FOI Reference:
727.2009
Request :
1.
Prior to 1st January 2005 had any members of your Police Force been disciplined in
connection with membership of:-
a) the British National Party;
b) Combat 18; or
c) the National Front
d) Please provide details of how many and the outcomes of such disciplinary
procedures if any.
2.
After 1st January 2005 have any members of your Police Force been disciplined in
connection with membership of:-
a) the British National Party;
b) Combat 18; or
c) the National Front
d. Please provide details of how many and the outcomes of such
disciplinary procedures if any.
3.
After 1st January 2005 did you review the Human Rights implications of the
restriction?
Please supply minutes and other documentation relating to such a review
4.
The restriction relates to membership. Do you consider that there is any
restriction on a member of your Police Force:-
a) donating to the British National Party
b) subscribing to a British National Party publication
c) purchasing goods from the British National Party
d) signing a petition in favour of the British National Party
e) signing a nomination form for a British National Party candidate
Response:
1. No Information Held
2. No Information Held
3. No Information Held – The answer to Part 1 of the Question is no
information held as Dyfed Powys Police did not review the Human Rights
implications of the restriction – The answer to Part 2 of the question is no
information held as Dyfed Powys Police did not undertake a review.
4. Not a Valid FOI Request under Section 8 of the Freedom of Information Act
2000 (Request for Information) as to “consider” is asking for an opinion.
Under Section 16 (duty to assist) please see below information and links:
•
Police Staff Council – Joint Circular NO. 39
www.lge.gov.uk/lge/aio/53982
•
Decision taken by ACPO Chief Constables’ Council 2004 which endorsed the
following:
“No member of the police service, whether police officer or police staff, maybe a
member of an organisation whose constitution, aims, objectives or pronouncements
contradict the general duty to promote race quality. This specifically includes the
British National Party.” It added that, “in view of the importance on public
confidence of meeting the general duty to promote race equality established in the
Race Relations (Amendment Act) 2000, it is anticipated that non-compliance will
result in dismissal.”
This position is judged to be consistent with Regulation 6 of the Police
(Amendment) Regulations 2003 and with Paragraph 12 of the Police Code of
Conduct, hence the reference to dismissal. This remains the policy of the police
service in England and Wales to date and officers or staff who were found to be
members of the BNP would be dealt under Regulation 6 of the Police (Amendment)
Regulations 2003 and with Paragraph 12 of the Police Code of Conduct.
•
The ACPO document entitled “The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO)
decision to ban Police Officers and Staff from being Members of the British
National Party (BNP) has previously been made available through a previous
FOI request to the Home Office:-
www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/freedom-of-information/released-information/foi-
archive-crime/561-association-ofchief-police?version=1