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Information Governance Unit

Information Management Branch

Mr William Hopkins



Our ref: 002642/09/

When calling or telephoning

please ask for Rebecca Rice

22nd June 2009

Dear Mr Hopkins

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 002642/09

I write in connection with your request for information dated 22/05/2009, which was received by Greater Manchester Police on 22/05/2009. I note you seek access to the following information:

  1. Could you please tell me if Greater Manchester Police has a policy statement regarding employment of civilian personnel that addresses the issue of the age of applicants? If you have such a policy document, then I would like a copy of it. It can be provided in any standard digital format.

  2. I would also like to know if you have an upper age limit beyond which you will not consider employing any person.

  3. I would also like to know if you have a normal retirement age for civilian employees.

  4. I would also like to know if the person making the decision on who to shortlist for interview or who to hire is able to see information revealing the age or date of birth of the applicant.

  5. I would also like to know how many civilian employees you have who are aged over 65.

Following receipt of your request searches were conducted within Greater Manchester Police to locate information relevant to your request. I can confirm that the information you have requested is held by Greater Manchester Police.

  1. A copy of the `preventing age discrimination' document is attached to this response.

  2. For new appointments, the Age Discrimination Act (2006) states that the default retirement age is 65 years old and therefore to meet our age eligibility requirements you must be a minimum of six months within the default retirement age to be considered as a new member of staff.

  3. The normal retirement are for police staff is age 65, however Greater Manchester Police do consider applications from existing employees to work beyond this age.

  4. The form that details the candidate's personal information is detached and removed prior to the sifting panel evaluating the application. At no stage throughout the recruitment process do the selection panel have access to this information.

  5. There are currently 44 members of police staff that are over the age of 65.

Complaint Rights

Your attention is drawn to the attached sheet, which details your right of complaint.

Should you have any further inquiries concerning this matter, please write or contact Amanda Ratcliffe, on telephone number 0161 856 2529 quoting the reference number above.

Yours sincerely,

Amanda Ratcliffe

Information Access Officer

COMPLAINT RIGHTS

Are you unhappy with how your request has been handled or do you think the decision is incorrect?

You have the right to require Greater Manchester Police to review their decision.

Prior to lodging a formal complaint you are welcome and encouraged to discuss the decision with the case officer that dealt with your request.

Ask to have the decision looked at again -

The quickest and easiest way to have the decision looked at again is to telephone the case officer that is nominated at the end of your decision letter.

That person will be able to discuss the decision, explain any issues and assist with any problems.

Complaint

If you are dissatisfied with the handling procedures or the decision of Greater Manchester Police made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding access to information, you can lodge a complaint with Greater Manchester Police to have the decision reviewed.

Complaints should be made in writing and addressed to:

Information Governance Manager

Greater Manchester Police

Police Headquarters

Chester House

Boyer Street

Manchester

M16 0RE

The Information Commissioner

After lodging a complaint with Greater Manchester Police if you are still dissatisfied with the decision you can make an application to the Information Commissioner for a decision on whether the request for information has been dealt with in accordance with the requirements of the Act.

For information on how to make an application to the Information Commissioner please visit their website at www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk. Alternatively, phone or write to:

Information Commissioner's Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Phone: 01625 545 700

Corporate Performance Branch, Data Protection & Computer Audit Section, Police Headquarters,

8th Floor, Chester House, Boyer Street, Old Trafford, Manchester M16 0RE

Tel: 0161 856 2529, Fax: 0161 856 2534, Minicom: 0161 872 6633,

Email: [email address]

Information Governance Unit, Information Management Branch, Police Headquarters,

Chester House, Boyer Street, Manchester M16 0RE

Tel: 0161 856 2529/2668, Fax: 0161 856 2535, Minicom: 0161 872 6633,

Email: [Greater Manchester Police request email]