The Act Commentary on Sections Part 1: Police Reform Paragraph 1: The Agency’s Objects
21.The Agency’s objects are: to identify, develop and promulgate good policy practice (this would be issued in the form of either non-statutory guidance by the Agency, or Codes of Practice made under section 39 of the Police Act 1996, or as regulations made under section 53A of the 1996 Act); to provide expert operational advice and assistance to “listed police forces” (as defined by paragraph 3 - essentially police forces in England and Wales and other law enforcement agencies operating throughout the United Kingdom); to identify and assess opportunities for and threats to police forces in England and Wales (this might include opportunities presented by new detection methods and threats posed by new crime patterns); share policing issues with international partners; and to provide support to “listed police forces” in connection with the provision of IT, procurement and training services (such services might be provided directly by the Agency or by other providers under contract to the Agency).