Reports and inquiries
26. The Board must submit an annual report, which
includes an assessment of its general functions, to the Secretary
of State; and he must lay it before Parliament.[40]
The Chief Constable is required to produce an annual report on
the policing of Northern Ireland and submit it to the Board and
to the Secretary of State. The Chief Constable must also report
on any matter connected with the policing of Northern Ireland
to the Board on demand.[41]
27. The Board can hold an inquiry into any matter
which is the subject of a report if it considers the issue is
grave, or there are exceptional circumstances.[42]
If the Board decides to hold an inquiry, it must inform the Chief
Constable, the Police Ombudsman and the Secretary of State.[43]
The Secretary of State is able in certain circumstances to overrule
the decision of the Board within 30 days.[44]
The Board can ask a specified statutory agency or any other person
to conduct the inquiry.[45]
3