Part 1: Proceeds of crime Other miscellaneous provisions Section 31: Accredited financial investigators
Sections 47A-47S of POCA, which provide search and seizure powers in England and Wales, prevent the dissipation of realisable property that may be used to satisfy a future confiscation order. Section 31 amends section 47G of POCA to allow civilian AFIs in a police force to obtain approval to use search and seizure powers from a senior police officer (an inspector). Such approval may be sought in cases where seeking the appropriate approval of a justice of the peace is not practicable. The amendment provided by section 31 enables an AFI to seek the approval of a senior police officer as is the case with a constable.
	Section 31 makes a similar amendment to section 290 of POCA relating to civilian AFIs in a police force. It provides that they now have the powers to search for cash with the approval of a senior police officer (of at least inspector level). This replaces the need to define by secondary legislation authorising officers for police searches undertaken by civilian staff.
	Section 31 also makes equivalent amendments for Northern Ireland.