POLICE LOGO AND MISSION STATEMENT

dennis fallon made this Freedom of Information request to West Midlands Police

The request was successful.

From: dennis fallon

19 September 2009

Dear Sir or Madam,
West Midlands Police have a curious logo and mission statement
which differs significantly from any other police force.There are
no features showing allegiance to H.M The Queen and no features
showing accountability to the public.Greater Manchester Police logo
proudly displays E.R and the Royal Crown, with logo `Fighting
Crime,Protecting People`, and Metropolitan Police similarly display
E.R and the Crown, with the logo `Working together for a safer
London`.I am aware that we used to have a similar logo,perhaps ten
years ago,which used to display similar loyalties.I have asked the
curator of the Police Museum,Sparkhill,but he could provide no
answer.Please provide,as pdf attachment, copies of the previous and
current police logo,and advise if the old logo was associated with
a previous mission statement.Please advise when the new logo was
introduced,which Chief Constable initiated the change, and who was
consulted regarding the new design, and who actually encoraged the
change.Please explain the decision to abandon the Crown and E.R,and
advise on the significance the strange heraldic symbolism is
supposed to impart to the public.The strange mission
statement`Forward In Unity`does nothing to impart any confidence in
the police, other than to imply they are determined to stick
together and get their way no matter what.There is nothing to
inspire the public whatsoever.Under FOI I would appreciate a clear
understanding of the Police Logo and mission statement and the
impression they are intended to convey.

Yours faithfully,

Dennis Fallon

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From: foi
West Midlands Police

21 September 2009

Attachment attachment.txt
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Dear Mr Fallon

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000

Thank you for your request for information, received 21 September
2009 concerning WMP logo.

Your request is being considered and you will receive a response within
the statutory timescale of 20 working days, as defined by the Act, subject
to the application of any statutory exemptions. Where consideration is
being given to the application of any exemptions the 20 working day
timescale may be extended under the terms of the Act to a period
considered reasonable depending on the nature and circumstances of your
request. In such cases you will be notified and, where possible, a revised
time-scale will be indicated. In all cases we shall attempt to deal with
your request at the earliest opportunity.

There may be a fee payable for the retrieval, collation and provision of
the information requested, where the request exceeds the statutory limit.
In such cases you will be informed in writing and the 20 working day
timescale will be suspended until we receive payment from you or your
request is modified and /or reduced. If you chose not to make full payment
or modify your request then the request will remain unanswered.

Your request may require either full or partial transfer to another public
authority. You will be informed if your request is transferred.

Yours sincerely,

Freedom of Information Unit

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From: foi
West Midlands Police

15 October 2009

Attachment appeals procedure.pdf
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Dear Mr Fallon

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000

Your request for information, received 19 September 2009 concerning West
Midlands Police logo and mission statement has now been considered.

The West Midlands Police mission statement was adopted in 2002 by the then
Chief Constable, Sir Paul Scott-Lee. The force's vision is 'To reduce
crime and disorder and make our communities feel safer'. This is still the
vision statement and has not been changed by the new Chief Constable,
Chris Sims.

The decision to move away from the 'old' badge was taken by a previous
Chief Constable, Sir Edward Crew. Whilst West Midlands Police have no
recorded information regarding this decision, our understanding is that
the crest was the originally the police authority crest which has been
adapted for use by the Force. We believe that the old Police authority
crest was presented to them by the Royal College of Arms.

Therefore it is possible that the West Midlands Police Authority may hold
some relevant information. The contact details for the Police Authority
are:

West Midlands Police Authority

Lloyd House

Colmore Circus Queensway

Birmingham

B4 6NQ

Email: [email address]

Under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act, West Midlands Police
Authority is a separate public authority. You are welcome to contact them
directly or if you would like me to forward your original request please
confirm this instruction in writing and I will send it on your behalf.

Your attention is drawn to your right to request a re-examination of your
case under West Midlands Police review procedure (attached). Please note
that such an appeal must be received within six months of the date of this
correspondence.

If you require any further information, then please do not hesitate to
contact me.

Yours sincerely,

Freedom of Information Unit

West Midlands 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 Midlands
Police Headquarters, Lloyd House, Colmore Circus Queensway, Birmingham, B4
6NQ.

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From: dennis fallon

18 November 2009

Dear foi,Please forward this as an appeal to Corporate Services for
review.Your response is unsatisfactory in that you have failed to
supply copies of the `new`and `old`logos without explanation and
only vague information without validation.The Royal College of Arms
only allows the use of `arms and crests` by granting letters of
patent(LOP),this is a legal requirement.The police should not be
using the crest unless they have permission by way of a LOP and I
would like to see a copy of this official document to be assured
the police are not breaking patent law.I have contacted the Police
Authority but they have no knowledge either, but the responsibility
now rests with the police who are displaying the crest.I am very
disappointed that the police cannot explain their own crest or logo
or justify its use.It does not inspire confidence and that should
be the purpose.Please provide images of the new and old logos, and
the LOP or permission for use, as pdf attachments, plus any further
explanation as to the loyalties displayed by the crest.

Yours sincerely,

dennis fallon

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From: Steve Mountford
West Midlands Police

24 November 2009

Dear Mr Fallon

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 REQUEST REFERENCE No: 2861

I acknowledge receipt of your email, received 18 November, requesting West
Midlands Police to review its response to your request for information
concerning use of the force crest.

The review will be conducted in accordance with the West Midlands Police
review procedure and every effort will be made to have a response to you
by 16 December. However, if it becomes clear that the review will not be
completed by this date you will be advised.

If you wish to discuss this matter prior to West Midlands Police*s
response, please contact me,

Steve Mountford
FOI Unit Manager
Freedom Of Information Unit
West Midlands Police
Email: [1][email address]
Switchboard: 0845 113 5000 ext 7800 2689
Internal: 7800 2689
[mobile number]

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From: foi
West Midlands Police

18 December 2009

Dear Mr Fallon,

Freedom of Information 2861/09

I am writing in response to your email of 18 November 2009 requesting an
internal review of the decision made in your FOI request under the above
reference number. Unfortunately, West Midlands Police has not yet
completed its enquiries and I am proposing an extension to the due date
for response to 18 January 2010.

Please accept my apologies for the delay. Every effort will be made to
ensure a response is provided on or before the above date.

Yours,

SJ Mountford
Freedom of Information Unit

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From: dennis fallon

20 January 2010

Dear foi,I would appreciate completion of this FOI and confirmation
that WM Police hold the Letters of Patent authorising use of the
logo.I do need to progress this issue.

Yours sincerely,

dennis fallon

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From: foi
West Midlands Police

21 January 2010

Dear Mr Fallon

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 REQUEST REFERENCE No: 2861/09

I am writing in response to your email of 20 January 2010.

Unfortunately, West Midlands Police has still not completed its enquiries
and I am proposing an extension to the due date for response to 29 January
2010.

I apologise for the prolonged delay and I can assure you that we are at
the moment looking into this as a matter of urgency.

Yours sincerely,

Sue Dimond

FOI Unit Manager

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From: dennis fallon

10 February 2010

Dear foi,I do need to progress this request.I require evidential
confirmation that WM Police hold the appropriate letters patent for
display of the crest, or a declaration that they do not hold them
and advice on the proposed course of action.If ordinary members of
the public could not produce required documentation they would be
hauled before the courts.I also require completion of my request
regarding the meaning of the displayed crest which is the public
image of the force.It causes me concern that you cannot reassure
the public by explaining the intentions of the various aspects of
the crest and the logo.Please advise me if you have given up as I
do need to consider progress.

Yours sincerely,

dennis fallon

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From: foi
West Midlands Police

11 February 2010

Dear Mr Fallon,

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 REQUEST REFERENCE No: 2861/09

I am writing in response to your email received November 18 2009 where you
requested West Midlands Police to review its response to your request for
information concerning use of the force crest. Please accept my apologies
for the delay in responding to your request.

Despite a thorough search for any relevant documents we have been unable
to locate any recorded information which will answer your enquiry. We have
been able to ascertain that the *new* logo was adopted from April 1997 but
we do not hold a formal letters patent or other external authorisation for
use of the crest. Whether that gives rise to any unlawful activity by the
force is not the proper subject of a request under the Freedom of
Information Act which grants access to recorded information. However, we
have referred your request to the Head of Corporate Services who will
endeavour to provide further information should it become available.

With regard to the issue of allegiance to Her Majesty the Queen, all
warranted officers swear an oath of allegiance to the sovereign and the E
II R star and crown appears on the helmet and cap badges of all police
officers.

If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have
the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a
decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: Information
Commissioner*s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9
5AF

Yours sincerely,

Sue Dimond

Support Services Manager.

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From: dennis fallon

11 February 2010

Dear Ms Dimond,

Warranted police officers have a cap badge with the `old`crest
showing loyal allegiance related to their oath, but Police
Community Support Officers have the `new`crest which shows an
entirely different allegiance to something represented by the
shield and crest.
To conclude, please advise if PCSO swear an oath of allegiance to
anyone and please advise if it is possible to provide images of the
`old` crest and the `new` crest as pdf attachments as requested.

Yours sincerely,

dennis fallon

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From: foi
West Midlands Police

22 February 2010

Attachment Logo.pdf
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Dear Mr Fallon,

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 REQUEST REFERENCE No: 2861/09

Thank you for your further email received 11 February where you raised
some further issues in relation to your request for information concerning
the force logo. I note that you also ask for further information
concerning Police Community Support Officers which was not part of your
original request. Please note that this is being processed as a new
request under reference number 3290/10. The due date for a response to
this new request is 11 March 2010.

With regard to your original request asking for copies of the *old* and
*new force logos, I am attaching a pdf document showing the current logo
but am unable to provide an electronic copy of the *old* logo as this is
no longer held on force systems. I have attempted to locate a paper
document but have not been able to do so.

Please accept my apologies for omitting to provide the available
information in my response of 11 February.

If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have
the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a
decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: Information
Commissioner*s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9
5AF

Yours sincerely,

Sue Dimond

Support Services Manager

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From: foi
West Midlands Police

22 February 2010

Attachment appeals procedure.pdf
11K Download View as HTML

Your request for information, received 11 February 2010 concerning PCSO*s
has now been considered. I am pleased to enclose the following
information. This response deals with the part of your request that
concerns PCSO*s and an oath of allegiance.

PCSOs do not swear an oath of allegiance but are required to work under
the operational control of the Chief Constable and Chief Officers.

While they do not take a declaration or oath they have a designation card
given to them after their training which they are required to carry with
them at all times whilst on duty. They must produce this on request from a
member of the public when exercising any of their powers.

Your attention is drawn to your right to request a re-examination of your
case under West Midlands Police review procedure (attached). Please note
that such an appeal must be received within six months of the date of this
correspondence.

If you require any further information, then please do not hesitate to
contact me.

Yours sincerely,

Freedom of Information Unit

West Midlands 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 Midlands
Police Headquarters, Lloyd House, Colmore Circus Queensway, Birmingham, B4
6NQ.

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From: dennis fallon

22 February 2010

Dear Ms Diamond,
Your help has been greatly appreciated.I consider the public image
of any Authority to be very important.We used to be so proud of our
police force and our heritage and it is dreadful that we seem to
have lost so much.

I have contacted the College of Arms in London and Sir Peter
Gwynn-Jones,KCVO,has replied with a most excellent response
providing the information.

QUOTE "Armorial Bearings were granted to the West Midlands Police
Authority by Letters Patent of the Kings of Arms dated 1st
September 1986.

It is certainly open to the West Midlands Police Authority to make
use of these Arms even if the Letters Patent have been mislaid.

The Armorial Bearings in question are based upon those of the
County of West Midlands which has two phoenixes as its
Supporters.The phoenix is allusive to industry and is particularly
associated with Coventry.

The formation in the centre of the shield represents metal bars and
those interlaced form the initials WM.

The Crown vallery and the chain in the Crest are a further allusion
to industry.The Blazon of the Arms is as follows:

Arms:Or between two Bars vallary on the outer edge extending
chiefwards and into the base as many Barruletes dancetty of three
points interlaced Sable.

Crest:Upon a helm rising from Flames proper within a Crown vallary
Sable a Phoenix Argent beaked and about the neck a Chain pendant
reflexed across the breast also Sable."

IN MY OPINION NOW, THE LOGO EXPRESSES PRIDE IN THE INDUSTRIAL
MANUFACTURING OF THE WEST MIDLANDS AND THE REGENERATION OF
COVENTRY. THE LOGO `FORWARD IN UNITY`EXPRESSES THE WISH FOR EACH
SEPARATE PART OF THE WEST MIDLANDS TO WORK TOGETHER TOWARDS
PROGRESS.

Although you may think the issue trivial, I think it is something
we should be consciously proud of,and although it is not in your
remit it might be useful to send a copy of this detail to the
Police Museam or anyone involved in training because really it
should be a subject of pride for the police force.

I was especially pleased to rediscover the letters WM `hidden`in
the middle of the shield.

Thanking you for your help.

Yours sincerely,

dennis fallon

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