Police Ill Health Retirement

Dear Mr Styles

Freedom of Information Request Reference No: 2009070000802

I write in connection with your request for information which was received
by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on 02/07/2009. I note you seek
access to the following information:

· I am making a request under the terms of the Freedom of
Information Act. I understand that one Linda Van De Hende produced a
report entitled 'Police Ill Health Retirement'. The report was dated 21st
December 2000 and may have originated from the Human Resources Committee
of the Metropolitan Police Authority. A copy of this report will surely
reside within the files of the Metropolitan Police. I ask that you provide
me with a copy of this report. It can be provided in any standard digital
format.

The information you have requested can be located on the Metropolitan
Police Authority website. I have therefore refused this request for
information as the information is reasonably accessible elsewhere. Please
see below for the relevant sections of the Freedom of Information Act and
details of the location of the report on the MPA website.

Section 17 of the Act provides:

(1) A public authority which, in relation to any request for
information, is to any extent relying on a claim that any provision in
part II relating to the duty to confirm or deny is relevant to the request
or on a claim that information is exempt information must, within the time
for complying with section 1(1), give the applicant a notice which-

(a) states the fact,
(b) specifies the exemption in question, and
(c) states (if that would not otherwise be apparent) why the exemption
applies.

Section 21 of the Act provides:

(1) Information which is reasonably accessible to the application
otherwise than under section 1 is exempt information.
(3) For the purposes of subsection (1), information which is held
by a public authority and does not fall within subsection (2)(b) is not to
be regarded as reasonably accessible to the applicant merely because the
information is available from the public authority itself on request,
unless the information is made available in accordance with the
authority’s publication scheme and any payment required is specified in,
or determined in accordance with, the scheme.

As part of my duty to assist, I have included the web address of the MPS
website where the report can be found:
http://www.mpa.gov.uk/committees/x-hr/20...

Alternately, you can navigate the MPA website by clicking 'How we work' on
the home page, then 'Ended MPA committees' on the right hand side of the
Committees page, then 'Human Resources Committee' in the Committee History
section, then scroll down the list of Meeting agendas, reports and
minutes to 2000 and click '21 December 2000'. Then click on Report 4
'Police ill health retirement'.

COMPLAINT RIGHTS

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

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in
the MPS.

Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please write
or contact Louise Lander on telephone number 0207 0915565 quoting the
reference number above.

Yours sincerely

Louise Lander
Higher Information Manager
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 the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to
review their decision.

Prior to lodging a formal complaint you are welcome and encouraged to
discuss the decision with the case officer 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 case officer that is nominated 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
the MPS made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) regarding
access to information you can lodge a complaint with the MPS to have the
decision reviewed.

Complaints should be made in writing and addressed to:

FOI Complaint
Public Access Office
PO Box 57192
London
SW6 1SF

In all possible circumstances the MPS will aim to respond to your
complaint within 40 working days.
The Information Commissioner

After lodging a complaint with the MPS 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 545 700

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