Commentary First Group of Parts – Discipline Part 13 – Discipline: Miscellaneous and Supplementary Section 314: Arrest by civilian police of deserters and absentees without leave
623.This section permits the civilian police in the UK or a British overseas territory to arrest a suspected absentee without a warrant. It also provides authority for an “authorised person” in the UK, the Isle of Man or a British overseas territory to issue an arrest warrant in certain circumstances. An authorised person is a person who is empowered in the civilian system to issue arrest warrants, e.g. a Crown Court judge or magistrate in England and Wales. A person who is arrested pursuant to these provisions must be brought before a court of summary jurisdiction.