Under which statute is it an offence to resist or wilfully obstruct a constable in the execution of his duty?

Under which statute is it an offence to resist or wilfully obstruct a constable in the execution of his duty?

• A. PACE 1984, section 24(2)
• B. Police Act 1996, section 89(2)
• C. Public Order Act 1986, section 4
• D. Theft Act 1978, section 3

Answer: (B)

The key idea here is a specific statutory offense: obstructing a police officer in the course of performing their duties. This crime is defined in the Police Act 1996, section 89, which makes it an offence to resist or wilfully obstruct a constable in the execution of his duty, provided there is no lawful authority or reasonable excuse. The element of “execution of his duty” covers actions police are legitimately undertaking, such as making an arrest or directing operations, so interference during those duties is unlawful. The qualifier about lacking lawful authority or a reasonable excuse ensures that legitimate disagreement or actions done under proper authority aren’t automatically criminal. Compared with the other statutes, those don’t create this specific offense. PACE 1984 section 24(2) concerns arrest powers and procedures, not obstructing an officer in the line of duty. The Public Order Act 1986 section 4 targets threatening or abusive behavior likely to cause fear or distress in public, not obstruction of police duties. The Theft Act 1978 section 3 deals with theft and related offenses, unrelated to police obstruction. The Police Act provision is the one that codifies resisting or obstructing a constable in the execution of his duty.

The key idea here is a specific statutory offense: obstructing a police officer in the course of performing their duties. This crime is defined in the Police Act 1996, section 89, which makes it an offence to resist or wilfully obstruct a constable in the execution of his duty, provided there is no lawful authority or reasonable excuse. The element of “execution of his duty” covers actions police are legitimately undertaking, such as making an arrest or directing operations, so interference during those duties is unlawful. The qualifier about lacking lawful authority or a reasonable excuse ensures that legitimate disagreement or actions done under proper authority aren’t automatically criminal.

Compared with the other statutes, those don’t create this specific offense. PACE 1984 section 24(2) concerns arrest powers and procedures, not obstructing an officer in the line of duty. The Public Order Act 1986 section 4 targets threatening or abusive behavior likely to cause fear or distress in public, not obstruction of police duties. The Theft Act 1978 section 3 deals with theft and related offenses, unrelated to police obstruction. The Police Act provision is the one that codifies resisting or obstructing a constable in the execution of his duty.