§ Mr. Ben ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the role of the Police Complaints Authority in relation to non-territorial police forces. [107137]
§ Mr. Bob AinsworthThe Police Complaints Authority (PCA) can form an agreement with non-territorial police forces by virtue of section 78 of the Police Act 1996. The PCA has such agreements with six non-territorial forces. Where no such agreement exists between a police force and the PCA, the Secretary of State can direct that one be reached. The PCA can involve itself in any investigation into a complaint or conduct matter that has been referred to the PCA by a territorial force.
Section 78 of the Police Act will be repealed next year, and will be replaced by sections 25 and 26 of the Police Reform Act 2002.