The email address of the Chief Constable of West Mercia Police.

Waiting for an internal review by West Mercia Police of their handling of this request.

William Richards

Dear West Mercia Police,

I would like to know why the email address of West Mercia's Chief Constable is not readily available on West Mercia's website, and also for it to be revealed to me.

Yours faithfully,

William Richards

Information Compliance,

Dear Mr Richards

 

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO:  160500        

 

I write in connection with your request for information which was received
on 18^th March 2022.  Your request will now be considered in accordance
with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (“the Act”).

 

We will aim to provide a response to your request within 20 working days
as stipulated by the Act.  Please note that there may be unavoidable
delays when making information rights requests during the COVID-19
pandemic.  We are triaging and addressing requests in the following
order:  Subject access and then FOI requests.   Every effort will be made
to meet our statutory timescales for responding.  Thank you for your
understanding.

 

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 be
withdrawn.

 

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
contact the Information Compliance Unit quoting the reference number
above.

 

 

Yours sincerely

 

Sue Cale

Information Compliance Assistant

 

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 40 working days of the date of its response to your Freedom of
Information request.  Complaints should be made in writing and addressed
to:

 

Information Compliance Unit

West Mercia Police Headquarters

PO Box 55

Hindlip Hall

Hindlip

Worcester

WR3 8SP

 

Alternatively, you can email [1][email address]

 

In all possible circumstances, WMP will aim to respond to your complaint
within 20 working days.

 

The Information Commissioner

 

If after lodging a complaint with WMP you are still dissatisfied with the
decision, you may make application to the Information Commissioner (ICO)
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 [2]website.  Alternatively, you can contact the ICO in
writing or via phone:

 

Information Commissioner’s Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

 

Tel:  0303 123 1113 (local rate) or 01625 545745 (national rate)

Fax:  01625 524 510

 

 

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[West Mercia Police request email]
2. https://ico.org.uk/

Information Compliance,

Dear Mr Richards

 

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 160500

 

I write in connection with your request for information which was received
on 18^th March 2022. Please find below the response to your request:

 

 

I would like to know why the email address of West Mercia's Chief
Constable is not readily available on West Mercia's website, and also for
it to be revealed to me.

 

 

Reply

 

Your request for information has been considered in accordance with the
Freedom of Information Act 2000 (“the Act”), and I am not obliged to
provide the information requested.

 

The following exemption is applicable to the information requested:

 

• S.40(2) – Personal information

 

S.40(2) is an absolute, class-based exemption and therefore there is no
requirement to evidence harm or conduct a public interest test.

 

This exemption is engaged where disclosure of information relates to
personal data of a third party or could lead to the identification of an
individual, either from that information alone or combined with other
information from within the Police Service or public domain. In this case,
the information you are requesting is personal data of a third party.

 

Such a disclosure would breach an individual’s rights under the Data
Protection Act 2018, in particular Article 5(1) of the UK GDPR which
states that personal data shall be processed lawfully, fairly and in a
transparent manner in relation to the data subject. Such a disclosure
would also be likely to breach s.8 Human Rights Act 1998 which states that
everyone has the right to respect for his private and family life, his
home and his correspondence.

 

In accordance with s.17(1) of the Act, this acts as a Refusal Notice.

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

Yours sincerely,

 

V Lewis

 

 

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 40 working days of the date of its response to your Freedom of
Information request. Complaints should be made in writing and addressed
to:

 

Information Compliance Unit

West Mercia Police Headquarters

PO Box 55

Hindlip Hall

Hindlip

Worcester

WR3 8SP

 

Alternatively, you can email [1][email address]

 

In all possible circumstances, WMP will aim to respond to your complaint
within 20 working days.

 

The Information Commissioner

 

If after lodging a complaint with WMP you are still dissatisfied with the
decision, you may make application to the Information Commissioner (ICO)
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 [2]website. Alternatively, you can contact the ICO in
writing or via phone:

 

Information Commissioner’s Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

 

Tel: 0303 123 1113 (local rate) or 01625 545745 (national rate)

Fax: 01625 524 510

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. https://ico.org.uk/

William Richards

Dear West Mercia Police,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.

I am writing to request an internal review of West Mercia Police's handling of my FOI request 'The email address of the Chief Constable of West Mercia Police.'.

You claim an exemption to the request for the inclusion of the Chief Constable's email address on West Mercia's website, and the supply of it to me, on the basis that it is 'personal information', but it is not (FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 160500).

That email address is supplied and paid for by West Mercia Constabulary, a publicly-funded body, and is not the personal email address of the Chief Constable, merely the direct professional address. The Chief Constable, in common with everyone who communicates via email as a private citizen, does have a personal email address, but I am not requesting details of that, which is quite distinct from her professional email.

I therefore request you review your decision to refuse this professional information, since she is purportedly a public servant, and it is her professional email address used in that role and not in her private life, to which my request refers.

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/t...

Yours faithfully,

William Richards

Information Compliance,

1 Attachment

Dear Mr Richards,

 

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO:  160500 – Internal review

 

I write further to your email of 19 April 2022 requesting an internal
review of your FOI request.

 

Request for internal review

 

You have sought an internal review of the decision made in relation to
your request for information.

 

Decision of internal review

 

Having reviewed your original FOI request and the reasons for refusal I
have determined that the exemption used in refusing your request for
information and the reasoning given by the Decision Maker are correct.

 

The below contact details for the office of the Chief Constable may assist
you.

 

Chief Constable Mills

West Mercia Police Headquarters

PO Box 55

Hindlip Hall

Worcester

WR3 8SP

 

[1][email address]

 

 

Should you have any further queries concerning this matter, please contact
the Information Compliance Unit quoting the reference number above.

 

If you remain unsatisfied with the outcome of this internal review you
have the right to apply to the Information Commissioner.  Their contact
details are outlined below.

 

 

Kind regards,

 

David

 

David Cole
Information Compliance Supervisor | Information Compliance Unit | West
Mercia Police

PO Box 55, West Mercia Police Headquarters, Hindlip Hall, Worcester, WR3
8SP
Direct dial:  01905 331785 | Ext. 7772785

Team email:  [2][email address]

 

[3]Email Sign Off

 

You can report non-urgent crime via our website. Always dial 999 in an
emergency.

Please visit our website for information or assistance, or follow our
social media accounts for police news in your area.

 

This email may contain information that is privileged, sensitive, or
otherwise protected from disclosure.   Any unauthorised use, disclosure,
copying or alteration of this email is strictly forbidden without express
authorisation from West Mercia Police.  This email is intended for the
recipient(s) only; please notify the sender immediately if received in
error.  Email activity is regularly monitored, including the content.
Internet email is not to be treated a secure means of communication. 
Expressed views or opinions do not necessarily represent those of West
Mercia Police.

 

 

 

The Information Commissioner

 

If after lodging a complaint with WMP you are still dissatisfied with the
decision, you may make application to the Information Commissioner (ICO)
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 [4]website.  Alternatively, you can contact the ICO in
writing or via phone:

 

Information Commissioner’s Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

 

Tel:  0303 123 1113 (local rate) or 01625 545745 (national rate)

Fax:  01625 524 510

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. mailto:[email address]
4. https://ico.org.uk/

William Richards

Dear West Mercia Police,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.

I am writing to request an internal review of West Mercia Police's handling of my FOI request 'The email address of the Chief Constable of West Mercia Police.'.

For the reasons already given, and not contested by you, the email address of the Chief constable of any fpolice force is not 'personal', because quite clearly, it is their professional email address, paid for and provided by the taxpayer, for the professional use of the Chief Constable. From the public's perspective, the public being (we are told) being who the police are purported to serve, it is the easiest, quickest, and most cost effective means by which to communicate with the officer in charge of their local police service. It is not therefore, a personal detail.

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/t...

Yours faithfully,

William Richards