Belfast International Airport Constabulary
AbbreviationBIAC
Agency overview
Legal personalityPrivately held company
Jurisdictional structure
Legal jurisdictionLand owned by the Belfast International Airport
Governing bodyBelfast International Airport Authority
Constituting instrument
  • Article 19(3), Airport (Northern Ireland) Order 1994
General nature
Operational structure
HeadquartersAirport Police Station, Airport Road, Aldergrove, BT29 4AB
Facilities
Stations1
Website
[1]

The Belfast International Airport Constabulary (BIAC) is a small, specialised police force responsible for providing policing to the Belfast International Airport in Aldergrove, Northern Ireland. Officers employed by the force are empowered to act as Constables in accordance with the Airport (Northern Ireland) Order 1994 whilst on land owned or controlled by the airport.[1] The Belfast International Airport Constabulary is the last remaining privately funded airport police force in the United Kingdom,[2] however airport forces still operate in the Republic of Ireland[3] and the Isle of Man.[4]

Officers of the Belfast International Airport Constabulary are employees of the airport authority.[1] Like all police agencies operating in Northern Ireland, they are subject to oversight from the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland.[5] Any serious incidents taking place at the airport are automatically passed to the local territorial police force, the Police Service of Northern Ireland.[1]

Weapons and equipment

Officers are equipped with Glock 17 pistols, identical to those issued by the Police Service of Northern Ireland and Belfast Harbour Police. The force also issues extendable batons, PAVA spray, rigid handcuffs and body worn video cameras.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "The Airports (Northern Ireland) Order 1994". Legislation.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 6 October 2017. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  2. ^ "British Police History". British-police-history.uk. Archived from the original on 5 October 2017. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  3. ^ "Airport Police Service & Security - Dublin Airport". Dublinairport.com. Archived from the original on 5 October 2017. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  4. ^ "Isle of Man Government - Airport safety and security". Gov.im. Archived from the original on 3 October 2017. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  5. ^ "Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000". Legislation.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 6 October 2017. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  6. ^ "Airport Police get body-worn video cams - Belfast International Airport". Belfastairport.com. Archived from the original on 5 October 2017. Retrieved 6 October 2017.


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