The Act Commentary on Sections Part 1: Police Reform Paragraphs 14 and 15: Appointment of deputy chief constables etc
86.Paragraph 14 makes new provision in relation to the appointment of deputy chief constables. It enables police authorities to appoint more than one deputy chief constable. The approval of the Secretary of State must be sought before a police authority can increase the number of deputy chief constables. Otherwise, the process for appointments for deputy chief constables is unchanged.
87.Paragraph 15 makes new provision in relation to the power of deputy chief constables to exercise the functions of the chief constable in his absence. It requires that, where a force has more than one deputy chief constable, the chief constable must designate the deputy chief constables in order of seniority for the purposes of the exercise of the chief constable’s powers and duties. This designation is solely for the purpose of this provision and has no other implications regarding the seniority of the deputy chief constables.