and revoked 14 instruments, listed in parts I and II, and part III of schedule 9 to the act, respectively.
+Part I — Repeals: generalCitationShort titleExtent of repeal23 Geo. 5. c. 12Children and Young Persons Act 1933In section 107(1), in the definition of "Chief officer of police" the words "as regards England has the same meaning as in the Police Act 1964,".1964 c. 48Police Act 1964The whole act (except sections 37 and 60 to 65, Schedule 5 and the provisions of Schedule 9 other than the entry relating to the Children and Young Persons Act 1933).1967 c. 77Police (Scotland) Act 1967In Schedule 4, the paragraphs under the heading "The Police Act 1964".1971 c. 56Pensions (Increase) Act 1971In Schedule 2, in paragraph 51 the words "other than a local authority".1972 c. 39Police Act 1972The whole act.1972 c. 70Local Government Act 1972Section 196.1976 c. 35Police Pensions Act 1976In Schedule 2, paragraph 5.1977 c. 45Criminal Law Act 1977In Schedule 1, paragraph 18. In Schedule 6, the entry headed "Police Act 1964".1980 c. 10Police Negotiating Board Act 1980The whole act.1982 c. 48Criminal Justice Act 1982In Schedule 3, the entry headed "the Police Act 1964".1984 c. 60Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984In section 64(6B), the definition of "chief officer of police" and the word "and" immediately after it. Sections 106, 109 and 112.1988 c. 41Local Government Finance Act 1988Sections 64(7)(e) and (f) and 144(4).1989 c. 11Police Officers (Central Service) Act 1989Sections 1 and 3. The Schedule.1994 c. 29Police and Magistrates' Courts Act 1994Sections 1 to 26, 28, 29, 32, 34 to 38, 45 and 95.Schedules 1 to 3.In Schedule 4, paragraph 6.In Schedule 5, paragraphs 1 to 16, 21, 22, 24(b), 25 to 28, 31 to 34, 39(a) and 40(2).In Schedule 9, in Part I, the entries relating to sections 53(1), 60(1) and 60(2) of the Police Act 1964.In Schedule 9, in Part I, the entries relating to the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (except for the entries relating to section 108 of, and Schedules 4 and 6 to, that Act).In Schedule 9, in Part I, the entry relating to the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990.1994 c. 33Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994Section 141.Section 160(1).In Schedule 10, paragraphs 13, 14, 17 and 27.
+Part II — Repeals consequential on new discipline and complaints proceduresCitationShort titleExtent of repeal1964 c. 48Police Act 1964Section 37.Sections 60 to 62.Section 64 (except subsection (2)).Section 65(2) to (4).Schedule 5.1984 c. 60Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984Section 67(8).Sections 83 to 105.Schedule 4.1990 c. 41Courts and Legal Services Act 1990In Schedule 10, paragraph 22.1994 c. 29Police and Magistrates' Courts Act 1994In Schedule 5, in paragraph 24 the opening words and sub-paragraph (a).In Schedule 5, paragraphs 29, 30 and 36.
+Part III — RevocationsCitationTitleExtent of revocationSI 1995/493Avon (Structural Change) Order 1995Article 13.SI 1995/600Humberside (Structural Change) Order 1995Article 11.SI 1995/610North Yorkshire (District of York) (Structural and Boundary Changes) Order 1995Article 12.SI 1995/1747Cleveland (Further Provision) Order 1995Article 4.SI 1995/1769Buckinghamshire (Borough of Milton Keynes) (Structural Change) Order 1995Article 5.SI 1995/1770East Sussex (Boroughs of Brighton and Hove) (Structural Change) Order 1995Article 7.SI 1995/1771Dorset (Boroughs of Poole and Bournemouth) (Structural Change) Order 1995Article 5.SI 1995/1772Durham (Borough of Darlington) (Structural Change) Order 1995Article 5.SI 1995/1773Derbyshire (City of Derby) (Structural Change) Order 1995Article 5.SI 1995/1774Wiltshire (Borough of Thamesdown) (Structural Change) Order 1995Article 5.SI 1995/1775Hampshire (Cities of Portsmouth and Southampton) (Structural Change) Order 1995Article 5.SI 1995/1776Bedfordshire (Borough of Luton) (Structural Change) Order 1995Article 5.SI 1995/1779Staffordshire (City of Stoke-on-Trent) (Structural and Boundary Changes) Order 1995Article 7.SI 1996/507Leicestershire (City of Leicester and District of Rutland) (Structural Change) Order 1996Article 5.
See also UK labour law Police Act
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