Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2003 facts for kids
| Act of Parliament | |
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| Long title | An 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. |
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| Citation | 2003 c 6 |
| Territorial extent | Northern Ireland |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 8 April 2003 |
| Other legislation | |
| Amends | Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 |
| Amended by | Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 |
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Status: Amended
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| History of passage through Parliament | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Revised text of statute as amended | |
The Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2003 is an important law passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It was created to improve policing in Northern Ireland. This law helped put into action ideas from the Patten report, which suggested ways to make policing better and fairer.
Laws can change over time. Some parts of this Act have been updated or removed by newer laws. For example, sections 14 to 19 were later cancelled by the Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011. Other parts were changed by different orders and acts to keep the laws up-to-date.
Contents
What Does the Police Act Do?
This Act made several key changes to how police work in Northern Ireland. It looked at different roles within the police force and how they operate. The goal was to make sure police services were effective and served the community well.
Special Police Skills: Section 23 Explained
Section 23 of the Act talks about appointing constables (police officers) who have special skills. This means certain officers might have specific training or abilities needed for particular police tasks. This section was first set to expire, but it was later brought back to ensure these special skills could still be used.
Protecting Police Officers: Section 26 Details
Section 26 of the Act is about protecting police officers who report serious concerns or wrongdoing. This is often called "protected disclosures" or "whistleblowing." It means officers can speak up about problems without fear of being unfairly punished. This part of the law became active on December 15, 2004.
Community Support Officers: Section 30A's Role
Section 30A introduced the idea of "Community Support Officers." These are people who help the police in local areas. They might deal with smaller issues, help keep the peace, or support police officers. This helps the police force work more closely with communities. Over time, the responsibility for these officers moved from the UK government to the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland.
Collecting Evidence: Section 42 and Intimate Samples
Section 42 of the Act deals with how police can collect certain types of evidence, like "intimate samples." This refers to samples taken from a person's body, such as blood or DNA. This section sets out the rules for how and when these samples can be taken, ensuring it's done fairly and legally. These rules came into effect on March 1, 2007.
How Laws Are Made and Changed: Section 44
Section 44 of the Act explains how new rules and orders related to policing can be made. It talks about who has the power to create these rules, like the Secretary of State or the Department of Justice. This section also covers how these rules are put into law and how they can be changed or updated later.
See also
- Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000
- Police Act
