BNP

Dear Mr Walker

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: RFI2243/1

I write in connection with your request for information dated and received
on 1st December 2009.

Your request will now be considered in accordance with the Freedom of
Information Act 2000 (the Act). You will receive a response within the
statutory timescale of 20 working days as defined by the Act, subject to
the information not being exempt or containing a reference to a third
party. In some circumstances West Mercia Police may be unable to achieve
this deadline. If this is likely you will be informed and given a revised
time-scale at the earliest opportunity.

There may be a fee payable for the retrieval, collation and provision of the
information you request. If this is the case you will be informed and the 20
working day timescale will be suspended until we receive payment from you. If
you chose not to make payment then your request will remain unanswered.

Some requests may also require either full or partial transference to
another public authority in order to answer your query in the fullest
possible way. Again, you will be informed if this is the case.

Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please write
or telephone the Information Compliance Unit quoting the reference number
above.

Yours sincerely

Miss L MacKinnon

Information Compliance Assistant

Information Compliance Unit

Information Management and Technology Department

01905 331565

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Dear Mr Walker

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: RFI 2243/1

I write in connection with your request for information which was dated
and received on 1^st December 2009.

There are restrictions placed on those working in the Police Force
regarding membership of the British National Party. Does your force have
any restrictions 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?

Reply:

The West Mercia Police Force has adopted the ACPO policy on Membership of
Unacceptable Organisations issued in February 2006:

"For the purposes of this policy, unacceptable organisations include: the
British National Party, Combat 18 and the National Front. Active
membership could involve activities such as: the participation in leaflet
drops, meetings, fund raising, and speaking on behalf of or writing
articles for the said organisation. These activities remain unacceptable,
regardless of whether or not an individual is a formal member of the
stated organisations."

Although not specifically mentioned, I am informed that West Mercia would
interpret the activities mentioned above as falling within the policy.

Home Office recruitment guidance also prohibits members of these
organisations from applying to become a police officer.

It is only fair to point out that you have now made three requests
concerning the same subject since 6^th October 2009 and you have been
provided with as much information as we are able to disclose. Police
employee membership of any political party is a statutory bar, and FOIA is
not the forum to debate any issues that you may have with that
legislation. For that reason I must warn you that should further similar
requests be made, we shall consider using the section 14 exemption of the
FOIA legislation, vexatious requests.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by our
Personnel Department is as accurate and comprehensive as possible.

Your attention is drawn to the below which details your right of
complaint.

Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please write
or telephone the Information Compliance Unit quoting the reference number
above.

Yours sincerely

Mr B McDermott

FOI Officer

Information Compliance Unit

Information Management and Technology Department

West Mercia Police

PO Box 55

Hindlip

Worcester

WR3 8SP

01905 331545 / 331565

West Mercia Police in complying with their statutory duty under sections 1
and 11 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to release the enclosed
information will not breach the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
However, the rights of the copyright owner of the enclosed information
will continue to be protected by law. Applications for the copyright
owner's written permission to reproduce any part of the attached
information should be addressed to The Force Solicitor, West Mercia Police
Headquarters, PO Box 55, Hindlip, Worcester, WR3 8SP.

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 West Mercia Police (WMP) to review their
decision.

Prior to lodging a formal complaint you are welcome and encouraged to
discuss the decision with the person 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 person named 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
WMP made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) regarding
access to information, you can lodge a complaint with WMP to have the
decision reviewed. WMP must be notified of your intention to complain
within 2 months of the date of its response to your Freedom of Information
request. Complaints should be made in writing and addressed to:

West Mercia Police Headquarters

Information Management and Technology Department

Hindlip Hall

Hindlip

PO Box 55

Worcester

WR3 8SP

In all possible circumstances, WMP will aim to respond to your complaint
within 2 months.

The Information Commissioner

After lodging a complaint with WMP if you are still dissatisfied with the
decision you may make 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 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 545700

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