Breakdown of Complaints Units

The request was partially successful.

Dear Metropolitan Police Service (MPS),

the information I request under the Act is the names of all complaint related departments, the roles of each department and the staffing numbers in each department by rank

Yours faithfully,

Dave Mercer

Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)

Dear Mr Mercer

Freedom of Information Request Reference No: 2010020003067
I write in connection with your request for information which was
received by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on 12/02/2010. I note
you seek access to the following information:

* "Dear Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), the information I request
under the Act is the names of all complaint related departments, the
roles of each department and the staffing numbers in each department
by rank "

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 the MPS 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.

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.

COMPLAINT RIGHTS

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

Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please
write or contact Peter Deja on telephone number 0207 161 3640 quoting
the reference number above.

Yours sincerely

Peter Deja
Policy and support officer
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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Sarah Joseph left an annotation ()

We appear to be seeking similar information

www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/disciplin...

Dave Merccer left an annotation ()

I don't follow you. Will send PM
DM

Dear Metropolitan Police Service (MPS),

your say

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 the MPS 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.

but you have not provided me a response within
the statutory timescale of 20 working days as defined by the Act and you have not informed me that you may not be able to achieve this deadline and you have not informed me and you have not given me a revised time-scale. why not? when will i get the data i have applied for under the act?

Yours faithfully,

Dave Mercer

Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)

Dear Mr Mercer,
I have forwarded your email to the information manager who is dealing
with your request, and I have asked him to contact you with a update on
your request.

Kind regards

Peter Deja
Policy and Support Officer

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Dear Mr Deja

I have not been contacted
i do not have the data
i do not have the revised time scales
no one has contacted me about time scales

why not?

Yours faithfully,

Dave Mercer

Dave Merccer left an annotation ()

31st March 2010

Case Reference Number FS50301473

Dear Mr Mercer

Your information request to Metropolitan Police Service dated 12/02/10

Thank you for your correspondence dated 14/03/10 in which you complain about the Metropolitan Police Services’ failure to respond to your information request.

In cases such as this the Commissioner does not consider that serving a formal decision notice would serve any strong public interest. However, I have written to the public authority to provide them with a copy of your original request, reminding it of its responsibilities and asking it to respond to you within 10 working days of receiving our letter. I enclose a copy for your information.

As you will see, even though the Commissioner does not intend to issue a formal notice in this case, your concerns have been taken seriously. Thank you for bringing this matter to the attention of the Information Commissioner.

If the Metropolitan Police Service responds and refuses to release the information you have asked for and you are dissatisfied, you may, after exhausting their internal complaints procedure, complain to us again.

This case has now been closed with the delayed response element showing as ‘withdrawn’ on our records. If you do not receive a response within 10 working days or are dissatisfied after having exhausted the internal review process mentioned above and would like us to look into the matter, please contact us quoting the reference number on this letter.

I have enclosed a fact sheet explaining our approach to handling complaints. Should you have any questions about this please contact our Helpline on 0303 123 1113 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 0303 123 1113 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

Yours sincerely,

Jim Dunn

FoI Case Officer

FoI Case Reception Unit

The Information Commissioner’s Office

Dave Merccer left an annotation ()

from the ICO:

31st March 2010

Case Reference Number FS50301473

Dear Ms Lander

Your Ref: 2010020003067

Freedom of Information Act 2000

Complaint from Dave Mercer

I am writing to confirm that the Information Commissioner has received a complaint from Dave Mercer stating that no response has been sent to an information request submitted to your organisation on 12/02/10, which you have acknowledged as having been received. We enclose a copy of this request for your information which has been allocated your reference number quoted above.

Any public authority in receipt of such a request is under a duty to respond within 20 working days of receipt. As it is the case that you have not responded but acknowledged receipt of the request, we would ask that you now respond within 10 working days of receipt of this letter. We should be grateful if you could also provide a copy of your response to this office.

You should state whether or not the information is held in a recorded form. If it is held, you should either provide the information or issue a refusal notice in accordance with the requirements of section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act or regulation 14 of the Environmental Information Regulations as appropriate. You can find more information on refusal notices contained in the guidance issued by the Commissioner which is available at:

http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/l...

http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/l...

Finally you should be aware that the Information Commissioner often receives requests for copies of the letters we send and receive when dealing with casework. Not only are we obliged to deal with these in accordance with the access provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 (the DPA) and the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the FoIA), it is in the public interest that we are open, transparent and accountable for the work that we do.

However, whilst we want to disclose as much information as we reasonably can, there will be occasions where full disclosure would be wrong. It is also important that the disclosures we make do not undermine the confidence and trust in the Commissioner of those who correspond with him.

When you reply to this letter, I would be grateful if you would indicate whether any of the information you provide in connection with this matter is confidential, or for any other reason should not be disclosed to anyone who requests it. I should make clear that simply preferring that the information is withheld may not be enough to prevent disclosure. You should have a good reason why this information should not be disclosed to anyone else and explain this to us clearly and fully.

For further advice on how to deal with information requests, please visit our website at www.ico.gov.uk or call our helpline on 0303 123 1113.

When contacting us about this matter, please quote the case reference number from the top of this letter.

Yours sincerely,

Jim Dunn

FoI Case Officer

FoI Case Reception Unit

Information Commissioner’s Office

Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)

Dear Mr Mercer,
Thank you for your email below.
I Have contacted the information manager [ Mr Damion Baird]- who is
working on your request again, and I have asked him to contact you
with a update on your request [ref 2010020003067].

Kind regards

Peter Deja
Policy and Support Officer
Public Access Office
London SW6 1SF

Tel: 0207 161 3640
Fax:0207 161 3503
Email: [email address]

Protective Marking:
Not / Suitable for Publication:

Recipients of this email should be aware that all communications within
and to and from the Metropolitan Police Service are subject to
consideration for release under the Data Protection Act, Freedom of
Information Act and Environmental Information Regulations. The MPS will
consider information for release unless there is are valid and
proportionate public interest reasons not to, therefore, sensitive
information not for public disclosure must be highlighted as such.
Further advice can be obtained from the Public Access Office - 783500.

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P Swift left an annotation ()

I note your request and the involvement of Mr Baird of the MPS DPS. Have you received an update ... my money's on 'NO'.

www.urlittlepeople.co.uk

Dear Metropolitan Police Service (MPS),

Please see the history at:

http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/28...

You fail to comply with the law and provide data, you do not treat me with respect or write honestly. you are bringing your constabulary's name into disrepute and causing me to question the honesty of your organisation.

when am i to hear further and receive my information?

Yours faithfully,

Dave Mercer

Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)

Dear Mr Mercer,
Thank you for your email below.
I have contacted the Information Manager - Damion Baird , today- [
19/4/2010] and asked if he could provide you with an update on your
request [ref 2010020003067].

Regards

Peter Deja
Policy and Support Officer
Public Access Office
London SW6 1SF

Tel: 0207 161 3640
Fax:0207 161 3503
Email: [email address]

Protective Marking:
Not / Suitable for Publication:

Recipients of this email should be aware that all communications within
and to and from the Metropolitan Police Service are subject to
consideration for release under the Data Protection Act, Freedom of
Information Act and Environmental Information Regulations. The MPS will
consider information for release unless there is are valid and
proportionate public interest reasons not to, therefore, sensitive
information not for public disclosure must be highlighted as such.
Further advice can be obtained from the Public Access Office - 783500.

show quoted sections

Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)

Dear Mr Mercer,
I Have just spoken with the Information manager [ Damion Baird] , who is
working on your request - he has asked me to send you a update from him [
as he is currently having a problem with his computer.

Please see the update from mr Baird below;

Dear Mr Mercer,

Freedom of Information Request Reference No: 2010020003067

I write in connection with your request for information dated 12 February
2010. I apologise for the continued delay in responding to your request. I
am currently collating the remaining answers to the questions you have
asked and will be in a position to respond to your shortly.

I thank you for your patience in awaiting my response.

Yours sincerely

Damion Baird
Information Manager

Kind regards

Peter Deja
Policy and Support Officer
Public Access Office
London SW6 1SF

Tel: 0207 161 3640
Fax:0207 161 3503
Email: [email address]

Protective Marking:
Not / Suitable for Publication:

Recipients of this email should be aware that all communications within
and to and from the Metropolitan Police Service are subject to
consideration for release under the Data Protection Act, Freedom of
Information Act and Environmental Information Regulations. The MPS will
consider information for release unless there is are valid and
proportionate public interest reasons not to, therefore, sensitive
information not for public disclosure must be highlighted as such. Further
advice can be obtained from the Public Access Office - 783500.

show quoted sections

P Swift left an annotation ()

Mr Merccer

On 12th February you requested information.
By the 31st March this had still not been received and having complained to the ICO, they advised you should receive the data in 10 working days , state whether or not the information is held in a recorded form etc.
12th April a Peter Deja of the MPS states that he asked Damion Baird who is ‘working’ on your request to contact you
Possibly contact between the two was not by email but for Damion to be working on your request, presumably he had a computer that worked?
16th April you chase the matter because Damion Baird has not contacted you – did he ignore Peter Deja intentionally
19th April, Peter Deja writes that he has contacted Damion Baird and asked him to provide you with an update. I question how contact was made – by email … was Mr Baird’s computer working at this time?
Later in the day, Peter speaks with Damion who is having a ‘problem’ with his computer but will contact you ‘shortly’.

Do you believe what you are being told? You are subject to delays, Damion Baird does not contact you, no one indicates when the information will be available – just how long is the ‘shortly’ piece of string? Even the ICO’s direction is ignored.

Can it really be that difficult to provide staffing details? It appears you are being fobbed off … time to return to the ICO I would suggest.

Dave Merccer left an annotation ()

Yes, so it would seem. Mr Baird can write a message to a colleague with his defective equipment but not keep the ICO or me updated. what conclusion would the ordinary man draw.

thank you for your interest

DM

Dave Merccer left an annotation ()

Case Reference Number FS50301473‏
From: DM
Sent: 21 April 2010 09:47:20
To: casework@ico.gsi.gov.uk

Dear Sirs
I wish to make complaints about the MPS, their failure to:

1. provide information within 40 days
2. keep me advised
3. supply data after you had directed it should be supplied in 10 days

i still do not possess the information and have no idea when it is to be supplied.
yours faithfully

DM

Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)

1 Attachment

Dear Mr Mercer,

Freedom of Information Request Reference No: 2010020003067

I write in response to your request for information that was received by
the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on 12 February 2010. I apologise for
the delay in responding to your request and any inconvenience caused. I
note that you seek access to the following information:

* The names of all complaint related departments, the roles of each
department and the staffing numbers in each department by rank .

Following receipt of your request, I have conducted searches to locate
information relevant to your request. These searches located records
relevant to your request.

DECISION
I have disclosed the located information to you in full.

Table One: MPS Complaint Departments broken down by Officer/Staff
Rank, Number of Staff and Department.

The Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS) of which the DPS
Borough Support Units and Customer Service Team form part of, performs
a number of roles including the investigation of public complaints
and/or any investigation into alleged conduct that constitutes gross
misconduct. Please note that Band E, D, C and B are police staff
grades within the MPS and that Borough PSCs will perform this role, in
addition to their normal duties.

Borough Support Units
The role of the Borough Support Units (BSUs) is to investigate public
complaints where initial attempts to resolve complaints have been
unsuccessful. BSUs will also investigate more serious public
complaints, investigate internal matters where allegations are of a
serious nature and provide advice and guidance to boroughs and MPS
departments as to discipline and other complaint/police conduct
related matters.

Customer Service Team
The Customer Service Team (CST) is the central point of receipt for
all complaints against police received by the MPS that are not taken
directly on Boroughs and other MPS departments.

The CST record new complaints, conduct initial assessments and decide
where they should be dealt with. The CST will also resolve less
serious complaints against police.

Professional Standards Champions
The term 'Borough PSCs' refers to Borough Professional Standards
Champions. This a police officer of at least the rank of Chief
Inspector, or a senior police staff member who has received training
in dealing with alleged misconduct. PSCs are central points of contact
within boroughs/MPS departments for complaint and conduct related
matters.

The MPS believe that securing and maintaining the trust of the
community is integral to the principle of policing by consent and that
we must police fairly, with integrity and with professionalism. The
MPS accordingly employs a number of police officers and police staff
in roles dedicated to ensuring that complaints are dealt with in an
impartial, fair and proportionate manner.

This notice concludes your request for information.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest
in the MPS and for your patience in awaiting a response to your
request.

If you are dissatisfied with this response please read the attached
paper entitled Complaint Rights, which explains how to make a
complaint.

Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please
contact me on 0207 230 5204 or at the email address at the top of this
notice, quoting the reference number above.

Yours sincerely

Damion Baird
Information Manager
Directorate of Professional Standards

In complying with their statutory duty under sections 1 and 11 of the
Freedom of Information Act 2000 to release the enclosed information,
the Metropolitan Police Service 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
MPS Directorate of Legal Services, 1st Floor (Victoria Block), New
Scotland Yard, Victoria, London, SW1H 0BG.
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, within forty (40) working days
from the date of the refusal notice, and addressed to:

FOI Complaint
Public Access Office
PO Box 57192
London
SW6 1SF
[email address]

In all possible circumstances the MPS will aim to respond to your
complaint within 20 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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