§ Mr. Allan Robertsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the powers vested in Metropolitan police authorities, and those powers vested in chief constables under the Police Act 1964.
§ Mr. BrittanUnder the Police Act 1964 a police authority constituted under that Act with the duty of maintaining an adequate and efficient police force for a police area has the following powers, certain of which are exercised subject to the approval of the Secretary of State. It determines the establishment of the force; is responsible for the appointment and discipline of the chief constable and other chief officers of the force; may in the interests of efficiency retire such officers; may provide and maintain buildings, vehicles and equipment required for police purposes; may employ civilians for police purposes; may require the chief constable to submit a report on matters connected with the policing of the area; and keeps itself informed as to the manner in which complaints from members of the public against members of the force are dealt with by the chief constable. Except where it is a committee of one of the constituent county councils, a combined police authority, responsible for maintaining a police force for an area comprising two or more counties, has certain additional powers in respect of finance and land acquisition.
The Police Act 1964 places police forces maintained under the Act under the direction and control of their chief constable. He is responsible for appointments and promotions and discipline in respect of all ranks below assistant chief constable; causes all complaints from members of the public against a member of the force to be investigated; may request another chief officer to provide an investigating officer for that purpose; may, with the agreement of his police authority, make collaboration agreements with other forces; may provide assistance to other forces; may, subject to payment of charges determined by the police authority, provide special police services at places within the force area; and may appoint special constables and police cadets.
593WFor a more general account of the responsibilities of police authorities and of chief officers of police I refer the hon. Member to memorandum I of the Home Office evidence to the Royal Commission on criminal procedure—of which a copy is in the Library of the House.