Freedom of Information
Hertfordshire Police Authority has always been committed to openness, and actively seeks to make available information about how it works, its decisions and the services provides.
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) provides a right to access to information held by public authorities. The right of access came into force on 1 January 2005.
Hertfordshire Police Authority has all the necessary procedures in place to ensure that we can identify and respond to requests for information in accordance with the act.
Your rights under the Freedom of Information Act 2000
Under the Freedom of Information Act, you have the right to request and obtain information from any public authority including Hertfordshire Police Authority.
• You have the right to get help and advice from us in meeting your request for information.
• Everyone has the right to request access to information from us, no matter who you are or where you are.
• We will respond to your request within 20 working days, as required by the act.
How to make a request for information under the FOIA 2000
Requests for information are covered by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 if they:
• Are made in writing.
• Include the name of the person making the request.
• Include an address for correspondence.
• Describe the information requested.
Please send us your requests for information by letter or email, stating clearly what information you need, addressed for the attention of the FOI Manager It will help us to process your request if you give us as much detail as you can.
You can access our contact details, including our postal and email address, by selecting this link contact us
Responding to requests for information
We will respond to your written request for information as quickly as possible, and within 20 working days of receiving it.
If your request is too complex to be dealt with quickly, we will contact you to inform you of progress. If we do need to clarify what information you are asking for, we will contact you to agree the details of the request before we provide our response.
Information we can't provide
Hertfordshire Police Authority is committed to openness. However, there are specific exemptions under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 which mean that in some cases we will be unable to supply the information requested. These include:
• Information which is already accessible, for example through our Publication Scheme
• Personal data about individuals which is covered by the Data Protection Act 1998.
If the information you are requesting is about you, we will deal with it under the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998. If we are not able to supply you with the information you have requested, we will write to you within 20 working days to explain which exemption applies and what it means.
Complaints
If you are unhappy about how we have dealt with your request for information or if we have been unable to supply the information you have requested and you want to make a complaint, please write to:
The Chief Executive
Hertfordshire Police Authority
Leahoe House
Pegs Lane
Hertfordshire
SG13 8DE
If you are still not satisfied you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) you will find a link to the ICO website in our External Links pages.
Hertfordshire Police Authority cannot be held responsible for the content or functionality of any other websites.
Legislation
The full text of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 including the full list of exemptions and other related legislation can be found on the Office of Public Sector Information website.
Guidance and information concerning the Freedom of Information act, Data Protection Act and other related issues can also be found on the websites of the Information Commissioners Office and Local Government Association.
Links to these and other useful websites can be found on our External Links pages.
Hertfordshire Police Authority cannot be held responsible for the content or functionality of any other websites.
Freedom of Information Publication Scheme
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires every public authority to adopt and maintain a Publication Scheme, which has been approved by the Information Commissioner, and to publish information in accordance with the scheme. From 1 January 2009, there is one approved model scheme which has to be adopted by all authorities.
Hertfordshire Police Authorities Publication Scheme can be found via the link below:
What about information not published under this scheme?
If you are unable to find what you are looking for within the scheme, please contact:
Freedom of Information Manager
Hertfordshire Police Authority
Leahoe House
Pegs Lane
Hertford
SG13 8DE
What about information you may hold about me personally?
Under the Data Protection Act 1998, you can ask to see information about you which is held by Hertfordshire Police Authority. If you wish to identify whether Hertfordshire Police Authority please contact:
Freedom of Information Manager
Hertfordshire Police Authority
Leahoe House
Pegs Lane
Hertford
SG13 8DE
You can ask for a copy of all the information held about you to which the Data Protection Act applies (this is called a Subject Access Request). A Subject Access Request must be made in writing, and must include enough information to enable us to verify your identity, and to find the information you have requested. You are entitled to receive a reply within 40 days.
Information held by the Police and not the Police Authority
In many cases, it is the police and not the police authority that holds personal information. The Police National Computer includes information on prosecutions, convictions and cautions. Chief Officers of Police are the “data controllers” for this information and not Hertfordshire Police Authority.
Under the Data Protection Act 1998, you can ask to see information about you which is held by Hertfordshire Constabulary. If you wish to identify whether Hertfordshire Constabulary hold any information about you, please write to:
Information Services Office
Hertfordshire Constabulary Headquarters
Stanborough Road
Welwyn Garden City
Hertfordshire
AL8 6XF
For further information please go to the Hertfordshire Constabulary website via our External Links pages