FOI Request
I am writing to you under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to request the following information:
- The number of complaints about police officers illegally accessing the Police National Computer
- The number of complaints about force civilian staff illegally accessing the Police National Computer
- Please detail the outcome of those complaints (numbers of police officers disciplined/prosecuted/suspended/sacked/no action, numbers of police staff disciplined/prosecuted/suspended/sacked/no action)
- Please detail for what purposes (where known) those police officers and staff unlawfully accessed the PNC
Please provide the information for calendar years 2014, 2015, 2016 –Jan-Dec.
Please collate the information in an excel spreadsheet and send via email.
If it is not possible to provide the information requested due to the information exceeding the cost of compliance limits identified in section 12, please provide advice and assistance, under your section 16 obligations, as to how I can refine my request to be included in the scope of the Act.
Please acknowledge receipt of this request.
I look forward to your response within 20 working days, as stipulated by the Act.
If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact me via email or ‘phone and I will be happy to clarify what I am asking for.
Following further correspondence:
OPCCs should/usually hold a log detailing the nature of complaints sent to them by members of the public . Please provide details of the number of complaints against police that involve the alleged misuse of the Police National Computer.
We are aware that any complaints relating to police officers and staff received by the OPCC are usually sent on to the police force.
FOI Response
This request has been handled under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Regarding your request I can now inform you that I have completed my enquiries and that my reply on behalf of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland is as follows.
I can confirm that the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland does not hold this information.
s16 of the FOIA requires me to try and assist you in seeking the information you have asked for. In that vein I understand that this information may be held by Cleveland Police.
I can confirm that the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland has a FOI complaints procedure.
If you are unhappy with the way your request for information has been handled, you can request a review by writing to:
Mr Stephen Hodgson
Solicitor
Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland
Police Headquarters
Ladgate Lane
Middlesbrough
TS8 9EH
or you can follow the complaints procedure found on our website at: www.cleveland.pcc.police.uk
If you remain dissatisfied with the handling of your request or complaint, you have a right to appeal to the Information Commissioner at:
The Information Commissioner’s Office,
Wycliffe House,
Water Lane,
Wilmslow,
Cheshire,
SK9 5AF.
Telephone: 08456 30 60 60 or 01625 54 57 45
Website: www.ico.gov.uk
There is no charge for making an appeal.
Date responded: 9 February 2017