In this video, a person visits a police station to request a copy of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE). They had previously been told that the full version of PACE is only available to those in custody, but they believed that it should be available to all members of the public. They cite section 1.5 of PACE, which states that it must be made available at all police stations to police officers, police staff, attending persons, and members of the public.
The officer confirms that the full version of PACE is indeed available to any member of the public who presents themselves at a police station and requests it. However, the officer also notes that the request is unusual because the full version of PACE is normally provided to those going into a cell. The officer suggests that the person making the request can be given a shortened version of PACE that highlights relevant points if they prefer.
The person making the request insists that they want to see the full version of PACE and the officer agrees to check if they have a copy at the station. The officer notes that the station is not a custody suite, but the full version of PACE should still be available. They also suggest that the person can find the full version of PACE online if they have a smartphone.
The officer explains that there may be operational reasons why a request to view the full version of PACE might be deemed unreasonable, such as if there are not enough staff available to provide assistance. However, they reiterate that the full version of PACE is available to any member of the public who presents themselves at a police station and requests it. Overall, the video emphasizes the importance of the public’s right to access important legal documents and the responsibility of police stations to provide them.
