On 16 Oct, 00:06, "Michael R N Dolbear"  wrote:
> jonporter1...@btinternet.com wrote
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> > On 15 Oct, 01:56, "Michael R N Dolbear"  wrote:
> > > jonporter1...@btinternet.com wrote
> > > .> There is no such thing in the UK police service as a superior
> > > > officer, {...}
> > > The law refered to is S 178 Licensing Act 1964
> > > ... except by authority of a superior officer of that constable.
> > > ==
> > > There are things a police "superior officer" can't order, but "go
> and
> > > get a bite to eat" isn't one of them.
> > The Police have senior officers, not superior officers. It is a
> > standard convention that every police officer starts at the same
> rank,
> > unlike for example the armed services. it's one of the first things
> > taught at basic training. The rank structure,the badges of rank and
> > that nobody in the police service is superior to anybody else, they
> > may be senior in rank or experience, never superior. That is why a
> > suitably qualified PC can be in effective command of a situation
> where
> > the superintendent stood next to him does not have the requisite
> > training or experience but is on hand to take over when practicable.
>
> That could and does happen in the armed forces too but they
> nevertheless have "superior officers". If someone is an officer and is
> superior in rank then they are a "superior officer".
>
> Do pay attention, I quoted the text of statute law above, your
> assertion, like "never off-duty", implies the law is meaningless.
>
> Judges have held otherwise.
>
> --
> Mike D

Other such texts use the term Senior Officer, for example the 1986
POA.