The Harbours, Docks and Piers Clauses Act 1847 is an Act of Parliament

Act of Parliament

An Act of Parliament is a statute enacted as primary legislation by a national or sub-national parliament. In the Republic of Ireland the term Act of the Oireachtas is used, and in the United States the term Act of Congress is used.In Commonwealth countries, the term is used both in a narrow...

 of the United Kingdom

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...

 which governs harbors, docks, and piers.

Port police

The act allows two justices of the peace to swear in special constables with jurisdiction within the limits of the harbour, dock, pier, and premises of the port company, and within one mile of the same. Two justices may also dismiss such a constable. The act uses the term 'special constable', but this is not related to present day members of the Special Constabulary

Special Constabulary

The Special Constabulary is the part-time volunteer section of a statutory police force in the United Kingdom or some Crown dependencies. Its officers are known as Special Constables or informally as Specials.Every United Kingdom territorial police force has a special constabulary except the...

; at the time this act was passed 'special constable' meant any constable who was not a member of a territorial police force

Territorial police force

The phrase Territorial Police Force varies in precise meaning according to the country to which it is related, generally distinguishing a force whose area of responsibility is defined by sub-national boundaries from others which deal with the entire country or a restricted range of...

.

See also

• List of port police forces of the United Kingdom