The Act - Commentary on Sections Part 2 – Powers of Entry, Search and Seizure Section 4: Power of Commanding Officer in relation to stopping and searching of persons, vehicles etc.
26.Section 4 confers upon the commanding officer the powers of search which a Service policeman has under section 2. Commanding officers may only use these powers, or authorise someone under their command to use them, in limited circumstances. The powers of search under this section may only be used in relation to a person under the commanding officer’s command, or a vehicle in the charge of such a person. Moreover, commanding officers will only be able to use these powers if they reasonably believe that a criminal offence will be committed or an offender will avoid arrest, and if it is not possible to act until the assistance of a Service policeman or a member of a UK civilian police force is obtained.