committed a criminal offence, the deputy chief constable is required to refer the matter as soon as possible for investigation by the Procurator Fiscal, who is independent of the police and acts impartially on behalf of the Crown. All these procedures are statutorily prescribed. The Procurator Fiscal will consider all the evidence before him and decide whether or not criminal proceedings should be taken. In reaching his decision, he may seek direction from Crown Counsel (senior legal advisers to the Lord Advocate). Thus the independent position and the active investigatory role of the Procurator Fiscal in cases involving possible criminal offences are seen as providing a full safeguard against any suspicion of police partiality in Scotland. A criminal conviction would not affect any decision to proceed with disciplinary proceedings. In circumstances where a case has not proceeded to trial or has resulted in an acquittal, it is still open to the deputy chief constable to pursue a disciplinary charge against a constable provided it complies with the terms of the regulations. Police disciplinary procedures - Northern Ireland 96. In Northern Ireland, the police discipline code is set out in schedule 1 of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (Discipline and Disciplinary Appeals) Regulations 1988. These regulations were framed in light of the provisions made by the Police (Northern Ireland) Order 1987, which introduced procedures for handling complaints about the conduct of police officers and which were broadly in line with the new procedures introduced for England and Wales by section IX of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. 97. The 1987 Order established the independent Commission for Police Complaints for Northern Ireland, whose powers and function are broadly similar to those of the Police Complaints Authority for England and Wales. However, 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the procedures and regulations surrounding police conduct and discipline in Scotland and Northern Ireland. It mentions the roles of the Procurator Fiscal, Crown Counsel, and the Commission for Police Complaints, indicating a focus on law enforcement and justice. The text does not mention any economic, environmental, or scientific concepts, and does not seem to be related to education, employment, humanitarian aid, or culture. Given its focus on police procedures and justice, it is likely that the text is related to a category that deals with law and order.

**Category**
Law and Order