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[F.A.Q.]
Papua New Guinea Consolidated Legislation |
No. 37 of 1998.
Certified on: / /20 .
INDEPENDENT
STATE OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA.
No. 37 of 1998.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS.
1. Compliance with Constitutional requirements.
2. Interpretation.
3. Application of this Act.
4. Appointment of members of Force.
5. Power of command.
6. Training of prospective members of the Force.
7. Composition, etc., of Force.
8. Commandant.
9. Appointment of Commissioner.
10. Procedure when conduct of Commissioner called into question.
11. Preservation of rights.
12. Declaration of office.
13. Reports.
14. Powers of Commissioner.
15. Annual report.
16. Vesting of powers of members of the Force.
17. Delegation.
18. Application of this part.
19. Disciplinary officers.
20. Disciplinary offences.
21. Dealing with minor offences.
22. Penalties for minor offences.
23. Dealing with serious offences.
24. Determination of charge.
25. Imposition of penalty where charge sustained.
26. Penalties for serious offences.
27. No right to appeal.
28. Suspension.
29. Pay during suspension.
30. Deduction of fines, etc., from pay.
31. Procedure where address of member unknown.
32. Member charged with criminal offence.
33. Person convicted of criminal offence.
34. Re-appointment, etc., of certain convicted persons.
35. Interpretation of Part V.
36. Exempt members.
37. Seniority.
38. Establishment.
39. Qualifications.
40. Examinations for appointment, promotion, etc.
41. Specialists.
42. Recruitment.
43. Appointment of members of Regular Constabulary.
44. Re-appointment of members retired on account of mental or bodily infirmity.
45. Re-appointment of persons who have resigned from the Force to become candidates at elections.
46. Filling of vacancies after advertisement.
47. Filling of vacancies from outside the Force.
48. Principles to apply to transfers and promotions.
49. Promotions or appointments to rank of Deputy Commissioner.
50. Filling of vacancies by promotion.
51. Police Promotions Selection Board.
52. Functions of the Board.
53. Promotions through the Board.
54. Permission to decline promotion.
55. Demotions and dismissals.
56. Salaries.
57. Allowances.
58. Deductions from pay.
59. Increments.
60. Right to leave.
61. Recreation leave.
62. Intervals.
63. Order of granting recreation leave.
64. Extension of time of accrual.
65. Pro rata leave, etc.
66. When recreation leave to be taken.
67. Excess leave.
68. Payment of leave fares.
69. Travelling time.
70. Compassionate leave.
71. Representational leave.
72. Sick leave.
73. Amount of sick leave, etc.
74. Maternity leave.
75. Parental leave (adoption).
76. Health of member causing a danger to others.
77. Leave by reason of infectious disease contacts.
78. Illness due to misconduct.
79. Injury on duty.
80. Leave without pay.
81. Leave to attend arbitration proceedings.
82. Leave for defence purposes.
83. Leave to serve under other Acts.
84. Leave to serve with other governments, etc.
85. Furlough.
86. Payment of fares on furlough.
87. Leave to members not eligible for furlough.
88. Recognition of certain prior service.
89. Resignation or retirement on leave.
90. Total period of leave.
91. Age of retirement.
92. Retirement on account of infirmity or incapacity.
93. Resignation.
94. Application.
95. Interpretation.
96. Grant of pensions.
97. Amount of pension.
98. Survivors’ pensions, etc.
99. Assignment, etc., of pension.
100. Suspension of pension during further service and resumption thereafter.
101. Pensions for members dismissed from the force.
102. Pensions to members of former police forces.
103. Pensions in special circumstances.
104. Imprisonment or insanity of pensioner.
105. Payment of pensions.
106. Advance against pension.
107. Commutation of pension.
108. Retrenchment of members.
109. Fares and removal expenses for married members.
110. Acting appointments.
111. Bankrupt members.
112. Attachment of salaries.
113. Holidays.
114. Outside interests.
115. Strength of Reserve Constabulary.
116. Ranks of the Reserve Constabulary.
117. Appointment and promotion.
118. Conditions of service.
119. Pay and allowances.
120. Dispensing with services.
121. Powers, etc., of reservists.
122. Uniforms, etc.
123. Workers’ compensation.
124. Appointment of Special Constables.
125. Conditions of service.
126. Appointment of persons to Community Auxiliary Police.
127. Vesting and limitation of powers of members of Community Auxiliary Police.
128. Seniority.
129. Members are volunteers.
130. Dispensing with services of a member of the Community Auxiliary Police.
131. Application of Workers’ Compensation Act 1978.
132. Application of other provisions.
133. Employment contracts.
134. Misrepresentation by applicants for appointment.
135. Inducing neglect of duty.
136. Causing disaffection.
137. Unauthorized possession of arms, etc., of Force.
138. Unauthorized wearing of police uniforms, etc.
139. Unlawful supply, etc. of police uniforms.
140. Powers, duties, rights and liabilities of members of the Force.
141. Protection of members of Force.
142. Secrecy of records.
143. Valour medal.
144. Awards and certificates of commendation and appreciation.
145. Badges.
146. Execution of process of courts.
147. Recovery of fines.
148. Cessation of membership.
149. Charges for certain special services.
150. Unclaimed property.
151. Rewards, etc.
152. Official police publications.
153. Standing Orders.
154. Additional powers of Commissioner.
155. Equal application of Act.
156. Regulations.
157. Repeals and savings.
INDEPENDENT STATE OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA.
AN ACT
entitled
Being an Act to amend and consolidate the law relating to the regulation of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary.
PART I. – PRELIMINARY.
1. COMPLIANCE WITH CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS.
(a) the right to freedom from arbitrary search and entry conferred by Section 44 of the Constitution; and
(b) the right to freedom of assembly and association conferred by Section 47 of the Constitution; and
(c) the right to privacy conferred by Section 49 of the Constitution; and
(d) the right to freedom of information conferred by Section 51 of the Constitution,
is a law that is made for the purpose of giving effect to the public interest in public safety and public order.
2. INTERPRETATION.
“appointment” includes reappointment;
“Branch” means a Branch of the Force;
“classification” means the arrangement of members and ranks in classes, and includes the allotment of salaries or salary limits, to members or ranks according to the value of their work;
“the Commandant” means the Commandant of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary;
“Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Police appointed under Section 9 and in relation to any power or function of the Commissioner of Police includes a person to whom the Commissioner has delegated any function or power in respect of the exercise by that person of that function or power;
“Community Auxiliary Police” means the Community Auxiliary Branch of the Force;
“date of appointment to the Force” means the date upon which a person becomes a member of the Force;
“disciplinary offence” means an offence declared by this Act to be a disciplinary offence;
“disciplinary officer” means–
(a) the Commissioner; or
(b) a commissioned officer appointed under Section 19 to act as a disciplinary officer;
“exempt member” means a member in relation to whom a declaration is in force under Section 36;
“family”, in relation to a member, means–
(a) a spouse; and
(b) each person who is a natural or legally adopted child of the member and who is not the legally adopted child of any other person and–
(i) has not attained the age of 18 years; or
(ii) having attained the age of 18 years has not attained the age of 25 years and is engaged in a full time course of studies and is wholly dependent on the member; and
(c) relatives, including relatives of the spouse of a member, who are wholly dependent on and maintained by the member in such circumstances that, in the opinion of the Commissioner, they should be regarded as forming part of the member’s family, and severally includes each member of a family;
“the Force” means the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary;
“former Force” means–
(a) the Armed Constabulary established under the pre-Independence Constabulary Ordinance of 1908 of the former Territory of Papua; or
(b) the Royal Papuan Constabulary established under the pre-Independence Royal Papuan Constabulary Act 1939 of the former Territory of Papua; or
(c) the New Guinea Police Force established under the pre-Independence Police Force Ordinance 1922 of the former Territory of New Guinea; or
(d) the New Guinea Police Force established under the pre-Independence Police Force Act 1930 of the former Territory of New Guinea; or
(e) the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary established under the pre-Independence Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary Act 1955; or
(f) the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary established under the pre-Independence Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary Act 1965;
“the former Act” means the Police Force Act repealed by this Act;
“furlough” means leave of absence described in Section 85;
“holiday” means a day appointed by or under Section 113 to be a holiday in the Regular Constabulary Branch of the Force;
“Home Subdistrict”, in relation to a member or the spouse of a member, means the Subdistrict within which the principal home or family ties of the member or the spouse, as the case may be, are, in the opinion of the Commissioner, established;
“member”, in relation to the Force, means a person who has made and subscribed on oath or affirmation to the service of the Force and whose service has not been terminated or otherwise concluded, and in relation to a Branch means a member of the Force who serves in that Branch;
“Official Police Publication” means an Official Police Publication referred to in Section 152;
“pay” means standard salary and any prescribed allowances in the nature of salary;
“Police Promotions Selection Board” means a Police Promotions Selection Board, constituted under Section 51;
“the pre-Independence Act” means the pre-Independence Royal Papua and New Guinea Constabulary Act 1965;
“probationer” means a member of the Regular Constabulary Branch who is serving a period of probation under Section 43;
“recreation leave” means leave of absence for recreation in accordance with Section 61;
“Regulations” means any regulations made under or for the purposes of this Act;
“Reserve Constabulary” means the Reserve Constabulary Branch of the Force;
“reservist” means a member of the Reserve Constabulary;
“service” means service in the Police Force;
“sexual harassment” has the meaning required by Section 20(2);
“Special Constable” means a person who is appointed under Section 124 and whose service has not been terminated or otherwise concluded;
“Standing Orders” means Standing Orders issued by the Commissioner under Section 153;
“this Act” includes the Regulations;
“unattached member” means a member of the Force who is not holding a rank in that Branch;
“spouse”, in relation to a person, means the husband or wife of that person and includes a husband or wife of a polygamous marriage occurring before that person first becomes a member of the Force, but does not include a husband or wife of a polygamous marriage by custom occurring after that person first becomes a member of the force.
(2) All periods that were counted as service of a person in the Force established under the pre-Independence Act for any period under the pre-Independence Act shall be counted as service for the equivalent purpose under this Act.
(3) Except to the extent that any provision of this Act otherwise provides, leave granted to a member under this Act forms part of the member’s period of service and does not affect the continuity of the member’s service and leave which does not count as part of a period of service shall, except where otherwise provided, be counted for the purposes of continuity of service.
(4) For the purposes of Paragraph (c) of the definition of “family”, a determination by the Commissioner that a person should not be regarded, for the purposes of this Act, as being part of a member’s family, is final.
3. APPLICATION OF THIS ACT.
4. APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS OF FORCE.
(2) No person shall be appointed to be a member of the Force until that person makes and subscribes, in the prescribed manner, the appropriate oath or affirmation in Schedule 1 to this Act.
5. POWER OF COMMAND.
6. TRAINING OF PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS OF THE FORCE.
(2) Where a person who is not a member of the Force is accepted for training under this section, the Commissioner may defer his entry into the force until the training is completed to the satisfaction of the Commissioner.
(3) In respect of every person in training under this section, at the expiry of the period referred to in Subsection (2), the Commissioner shall either–
(a) terminate the training of that person; or
(b) appoint that person as a member of the Force.
(4) No person who is training under this section shall undertake operational service until he is appointed as a member of the Force.
(5) A person in training under this section may be paid such allowance as the Commissioner determines.
(6) Sections 20 to 27 inclusive apply to a person in training as if he were a member of the Regular Constabulary.
(7) The Commissioner may at any time terminate the training of a person who is not a member of the Force.
PART II. – COMPOSITION AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE FORCE.
7. COMPOSITION, ETC., OF FORCE.
(2) The Force is divided into the following branches:–
(a) the Regular Constabulary Branch;
(b) the Reserve Constabulary Branch;
(c) the Community Auxiliary Police;
(d) Special Constables.
(3) The Force is a State Service under Section 188 of the Constitution.
8. COMMANDANT.
(2) The Commandant has no power of command, control or direction of the Force.
PART III. – THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE.
9. APPOINTMENT OF COMMISSIONER.
(2) The Commissioner is appointed in accordance with Section 193 (Appointments to certain offices) of the Constitution.
(3) The Commissioner shall be appointed for a term of not less than four years and the other terms and conditions of appointment of the Commissioner are as determined by the Head of State, acting on advice.
(4) The terms of appointment of the Commissioner may be embodied in a contract between the State and the Commissioner.
(5) A contract may provide for the removal from office of the Commissioner by the Head of State acting on advice on any one or more of the following grounds and on no other grounds:–
(a) conviction of any offence involving dishonesty or for which a term of imprisonment may be imposed;
(b) failure to comply with any essential term or condition of the appointment;
(c) negligence or dereliction of duty;
(d) misconduct;
(e) incapacity due to infirmity of mind or body;
(f) failure adequately to perform the duties required of a person holding the rank of Commissioner;
(g) the resignation or retirement of the Commissioner;
(h) in the interest of the State.
10. PROCEDURE WHEN CONDUCT OF COMMISSIONER CALLED INTO QUESTION.
(2) Where the Commissioner is removed from office under one or more of the grounds referred to in Section 9(5) that removal from office, shall, unless the Head of State otherwise directs, automatically terminate the Commissioner’s membership in the Force.
11. PRESERVATION OF RIGHTS.
(a) leave of absence on the ground of illness; and
(b) furlough, or pay in lieu of furlough (including pay to dependants or personal representatives on the death of the member).
(2) Where a member of the Force is appointed to be the Commissioner, that member’s service as Commissioner shall, for the purpose of determining that member’s existing and accruing rights, be counted as service in the Force.
(3) Section 83 applies to and in relation to the office of Commissioner as if that office had been specifically referred to in that section.
12. DECLARATION OF OFFICE.
13. REPORTS.
14. POWERS OF COMMISSIONER.
(a) enter any premises occupied or used by the Force; and
(b) summon any person whose evidence is likely to be material to the determination of any subject of inspection, inquiry or investigation being conducted by the Commissioner; and
(c) take evidence on oath or affirmation, and for that purpose administer oaths or affirmations; and
(d) require any person to produce documents in his possession or subject to his control.
(2) A person, who knowingly makes any false or misleading statement in any evidence before the Commissioner, is guilty of an offence.
Penalty: A fine not exceeding K200.00.
(3) A member of the Force or an officer of the Public Service, who neglects or fails, without reasonable excuse (proof of which is on that person), to attend in obedience to a summons under Subsection (1), or to be sworn or affirmed or to answer questions or produce documents relevant to the subject of an inspection, inquiry or investigation when required to do so under that subsection, is guilty of an offence.
Penalty: A fine not exceeding K200.00.
(4) A person other than a member of the Force or an officer of the Public Service, who, after payment or tender of reasonable expenses, neglects or fails, without reasonable excuse (proof of which is on that person) to attend in obedience to a summons under Subsection (1) or to be sworn or affirmed or to answer questions or produce documents relevant to the subject of an inspection, inquiry or investigation when required to do so under that subsection, is guilty of an offence.
Penalty: A fine not exceeding K200.00.
(5) This section does not make any person compellable to answer a question that might tend to incriminate that person.
15. ANNUAL REPORT.
(a) on the condition and efficiency of the Force; and
(b) on the activities of the Commissioner.
(2) Without limiting the generality of Subsection (1), the report shall set out–
(a) any changes that have been made in respect of any aspect of the Force since the presentation of the previous report; and
(b) any further measures that are necessary for–
(i) improving the working of the Force; and
(ii) ensuring efficiency and economy in the Force or in any branch of it.
(3) In the report, the Commissioner shall draw attention to any breaches or evasions of this Act that have come to the Commissioner’s notice.
16. VESTING OF POWERS OF MEMBERS OF THE FORCE.
(2) A person to whom Subsection (1) applies is deemed, in relation to the powers, functions, duties and responsibilities vested in that person under that subsection, to be a member of the Force.
17. DELEGATION.
PART IV. – DISCIPLINE.
Division 1.
Introductory.
18. APPLICATION OF THIS PART.
(a) members of the Regular Constabulary Branch; and
(b) members of the Community Auxiliary Police; and
(c) persons who are not members of the Force but who are undergoing training under Section 6; and
(d) members of the Reserve Constabulary Branch, while acting or purporting to act as such; and
(e) Special Constables while acting or purporting to act as such.
19. DISCIPLINARY OFFICERS.
(2) Where the Commissioner acts as a disciplinary officer the provisions of this part shall apply with any necessary modifications.
20. DISCIPLINARY OFFENCES.
(a) wilfully disobeys or disregards a Standing or Special Order made or given by the Commissioner, or any lawful order given to the member orally or in writing by a member of the Force who is senior to the member, or whose directions the member is required to obey, or fails to carry out such order as soon as practicable; or
(b) fails to carry out any specified duty imposed on the member by this Act or any other Act or Regulation; or
(c) does not promptly and diligently attend to and carry out anything which it is the member’s duty to attend to or carry out; or
(d) is insubordinate or disrespectful either by word, act or demeanour to any member senior in rank; or
(e) without reasonable excuse, is absent from duty or is late for parade, court or any other duty; or
(f) while on duty in uniform, smokes in a public place; or
(g) while on duty chews betel nut; or
(h) idles or sleeps while on duty; or
(i) leaves his place of duty, or having left that place of duty for legitimate purposes fails to return without undue delay; or
(j) while on duty acts offensively towards any member of the public; or
(k) while on duty, consumes, or receives from any person, any intoxicating liquor or drug, or is incapable of performing his duties by reason of intoxication caused by alcohol or drugs; or
(l) while on duty is improperly dressed or untidy; or
(m) when wearing uniform in a public place, is dirty or untidy in his person, clothing or equipment; or
(n) unreasonably exercises his powers of arrest or search; or
(o) without good and sufficient cause discharges a firearm; or
(p) uses unnecessary force on any person in the execution of his duty; or
(q) behaves towards another member in an oppressive, offensive, abusive or insulting manner; or
(r) assaults another member or an employee of the Force; or
(s) makes a false or frivolous complaint against another member; or
(t) fails to exercise proper supervision over a member under his control; or
(u) by carelessness or neglect, permits a prisoner to escape; or
(v) negligently makes a false or misleading or inaccurate written statement, or entry in any official document or record; or
(w) negligently omits to record or report a fact or incident which is required of the member through Standing or Special Orders, this or any other Acts or Regulations; or
(x) knowingly makes a false or misleading or inaccurate oral statement relating to his duties; or
(y) knowingly omits to record or report a fact or incident which is required of the member through Standing or Special Orders, this Act or any other Act or Regulations; or
(z) knowingly fails to disclose the existence of any relevant evidence which is within his knowledge in relation to a criminal charge; or
(aa) without good and sufficient cause, destroys or mutilates an official book, document or record, or alters, erases or adds to an entry therein; or
(ab) without the consent of the Commissioner or a member authorized by the Commissioner, communicates to a person information which has come to his knowledge as a member of the Force, or shows or gives to a person a book or document prepared, used or kept in connection with the work of the Force, or publicly comments on administrative action by, or the administration of the Force, provided that this offence shall not apply to information given in good faith by a member in accordance with Standing or Special Orders; or
(ac) obtains or attempts to obtain the influence or interest of a person for the purpose of advantage or transfer or promotion in the Force; or
(ad) in his capacity as a member of the Force and without the consent of the Commissioner, directly or indirectly solicits or receives a fee, gratuity, present, benefit, subscription, reward or testimonial; or
(ae) through an intentional act or omission places himself under an obligation to a person which is likely to affect the proper discharge of his duties as a member of the Force; or
(af) improperly uses, or attempts to improperly use his appointment as a member of the Force for his advantage or the advantage of any other person; or
(ag) being a member of the Regular Constabulary Branch, carries on a trade, business or profession for remuneration, or accepts any remunerative employment outside the Force without the consent of the Commissioner; or
(ah) whether as principal or agent enters into a monetary transaction with another member by which interest or other return in money or kind is charged or paid or borrows money from a subordinate; or
(ai) without good and sufficient cause fails to carry out a reasonable direction which has a bearing on the member’s service to the Force, given by a legally qualified medical practitioner or, while absent from duty on account of sickness or injury commits an act or adopt any conduct calculated to retard his return to duty; or
(aj) fails to report promptly to his superior officer the loss of or damage to Force property issued to or used by the member or entrusted to his care; or
(ak) without lawful authority uses Government property for a purpose other than the execution of the member’s duty; or
(al) is unfit to perform his duty by reason of being under the influence of alcohol or a drug; or
(am) finds a subordinate unfit to perform his duty on his shift by reason of being under the influence of alcohol or a drug and having authority to suspend such subordinate from duty for that shift or the remainder of that shift fails to do so; or
(an) aids or abets an offence against this Act or connives or knowingly aids, abets, counsels or procures the commission of an offence against this Act; or
(ao) supplies to another member, for use for a purpose not authorized by this Act certificates or testimonials relating to official capacity or performance of official duties; or
(ap) withholds a complaint or report against a member of the Force; or
(aq) misappropriates or improperly deals with property which comes into his possession or control by virtue of his office; or
(ar) fails to account for or fails to make prompt and true return of money or property received by the member in his official capacity; or
(as) being a member living in official accommodation enters or purports to enter into a polygamous marriage by custom or enters into an extra marital relationship in the nature of marriage; or
(at) sexually harasses another member; or
(au) commits a breach of a provision of this Act not otherwise referred to this section; or
(av) fails to comply with a direction for retraining imposed under Section 25; or
(aw) does or attempts to do anything in contravention of Section 136; or
(ax) being a member of the Regular Constabulary Branch registers or campaigns as a candidate for election to the National Parliament, or to a Provincial Assembly, or to a Local-level Government, or displays any political favouritism or support; or
(ay) commits an act or misconduct which may be a criminal offence, not being a purely indictable offence, under any Act, regulation, or by-law; or
(az) acts in any manner, whether by word, conduct or omission which is prejudicial to good order and discipline in the Force, or which reflects discredit on the Force,
is guilty of a disciplinary offence and is liable to be dealt with and punished under this Division.
(2) For the purpose of this section, a member is sexually harassed where a person by the use of words (whether written or spoken) of a sexual nature or physical behaviour of a sexual nature–
(a) subjects the member to behaviour that is embarrassing, unwelcome or offensive to the member and which is either repeated or of such a significant nature that it has a detrimental effect on that member’s employment, job performance, or job satisfaction; or
(b) makes a request of that member for sexual intercourse or sexual contact or other form of sexual activity and the request contains–
(i) an implied or overt promise of preferential treatment in that member’s employment; or
(ii) an implied or overt threat of detrimental treatment in that member’s employment; or
(iii) an implied or overt threat about the future employment status of that member.
(3) A member does not commit a disciplinary offence under Subsection (1)(ad) where–
(a) with the consent of the Commissioner he accepts–
(i) a public testimonial, presented on his retiral from the Force or on his removal from the locality in which he has been employed; or
(ii) a presentation from fellow members or from an organization within the meaning of industrial organizations in the Industrial Organizations Act 1962; or
(b) being a member of the Community Auxiliary Police, he receives a lawful honorarium or allowance.
Division 2.
Minor Offences.
21. DEALING WITH MINOR OFFENCES.
(a) may call on the member for an explanation as to the alleged offence; and
(b) subject to Subsection (2), being of the opinion after considering the explanation, that the offence has been committed, may impose a penalty specified in Section 22.
(2) When a member is called upon for an explanation of an alleged offence, and that member denies the alleged offence, he may, instead of tendering an explanation, elect in writing to have the matter dealt with as an alleged serious offence and the provisions of Sections 23 to 27 inclusive shall thereupon apply.
22. PENALTIES FOR MINOR OFFENCES.
(a) a caution;
(b) a reprimand;
(c) a fine not exceeding K40.00;
(d) confinement to barracks for a period not exceeding 14 days and in the case of a Cadet Officer, Constable or Probationary Constable, with or without extra drill as prescribed;
(e) forfeiture of not more than one week’s pay.
(2) Notwithstanding Subsection (1), the penalties specified in Subsection (1)(d) and (e) shall not be imposed on–
(a) a member of the Reserve Constabulary; or
(b) a member of the Community Auxiliary Police; or
(c) a person who is undergoing training under Section 6(2); or
(d) a Special Constable,
and the penalty specified in Subsection (1)(d) shall not be imposed on a commissioned officer.
(3) Penalties imposed under this section by a disciplinary officer shall be reported to the Commissioner at such intervals as the Commissioner directs.
(4) Where a penalty is imposed under this section by a disciplinary officer, the member affected may within seven days after notification to the member of the penalty, or within such further time as the Commissioner may allow, apply in writing to the Commissioner for a review of the decision.
(5) An application for review under Subsection (4) may be effected by–
(a) delivery in person to a disciplinary officer; or
(b) sending the same by ordinary post addressed to the Commissioner; or
(c) delivery in such other manner as may be approved by the Commissioner,
and is deemed to have been made on the day upon which it is so delivered or posted.
(6) On a review under Subsection (4), the Commissioner may confirm or annul the decision as to the commission of an offence, or may confirm or annul the penalty, and the decision of the Commissioner is final.
(7) The Commissioner may direct that a penalty imposed under Subsection (1)(d) by a specified rank of disciplinary officers shall not be put into execution until confirmed by him.
(8) The power conferred on the Commissioner by this section to confirm a penalty is deemed to include the power to increase or otherwise vary the penalty in any way not inconsistent with this Act.
(9) The power of the Commissioner to delegate under Section 17 is limited for the purposes of Subsections (5) and (6) to a power to delegate to a member of equal or higher rank than that of the disciplinary officer in respect of whose decision the application for review is made.
Division 3.
Serious Offences.
23. DEALING WITH SERIOUS OFFENCES.
(2) A member referred to in Subsection (1) may be charged by the Commissioner or by a commissioned officer authorized by the Commissioner to lay charges under Section 19.
(3) On a charge being laid against a member of the Force that member shall–
(a) be furnished promptly with a copy of the charge, which shall, where a member so desires, be explained to the member by a senior officer; and
(b) where the member so requests, be furnished with copies of all reports that are to be considered in relation to the charge; and
(c) be invited–
(i) to reply within 14 days, stating whether he admits or denies the truth of the charge; and
(ii) to give any explanation that he desires to give in regard to it.
(4) A charge or other documentation is deemed to have been furnished to a member under this section–
(a) where it has been personally served on the member; or
(b) where, it being unreasonable because of distance or any other factor to serve the charge or documentation personally, the procedure set out in Section 31 has been followed.
(5) Where a reply is not given by the member within 14 days after personal service in accordance with Subsection (4)(a) or within 28 days after posting in accordance with Subsection 4(b) the member is deemed to have denied the truth of the charge and the matter shall thereupon be dealt with in accordance with Section 24.
24. DETERMINATION OF CHARGE.
(2) Where a disciplinary officer is appointed under Subsection (1) that officer shall be–
(a) a person other than the person who has charged the member; and
(b) of superior rank to the member charged.
(3) The disciplinary officer shall consider the reports relating to the charge, the reply and explanation (if any) of the member charged, and subject to Subsection (4), may consider any further reports that the disciplinary officer thinks fit.
(4) Where the disciplinary officer receives a report which was not available to the member charged at the time the member was so charged, or within seven days thereafter, a copy of that report shall be supplied to the member and the member shall have the right to reply to that report.
25. IMPOSITION OF PENALTY WHERE CHARGE SUSTAINED.
(2) The Commissioner after considering the report referred to Subsection (1), may, where–
(a) the disciplinary officer is of opinion that the charge has been sustained; and
(b) the Commissioner concurs with that opinion,
impose a penalty (whether or not that penalty is recommended by the disciplinary officer) specified in Section 26.
(3) Where–
(a) the disciplinary officer reports that in his opinion the charge has not been sustained; and
(b) after considering the report of the disciplinary officer the Commissioner is of the opinion that the charge has not been sustained,
the Commissioner shall dismiss the charge.
(4) Where the Commissioner does not accept in the first instance that a charge is not sustained, he shall refer the matter to a disciplinary officer not connected with the first recommendation for a review and report, and the recommendation contained in the review will be accepted without further formality.
(5) Where the Commissioner imposes a penalty under Section 26(1), other than a penalty in terms of Paragraph (g) of that subsection, the Commissioner may, in addition to such penalty direct that the offending member complete a course of retraining in accordance with Section 26(2).
(6) A retraining course for the purposes of Section 26(2) shall comprise such course of training and instructions as the Commissioner determines, and may include an examination or examinations.
(7) Where, at the conclusion of such time as the Commissioner may allow, the offending member has satisfactorily completed the retraining course, and passed any examinations connected therewith–
(a) the penalty in the case of a fine, or forfeiture of pay, may, in the discretion of the Commissioner be remitted in whole or in part, and the proportion so remitted shall be repaid to the offending member; and
(b) any reduction in rank or salary may be reversed in whole or in part as from the date of satisfactory completion of the retraining course, and the passing of the examination.
26. PENALTIES FOR SERIOUS OFFENCES.
(a) a fine not exceeding K200.00;
(b) reduction of the member’s salary;
(c) forfeiture of not more than four weeks’ pay;
(d) reduction of the member to a rank having a lower classification, and to a salary within that classification;
(e) in addition to or instead of a punishment specified in Paragraph (d), the transfer of the member to other duties;
(f) in addition to or instead of a punishment specified in Paragraph (d) or (e), the transfer of the member to some other locality;
(g) dismissal of the member from the Force.
(2) In addition to any penalty imposed under Subsection (1)(a) to (f) inclusive, the Commissioner may also require the member to undergo a course of re-training.
(3) The penalty specified in Subsection (1)(f) shall not be imposed on a member of the Community Auxiliary Police or on a Special Constable.
(4) The Commissioner shall notify a member of a penalty imposed on that member.
(5) Where a penalty is imposed under this section by a disciplinary officer, the member affected may, within seven days of notification to the member under Subsection (4) of the penalty, or within such further time as the Commissioner may allow, apply in writing to the Commissioner for a review of the decision.
(6) An application under Subsection (5) for a review may be effected by–
(a) delivery in person to a disciplinary officer; or
(b) sending the application by ordinary post addressed to the Commissioner; or
(c) delivery in such other manner as may be approved by the Commissioner,
and is deemed to have been made on the day on which it is so delivered or posted.
(7) On a review under Subsection (5), the Commissioner may confirm or annul the penalty and the decision of the Commissioner is final.
(8) The Commissioner may direct that a penalty imposed under Subsection (1) by a specified rank of disciplinary officers shall not be put into execution until confirmed by him.
(9) The power conferred on the Commissioner for this section to confirm a penalty is deemed to include the power to increase or otherwise to vary the penalty in any way not inconsistent with this Act.
(10) The power of the Commissioner to delegate under Section 17 is limited for the purposes of Subsections (6) and (7) to a power to delegate to a member of equal or higher rank than that of the disciplinary officer in respect of whose decision the application for review is made.
27. NO RIGHT TO APPEAL.
Division 4.
Miscellaneous.
28. SUSPENSION.
(a) a disciplinary offence or suspected disciplinary offence is such; or
(b) the circumstances in which a disciplinary offence or suspected disciplinary offence are committed are such,
that the member of the Force should not continue in the performance of his duty, the Commissioner may suspend the member from duty.
(2) Suspension under Subsection (1) may be effected before, at the time of or after the laying of a charge, and may be lifted by the Commissioner.
(3) Where a charge is not sustained, the suspension shall be lifted immediately on a finding to that effect.
29. PAY DURING SUSPENSION.
(2) Pay provided to a suspended member shall be at the member’s full rate or at such proportion of the full rate as the Commissioner may determine.
30. DEDUCTION OF FINES, ETC., FROM PAY.
(2) A deduction under Subsection (1) shall be made by instalments each not exceeding 25% of the pay payable from time to time to the member.
(3) All fines and penalties imposed and recovered under this Act shall be paid into the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
31. PROCEDURE WHERE ADDRESS OF MEMBER UNKNOWN.
(a) where the member or former member had a postal address, by posting the same to the last known address of the member or former member; or
(b) by leaving the same at the last known residence of the member or former member; or
(c) by delivering the same personally to the mother or father or a brother or sister of the member or former member.
(2) Where service cannot reasonably be effected under Subsection (1) a notice, order or communication is deemed to be served where an advertisement calling upon the member or former member to attend at a specified place to receive a document addressed to him is published once in–
(a) a newspaper circulating in and about the place where the member or former member was last known to reside; or
(b) the National Gazette.
(3) Where Subsection (2) applies, and the member or former member does not attend at the specified place, the notice, order or communication is deemed to have been served–
(a) at the expiry of seven days from the publication of the advertisement; or
(b) at the expiry of such greater period of time as may be specified in the advertisement.
(4) Where service on a member or former member is effected under Subsection (1)(a), the notice, order or communication is deemed to have been served on the member or former member on the day on which it would in the ordinary course of post be expected to be delivered to the address to which it was posted.
(5) Where service on a member is effected under Subsection (1)(b), the notice, order or communication is deemed to have been served on the member or former member on the day on which it was left at the last known residence of the member or former member.
(6) Where service on a member is effected under Subsection (1)(c), the notice, order or communication is deemed to have been served on the member or f