ivanataylor [[FOI #17941 email]]

21^st October 2009

Dear `ivanataylor'

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST

I refer to your e-mail dated 20^th October 2009, in which you requested an internal review of Cumbria Constabulary's handling of your FOI request relating to 'Common Purpose Graduates.'. This request was originally received by the Constabulary on 11^th September 2009, and is detailed below:-

How many policemen and women, employed by Cumbria Constabulary, have graduated from Common Purpose or taken part in courses?

How much has been spent on such training since 2005, to date?

Is the Area Commander a Common Purpose Graduate, or has he taken part, in Common Purpose training and courses, and how much was spent on such courses in the last twelve months.?

I have considered your original request and also your request for an internal review. I would like to acknowledge that a response was not provided to you within the 20 working days required by the Freedom of Information Act, and therefore this constitutes a breach of Section 10(1) of that act, and for this I apologise.

Following receipt of your internal review request which was signed with a different name from your original request, I have reviewed the matter, and am of the opinion that you may not have used your real name when submitting these requests. I can advise you that your original request is not valid as it now appears you have made it using a pseudonym. Section 8 of the Freedom of Information legislation states:-

(1) In this Act any reference to a `request for information' is a reference to such a request which-

(a) is in writing,

(b) states the name of the applicant and an address for correspondence, and

(c) describes the information requested.

The use of the phrase “the name of the applicant” in section 8(1)(b) indicates that the real name of the applicant should be used when requesting information and not any other name, for example, a pseudonym. Further guidelines from the Information Commissioners Office state that `title and/or first name with surname satisfies the requirement for provision of a real name, as does the use by a female applicant of her maiden name.'

Cont….

-2-

If you wish to resubmit your request under your real name, your request will be considered at that point.

Complaint Rights

If you remain dissatisfied with how your request has been handled you have a further right of complaint to the Information Commissioner. I have provided the contact details for the Commissioner below, for your information, in case you wish to pursue this course of action.

Information Commissioner's Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Tel: 01625 545700

If you have any further enquiries about this matter, please write or contact me on the telephone number detailed in the header section of this letter.

Yours sincerely

Trixi Julier

Data Protection and Freedom of Information

Professional Standards Department

Trixi Julier
Data Protection & Freedom of Information
Email [email address]
Tel: 01768 217054

Fax: 01768 217638

My Reference FOI 436/09
Your Reference

Chief Constable
Craig Mackey

Police Headquarters
Carleton Hall
Penrith, Cumbria
CA10 2AU

www.cumbria.police.uk