BNP

NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED

Dear Mr Walker,

Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - Acknowledgment

Thank you for your request for information received on 1st December, 2009,
and is being dealt with this in accordance with the Freedom of Information
(Scotland) Act 2002. Your request has been given the unique Reference
Number : 1342 and this should be quoted on all correspondence.

Under the terms of the Act, we have a statutory obligation to respond
within 20 working days from the after your request was received. A
response to your request for information will be sent to you promptly; and
in any event not later than 7th January, 2009. Please allow for postal
time, if sent by mail.

Your request may result in us not supplying the information you have
requested, as the Act imposes certain conditions and exemptions on the
information we may supply. It is also possible that the information you
request is controlled by different legislation.

If you require any clarification or advice, please do not hesitate to
contact me on 01786 456000 or Email: [1][email address]
. However, if you are not satisfied with the way in which your request has
been handled, you are entitled, in the first instance, to request a Review
of the decisions made. Should you wish to request a Review after your
initial Response from us, please write to Chief Inspector A McLeod, Head
of Department, Professional Standards Department, Central Scotland Police,
Police Headquarters, Randolphfield, Stirling FK8 2HD within 40 working
days of receiving this correspondence.

If, after receiving a response to the Review, you remain dissatisfied, you
have six months within which you may Appeal to the Scottish Information
Commissioner who can be contacted at Kinburn Castle, Doubledykes Road, St
Andrews, Fife, KY16 9DS. Phone: 01334 464610 Fax: 01334 464611 or Email
[2][email address] .

For further information on Freedom of Information you can visit the
Scottish Information Commissioners website at
[3]www.itspublicknowledge.info .

Yours sincerely

Kind regards
Ilene

Freedom of Information Officer

Central Scotland Police
Police Headquarters

Tel: 01786 456000
Fax: 01786 456388
Email: [4][Central Scotland Police request email]

show quoted sections

NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED

Dear Mr Walker,

Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002

Thank you for your request for information received on 1st December, 2009.
I have dealt with this in accordance with the Freedom of Information
(Scotland) Act 2002 and respond to your request as follows :

Your Request(s) and Response(s) :

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?

Response : This question is very similar to your previous FOI request
1273 which has already been fully responded to, this request could be
dealt with under Section 14 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act
2002 as a Repeated Request. However, by way of further assistance I can
advise that Central Scotland Police Force do not hold recorded information
requested and have again included the Code of Ethics for both Police
Officers and Police Staff for you to read. As stated all staff have a
standard of professional behaviour that all employees have to adhere to
and any discipline offences, such as discreditable conduct by taking part
in any of the above would be treated on an individual case basis and fully
investigated by the Force.

For Reference from the Code of Ethics :

Associations

Members of staff must exercise discretion at all times and display sound
judgement with regard to friendships, associations and relationships. They
are reminded that the perception of such associations is equally
important. In addition, attendance at social events, membership of
organisations and affiliation to particular groups should not compromise
their position as a member of the Scottish Police Service in any way. If
anyone, is concerned that there is a potential for compromise or a
conflict of interest through family relationships or other friendships or
associations then they should declare their concerns to their line manager
at the earliest opportunity. Declarations will be confidentially assessed
and "guidance/direction" will be given as appropriate.

and

Members of the Scottish Police Service must strive to maintain the highest
levels of impartiality and integrity. There are many areas of
potential conflicts of interest during daily activities and it is vital to
remain alert and aware in respect of such possible compromise. Conflict of
interests arise when personal circumstances, associations, affiliations or
financial/business interests either affect impartiality or are perceived
as such. Either way, such issues or perceptions may cast doubt on the
integrity of individuals and their overall fairness and motivation when
carrying out their duties. Such conflicts, perceived or otherwise, should
be avoided. When personal circumstances, associations, affiliations or
financial/business interests are, or may be perceived as, a conflict of
interest they should be declared and recorded at the earliest opportunity.

You should be aware that Central Scotland Police hold the Copyright for
the material provided and it may not be reproduced in any format or media
without acquiring specific permission. This will also be subject to the
material not being used in a derogatory manner or in a misleading context.
The source of the material must then be acknowledged as Central Scotland
Police, and the title of the document must be included when being
reproduced as part of another publication or service.

Police forces in the United Kingdom are routinely required to provide
crime statistics to government bodies and the recording criteria is set
nationally. However, the systems used for recording these figures are not
generic, nor are the procedures used locally in capturing the crime data.
It should be noted that for these reasons this force's response to your
questions should not be used for comparison purposes with any other
response you may receive.

If you require any clarification, please do not hesitate to contact me on
01786 456000 or Email: [1][email address] . However, if
you are not satisfied with the way in which your request has been handled,
you are entitled, in the first instance, to request a Review of the
decisions made. Should you wish to request a Review, please write to Chief
Inspector A McLeod, Head of Department, Professional Standards Department,
Central Scotland Police, Police Headquarters, Randolphfield, Stirling FK8
2HD within 40 working days of receiving this correspondence.

If, after receiving a response, you remain dissatisfied, you have six
months within which you may Appeal to the Scottish Information
Commissioner who can be contacted at Kinburn Castle, Doubledykes Road, St
Andrews, Fife, KY16 9DS. Phone: 01334 464610 Fax: 01334 464611 or Email
[2][email address] .

Yours sincerely

Kind regards
Ilene

Freedom of Information Officer
Central Scotland Police
Police Headquarters
Randolphfield
Stirling FK8 2HD

Tel: 01786 456000
Fax: 01786 456388
Email: [3][Central Scotland Police request email]

NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED

NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED

show quoted sections