
1 

(1) These regulations may be cited as the Police (Recruitment) (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Regulations 2002.
(2) These regulations shall come into operation on 17th January 2003.
(3) In these regulations “the recruitment regulations” means the Police (Recruitment) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2001.
2 

(1) Regulation 2(2) of the recruitment regulations (meaning of “qualified candidate”) shall be amended as follows.
(2) For “an applicant for appointment to the police” substitute “an applicant for appointment as a police trainee or police reserve trainee”.
(3) In sub-paragraph (b) (age limits) for “is not over 52 years if a candidate for appointment as a police trainee” substitute–“
(i) in the case of a candidate for appointment as a police trainee, has not attained the age of 52 years, or
(ii) in the case of a candidate for appointment as a police reserve trainee, has not attained the age of 61 years;”.
(4) In sub-paragraph (c) (health and fitness) for “the duties of a police officer” substitute“(as the case may be)–
(i) the duties of a member of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, or
(ii) the duties of a member of the Police Service of Northern Ireland Reserve;”.
(5) In sub-paragraph (f) (tests and assessments) for “the skill and competencies required to carry out the duties of a police officer” substitute“(as the case may be)–
(i) the skills and competencies required to carry out the duties of a member of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, or
(ii) the skills and competencies required to carry out the duties of a member of the Police Service of Northern Ireland Reserve;”.
(6) For sub-paragraph (g) (panel decides whether candidate is suitable) substitute–“
(g) who is not, as determined in accordance with Part III, unsuitable for appointment as a police trainee or police reserve trainee; and”.
(7) For sub-paragraph (h) (appointment to the rank of sergeant or inspector) substitute–“
(h) who, if a candidate for appointment as a police reserve trainee with a view to service in the Police Service of Northern Ireland Reserve in a particular area in Northern Ireland, is resident in that area.”.
3 
After regulation 3 of the recruitment regulations there shall be inserted–“
3A 

(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Chief Constable shall not appoint a person as a police reserve trainee unless that person is a qualified candidate.
(2) Where a candidate for appointment as a police reserve trainee with a view to service in the Police Service of Northern Ireland Reserve in a particular area in Northern Ireland satisfies the requirements of regulation 2(2)(a) to (g) (meaning of qualified candidate) but does not satisfy the requirement specified in regulation 2(2)(h) (residence), the Chief Constable may appoint that person as a police reserve trainee if he is satisfied that that person has a connection to that area.
(3) The Chief Constable may specify the matters which he may take into account in determining whether a person has a connection to an area for the purposes of paragraph (2).”.
4 
In regulation 5 of the recruitment regulations (police recruitment agent) in paragraph (4) (Chief Constable to determine terms and conditions, with the approval of the Board) the words “with the approval of the Policing Board” shall be omitted.
5 

(1) Regulation 6 of the recruitment regulations (advertising of vacancies) shall be amended as follows.
(2) In paragraph (1) (notice of vacancies to be published) for “trainee members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and trainee part time members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland Reserve” substitute “police trainees and police reserve trainees”.
(3) In paragraph (2) (agent to have regard to recommendations of the Report of the Independent Commission on Policing for Northern Ireland) for “to the recommendations contained in paragraph 15.8 of the Report of the Independent Commission” substitute–“
(a) in the case of vacancies for police trainees, to the recommendations contained in paragraph 15.8 of the Report of the Independent Commission;
(b) in the case of vacancies for police reserve trainees, to the first of the two recommendations contained in that paragraph”.
6 
In regulation 10(3) of the recruitment regulations (reports by independent community observers)–
(a) in sub-paragraph (b) (reports to deal with whether same procedures are being applied to all candidates) at the end there shall be added “for appointment as police trainees; and”; and
(b) after sub-paragraph (b) there shall be added–“
(c) whether, so far as practical, the same procedures are being applied to all candidates for appointment as police reserve trainees.”.
7 

(1) Regulation 12 of the recruitment regulations (vetting panel) shall be amended as follows.
(2) In paragraph (1) (function of vetting panel) after “decide” insert “, in any case which is referred to it,”.
(3) After paragraph (1) insert–“
(1A) No decision may be made that a candidate is unsuitable for appointment as a police trainee or police reserve trainee, except–
(a) by the vetting panel, or
(b) in accordance with regulation 13(7).”.
(4) In paragraph (4) (matters which vetting panel may take into account) for “the panel established under paragraph (1) may take” substitute “may be taken.”.
Paul Murphy
One of Her Majesty’s Principal Secretaries of State
Northern Ireland Office
12th December 2002