Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005

47Person having powers of constable: Scotland and Northern IrelandU.K.

(1)This section provides for persons designated as mentioned in section 46(1) (“relevant persons”) to exercise the powers and privileges mentioned in section 46(2) in Scotland or Northern Ireland and the adjacent United Kingdom waters.

(2)If so agreed by—

(a)the Scottish Ministers, and

(b)SOCA,

the powers and privileges are exercisable by relevant persons in Scotland and the adjacent United Kingdom waters to such extent and in such circumstances as may be specified in the agreement.

(3)If so agreed by—

(a)the [F1chief constable of the Police Service of Scotland] or a person nominated by him for the purposes of this subsection, and

(b)SOCA,

a relevant person may exercise the powers and privileges in Scotland in connection with a particular operation.

(4)A person nominated for the purposes of subsection (3) must be [F2a senior officer (within the meaning of section 99(1) of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012) of the Police Service of Scotland.]

(5)If so agreed by—

(a)the [F3Department of Justice in Northern Ireland], and

(b)SOCA,

the powers and privileges are exercisable by relevant persons in Northern Ireland and the adjacent United Kingdom waters to such extent and in such circumstances as may be specified in the agreement.

(6)If—

(a)an agreement under subsection (5) (“the general authorisation”) is in force, and

(b)an appropriate officer of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and SOCA so agree in conformity with the general authorisation,

a relevant person may exercise the powers and privileges in Northern Ireland in connection with a particular operation in accordance with the agreement mentioned in paragraph (b).

(7)In this section—

• “appropriate officer” means an officer of or above the rank of assistant chief constable;

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