Commencement
526.Sections 100, 105, 106, 108 and the consequential repeals as a result of section 100 came into force on Royal Assent. Sections 97 and 98, in as far as they relate to local government areas in Wales, come into force on the days that the National Assembly for Wales will specify by order made by statutory instrument. Sections 70 and 71 come into force on the days that Scottish Ministers will specify by order. Sections 102, 103 and 104, in as far as they amend the Police (Scotland) Act 1967, come into force on the days that Scottish Ministers will specify by order. The remaining provisions of the Act come into force on days that the Secretary of State will specify by order.
527.It is the Government’s intention only to commence the power to detain (with or without reasonable force) for community support officers in a maximum of six forces for an initial two-year period. These forces will act as pilot schemes for the power. HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary will monitor and take responsibility for the evaluation of the use of the power in this period. No other forces will be allowed to deploy community support officers with the power of detention until the Chief Inspector’s evaluation report has been published and laid before Parliament.