FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST 
 
Request Number: 
F-2010-00867 
 
Keyword: 
Complaints/Discipline 
 
Subject: 
Breaches of the Data Protection Act 
 
Request and Answer: 
 
This is to inform you that the Police Service of Northern Ireland has now completed its search for the 
information you requested.  The decision has been taken to disclose the located information to you in 
full. 
 
Question 
Regarding question three (How many civilian workers in the PSNI have been disciplined internally 
but not prosecuted for breaches of the data protection act from 2007 to present?), of the 5 cases 
investigated and subsequently disciplined for alleged data breaches, how many if any were referred 
to the PPS for consideration to prosecute? 
 
Answer 
Two cases investigated were referred to the PPS for consideration to prosecute.  
 
 
 
If you have any queries regarding your request or the decision please do not hesitate to contact me 
on 028 9070 0164.  When contacting the Freedom of Information Team, please quote the reference 
number listed at the beginning of this letter. 
 
If you are dissatisfied in any way with the handling of your request, you have the right to request a 
review. You should do this as soon as possible, or in any case within two months of the date of issue 
of this letter. In the event that you require a review to be undertaken, you can do so by writing to the 
Head of   Freedom of Information, PSNI Headquarters, 65 Knock Road, Belfast, BT5 6LE or by 
emailing [email address].   
 
If following an internal review, carried out by an independent decision maker, you were to remain 
dissatisfied in any way with the handling of the request you may make a complaint, under Section 50 
of the Freedom of Information Act, to the Information Commissioner’s Office and ask that they 
investigate whether the PSNI has complied with the terms of the Freedom of Information Act.  You 
can write to the Information Commissioner at Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, 
Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF. In most circumstances the Information Commissioner 
will not investigate a complaint unless an internal review procedure has been carried out, however 
the Commissioner has the option to investigate the matter at his discretion. 

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Please be advised that PSNI replies under Freedom of Information may be released into the public 
domain via our website @ www.psni.police.uk 
 
Personal details in respect of your request have, where applicable, been removed to protect 
confidentiality. 
 
 
 

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