Schedule 2—Enforcement powers in relation to ships
Part 3—Northern Ireland
to assist the constable or officer in the exercise of powers under this Part of this Schedule.
(2) A person accompanying a constable or an enforcement officer under subparagraph (1) may perform any of the constable’s or officer’s functions under this Part of this Schedule, but only under the constable’s or officer’s supervision.
Reasonable force
25 A Northern Ireland constable or an enforcement officer may use reasonable force, if necessary, in the performance of functions under this Part of this Schedule.
Evidence of authority
26 A Northern Ireland constable or an enforcement officer must produce evidence of the constable’s or officer’s authority if asked to do so.
Protection of constables and enforcement officers
27 A Northern Ireland constable or an enforcement officer is not liable in any criminal or civil proceedings for anything done in the purported performance of functions under this Part of this Schedule if the court is satisfied that—
- (a) the act was done in good faith, and
- (b) there were reasonable grounds for doing it.
Offences
28 (1) A person commits an offence under the law of Northern Ireland if the person—
- (a) intentionally obstructs a constable or an enforcement officer in the performance of functions under this Part of this Schedule, or
- (b) fails without reasonable excuse to comply with a requirement made by a constable or an enforcement officer in the performance of those functions.
(2) A person who provides information in response to a requirement made by a Northern Ireland constable or an enforcement officer in the performance of functions under this Part of this Schedule commits an offence under the law of Northern Ireland if—
- (a) the information is false in a material particular, and the person either knows it is or is reckless as to whether it is, or
- (b) the person intentionally fails to disclose any material particular.
(3) A person guilty of an offence under this paragraph is liable—
- (a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;
- (b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to a fine, or to both.
