§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what statutory power he has to require chief constables to attend meetings with him on crime. [68023]
§ Mr. DenhamThe Secretary of State does not have, nor does he need, a statutory power to have a meeting with a chief constable to discuss any topic. The Secretary of State may, however, require a chief constable to submit a report to him on any matter concerned with the policing of the chief constable's police area under s.44 of the Police Act 1996.
§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what statutory power the Government have to require the dismissal of chief constables; and what powers he exercised in respect of the dismissal of the chief constable of Sussex. [68020]
§ Mr. DenhamUnder current provision, a police authority has the powers to call upon its chief constable to retire in the interests of the effectiveness and efficiency of the force. Exercise of that power is subject to the safeguard of requiring the approval of the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State has a reserve power to direct the police authority to take action; where be does so, he is required by statute to appoint an inquiry to consider the circumstances. These powers are contained in sections 11 and 42 respectively of the Police Act 1996, which carried forward powers established under the Police Act 1964.
96WThe Police Reform Bill, currently before Parliament, contains clauses designed to improve these existing powers, and to make them operate more effectively for all concerned.
The Secretary of State did not exercise his formal powers under the 1996 Act in relation to the chief constable of Sussex.