Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984

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PACE is the short form for the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. This Act governs the major part of police powers of investigation including, arrest, detention, interrogation, entry and search of premises, personal search and the taking of samples. Also part of this legislation are the PACE Codes of Practice, which police officers should consider and refer to when carrying out various procedures associated with their work. The Act attempts to strike a fair balance between the exercise of power by those in authority and the rights of members of the public.

The PACE Codes of Practice are set out under eight different sections labelled A to H. Each deal with a different aspect of the police's duties as follows:

Code A

Code A deals with a police officer's legal powers to search a person and or any vehicle prior to making any arrest. They must also make a note of the encounter.

Code B

Code B outlines the police's powers to enter and search premises and seize any possessions found on a person or premises. The powers under this code are conferred to find anyone wanted by police for questioning, arrest or, in relation to any crime; to find any property and material relating to the commission of a crime or; to find any children who should be in local authority custody where they have been remanded or placed following a court order.

Code C

Code C lays out the requirements for detaining suspects and how they should be treated and questioned while in custody. Includes the requirement to explain a person's rights while detained.

Code D

Code D relates to the…

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