Other provisions in Part 1 Making it a criminal offence to obstruct/assault law enforcement officers
Officers from a range of agencies – Immigration Enforcement, the CPS, the SFO and others – are able to use the various search and seizure powers in POCA. Currently, there are criminal offences of obstruction or assault which apply in respect of some officers who are carrying out duties under POCA, but not all officers are captured. The Act ensures that all officers are afforded the same degree of protection, while exercising powers under POCA. This brings consistency of approach and ensure that all users of POCA powers are protected.