Which legislation defines resisting or obstructing a constable in the execution of duty?

Which legislation defines resisting or obstructing a constable in the execution of duty?

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

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is identifying which law creates the offence of hindering a police officer while they’re performing their duties. That specific offence is laid out in the Police Act 1996, section 89. It directly defines resisting or obstructing a constable in the execution of his duty, making it an offence to impede a constable while they’re carrying out their lawful duties, such as during an arrest or other enforcement action. The other acts mentioned address different situations: PACE 1984 deals with powers of arrest and related procedures, Public Order Act 1986 covers conduct that disrupts public order, and Theft Act 1978 concerns theft. None of them define the particular offence of resisting or obstructing a constable in the execution of duty, which is why the Police Act 1996, section 89, is the correct reference.

The main idea here is identifying which law creates the offence of hindering a police officer while they’re performing their duties. That specific offence is laid out in the Police Act 1996, section 89. It directly defines resisting or obstructing a constable in the execution of his duty, making it an offence to impede a constable while they’re carrying out their lawful duties, such as during an arrest or other enforcement action.

The other acts mentioned address different situations: PACE 1984 deals with powers of arrest and related procedures, Public Order Act 1986 covers conduct that disrupts public order, and Theft Act 1978 concerns theft. None of them define the particular offence of resisting or obstructing a constable in the execution of duty, which is why the Police Act 1996, section 89, is the correct reference.