Commentary First Group of Parts – Discipline Part 5 – Investigation, Charging and Mode of Trial Section 119: Circumstances in which CO has power to charge
258.This section specifies the circumstances in which a CO has “initial powers” (specified in section 120) in relation to a case. He has these powers if he becomes aware of anything indicating that someone in his command may have committed a service offence, unless broadly speaking the service police should be involved (under section 113 or 114), are already involved or (in the CO’s view) are likely to be involved by another police force.
259.The CO also has initial powers where a case is referred to him either by a service policeman under section 116 or by the DSP under section 121.