Callsign ID letters

The request was refused by Essex Police.

Dear Essex Police,

Can you provide the identification letters for callsigns used accross divisions such as Traffic is QTxxx, where x replaces numbers. Can you provide this for your local policing teams, Traffic units and Armed units?

Yours faithfully,

J Cox

Data FOI Essex,

1 Attachment

Thank you for your enquiry which has been logged under the reference
12294. 

Under the Freedom of Information Act we are required to reply within 20
working days.  The Act does not specify a limit to the number of
information requests a public authority may receive or the number of
requests or questions an applicant may submit.  However, there are
exemptions in the Act that can apply and these include where the cost of
complying with the request would extend beyond the reasonable cost limit,
(currently 18 hours or £450), or if the request is otherwise manifestly
unreasonable in its scope or nature. 

 

Requests that ask a great many questions, or a number of detailed requests
submitted at the same time, may make it necessary for Essex Police to
refuse the requests wholly or in part. The exemption at s14 may be engaged
if the burden on the authority is increased through multiple requests on
differing subjects

 

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has responsibility for
providing oversight and guidance for the legislation and they have
produced advice for applicants on submitting effective requests.  Further
information can be found on the Commissioner’s website at
[1]www.ico.gov.uk specific information relating to submitting a request
can be found at:
[2]https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/offici...

                                                      

While we process your request, please take the time to consider the ICO’s
advice and whether you feel it may be beneficial to amend or refine your
request. Our team is happy to discuss your request with you and will be
able to provide advice as to what kind of information will be available
from Essex Police.

 

Kind regards

 

 

 

Information Rights Team

Information Management Department

Strategic Change Directorate

E-Mail:[email address]

[3]cid:image001.png@01D3E908.EC4D1080

If you require further information or wish to submit a request, please
refer to the information found on the Commissioner’s website regarding
submission of effective requests
[4]https://www.ico.org.uk/for_the_public/of...

 

Your right to complain

 

If you feel your request has not been properly handled, or you are
otherwise dissatisfied with the outcome of your request you have the right
to complain.

 

Complaints should be submitted within 20 working days from the date of
this response and should be addressed to the Senior Information Officer at
the above address or by email to: [5][Essex Police request email]

 

We will conduct a review to investigate your complaint and endeavour to
reply within 20 working days.

 

Please explain which aspect of the reply you are not satisfied with, and
if your complaint concerns the decision to apply an exemption it would
assist the review if you would outline why you believe the exemption does
not apply.

              

If you are still dissatisfied following our review, you have the right
under section 50 of the Act to complain directly to the Information
Commissioner. Before considering your complaint, the Information
Commissioner would normally expect you to have exhausted the complaints
procedures provided by Essex Police

 

The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: Information
Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9
5AF or via [6]https://ico.org.uk/

 

 

 

show quoted sections

Data FOI Essex,

1 Attachment

Thank you for your enquiry which has been logged under the above
reference.

Section 1 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) places two duties
on public authorities. Unless exemptions apply, the first duty at
Sec1(1)(a) is to confirm or deny whether the information specified in a
request is held. The second duty at Sec1(1)(b) is to disclose information
that has been confirmed as being held. Where exemptions are relied upon
s17 of FOIA requires that we provide the applicant with a notice which: a)
states that fact b) specifies the exemption(s) in question and c) states
(if that would not otherwise be apparent) why the exemption applies.

In respect of your enquiry:

Can you provide the identification letters for call signs used across
divisions such as Traffic is QTxxx, where x replaces numbers.

Can you provide this for your local policing teams, Traffic units and
Armed units?

Having completed enquiries Essex Police is able to respond as follows:

In respect of Sec 1(1)(a), Essex Police does hold information relating to
your request and can confirm in respect of Sec 1(1)(b) the following
comments provided in relation to your FOI submission.

 

All Essex Police commands (including Local Policing Areas North, South and
West; Public Protection, the Essex and Kent Police Serious Crime
Directorate and Operational Policing Command including firearms officers,
dogs and Roads Policing) all have their own bespoke call signs dependent
on the area of business and area of the county that is being policed. Some
officers, including Community Policing Team staff have their own
individual call signs, as do Detectives on Local Policing Areas and Public
Protection teams.

 

Essex Police will not provide any further breakdown by virtue of the
following exemptions:

 

31 Law enforcement

(1) Information which is not exempt information by virtue of section 30 is
exempt information if its disclosure under this Act would, or would be
likely to, prejudice—

(a) the prevention or detection of crime,

 

 

Section 31(1)(a) Law enforcement is applied to prevent the impact on
Police resources and to hinder the detection of crime. Any disclosure
relating to the number and functionality could allow the force capability
to be identified and allow those with criminal intent to take advantage of
the information and disrupt force activity.

 

Section 31 is a class based qualified exemption and there is a requirement
to consider the public interest to ensure neither confirming or denying
any other information is held is appropriate.

 

Factors Harm in favouring additional disclosure

To provide additional information would enable the public to have a better
understanding of the effectiveness of the police and provide details of
where public funds are spent and how resources are used and enable the
pubic to see how the police are deployed to detect crime

 

Factors against additional disclosure

 

Police capabilities could be effected by releasing the level of
information requested.

 

Knowing specific call signs for specific areas would enable individuals
the opportunity to speak on the network with a level of authenticity that
could cause major problems.  It could allow criminals to try and disrupt
local policing in order to facilitate a crime.

 

And Section 38 Health and Safety. 

(1) Information is exempt information if its disclosure under this Act
would, or would be likely to—
a) endanger the physical or mental health of any individual, or
b) endanger the safety of any individual.

 

Factors favouring disclosure for S38

By disclosing information the public can see where public money is being
spent and improves public awareness of the capabilities of the police
force.

 

Factors favouring non disclosure for S38

 

Section 38(1)(a)(b) Health and Safety, as officers and perhaps the
public’s s safety could be compromised by releasing this information.
Releasing call signs relating to specific units could allow those units to
be targeted or diverted to an area where they could be put at risk.

 

The exemption at s38 applies to ‘any individual’. This may be a police
officer, a witness, a member of the public, the applicant, friends and
relatives etc and the harm may be actual or perceived. It refers to
physical, mental, emotional, psychological etc. types of harm.

 

Balancing Test

 

Information disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act is made public
to the world when released and has an impact on all areas of the country
not just within the jurisdiction of one public authority. Whilst there is
a public interest in the transparency of resources and operations there is
a strong public interest in safeguarding police operations and ensuring
the safety of individuals.

The safety of both Officers and the Public is paramount and it would not
be appropriate to release details that could endanger individuals and
therefore the balance in this case falls to non-disclosure.

 

Essex Police trusts that the information provided is of assistance. Thank
you for your interest.

 

Kind Regards

Information Rights Team

Information Management Department

Strategic Change Directorate

E-Mail:[email address]

 

If you require further information or wish to submit a request, please
refer to the information found on the Commissioner’s website regarding
submission of effective requests
[1]https://www.ico.org.uk/for_the_public/of...

 

Your right to complain

 

If you feel your request has not been properly handled, or you are
otherwise dissatisfied with the outcome of your request you have the right
to complain.

 

Complaints should be submitted within 20 working days from the date of
this response and should be addressed to the Senior Information Officer at
the above address or by email to: [2][Essex Police request email]

 

We will conduct a review to investigate your complaint and endeavour to
reply within 20 working days.

 

Please explain which aspect of the reply you are not satisfied with, and
if your complaint concerns the decision to apply an exemption it would
assist the review if you would outline why you believe the exemption does
not apply.

               

If you are still dissatisfied following our review, you have the right
under section 50 of the Act to complain directly to the Information
Commissioner. Before considering your complaint, the Information
Commissioner would normally expect you to have exhausted the complaints
procedures provided by Essex Police

 

The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: Information
Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9
5AF or via [3]https://ico.org.uk/

 

 

From: Data FOI Essex
Sent: 25 October 2018 13:31
To: Joseph Cox <[4][FOI #528396 email]>
Subject: FOI 12294 - Callsign ID letters

 

Thank you for your enquiry which has been logged under the reference
12294. 

Under the Freedom of Information Act we are required to reply within 20
working days.  The Act does not specify a limit to the number of
information requests a public authority may receive or the number of
requests or questions an applicant may submit.  However, there are
exemptions in the Act that can apply and these include where the cost of
complying with the request would extend beyond the reasonable cost limit,
(currently 18 hours or £450), or if the request is otherwise manifestly
unreasonable in its scope or nature. 

 

Requests that ask a great many questions, or a number of detailed requests
submitted at the same time, may make it necessary for Essex Police to
refuse the requests wholly or in part. The exemption at s14 may be engaged
if the burden on the authority is increased through multiple requests on
differing subjects

 

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has responsibility for
providing oversight and guidance for the legislation and they have
produced advice for applicants on submitting effective requests.  Further
information can be found on the Commissioner’s website at
[5]www.ico.gov.uk specific information relating to submitting a request
can be found at:
[6]https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/offici...

                                                      

While we process your request, please take the time to consider the ICO’s
advice and whether you feel it may be beneficial to amend or refine your
request. Our team is happy to discuss your request with you and will be
able to provide advice as to what kind of information will be available
from Essex Police.

 

Kind regards

 

 

 

Information Rights Team

Information Management Department

Strategic Change Directorate

E-Mail:[email address]

[7]cid:image001.png@01D3E908.EC4D1080

If you require further information or wish to submit a request, please
refer to the information found on the Commissioner’s website regarding
submission of effective requests
[8]https://www.ico.org.uk/for_the_public/of...

 

Your right to complain

 

If you feel your request has not been properly handled, or you are
otherwise dissatisfied with the outcome of your request you have the right
to complain.

 

Complaints should be submitted within 20 working days from the date of
this response and should be addressed to the Senior Information Officer at
the above address or by email to: [9][Essex Police request email]

 

We will conduct a review to investigate your complaint and endeavour to
reply within 20 working days.

 

Please explain which aspect of the reply you are not satisfied with, and
if your complaint concerns the decision to apply an exemption it would
assist the review if you would outline why you believe the exemption does
not apply.

              

If you are still dissatisfied following our review, you have the right
under section 50 of the Act to complain directly to the Information
Commissioner. Before considering your complaint, the Information
Commissioner would normally expect you to have exhausted the complaints
procedures provided by Essex Police

 

The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: Information
Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9
5AF or via [10]https://ico.org.uk/

 

 

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

[11][FOI #528396 email]

 

Is [12][Essex Police request email] the wrong address for Freedom of
Information requests to Essex Police? If so, please contact us using this
form:

[13]https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/change_re...

 

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:

[14]https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/offi...

 

For more detailed guidance on safely disclosing information, read the
latest advice from the ICO:

[15]https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/ico-...

 

Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will
be delayed.

 

If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

 

 

show quoted sections

Mark Heard 42073464,

1 Attachment

Thank you for your enquiry which has been logged under the above
reference.

Section 1 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) places two duties
on public authorities. Unless exemptions apply, the first duty at
Sec1(1)(a) is to confirm or deny whether the information specified in a
request is held. The second duty at Sec1(1)(b) is to disclose information
that has been confirmed as being held. Where exemptions are relied upon
s17 of FOIA requires that we provide the applicant with a notice which: a)
states that fact b) specifies the exemption(s) in question and c) states
(if that would not otherwise be apparent) why the exemption applies.

In respect of your enquiry:

Can you provide the identification letters for call signs used across
divisions such as Traffic is QTxxx, where x replaces numbers.

Can you provide this for your local policing teams, Traffic units and
Armed units?

Having completed my enquiries I am able to respond as follows:

In respect of Sec 1(1)(a), Essex Police does hold information relating
to your request. I have made enquiries within Essex Police and I can
confirm in respect of Sec 1(1)(b) the following comments provided to me in
relation to your FOI submission.

 

All Essex Police commands (including Local Policing Areas North, South and
West; Public Protection, the Essex and Kent Police Serious Crime
Directorate and Operational Policing Command including firearms officers,
dogs and Roads Policing) all have their own bespoke call signs dependent
on the area of business and area of the county that is being policed. Some
officers, including Community Policing Team staff have their own
individual call signs, as do Detectives on Local Policing Areas and Public
Protection teams.

 

Essex Police will not provide any further breakdown by virtue of the
following exemptions:

 

31 Law enforcement

(1) Information which is not exempt information by virtue of section 30 is
exempt information if its disclosure under this Act would, or would be
likely to, prejudice—

(a) the prevention or detection of crime,

 

 

Section 31(1)(a) Law enforcement is applied to prevent the impact on
Police resources and to hinder the detection of crime. Any disclosure
relating to the number and functionality could allow the force capability
to be identified and allow those with criminal intent to take advantage of
the information and disrupt force activity.

 

Section 31 is a class based qualified exemption and there is a requirement
to consider the public interest to ensure neither confirming or denying
any other information is held is appropriate.

 

Factors Harm in favouring additional disclosure

To provide additional information would enable the public to have a better
understanding of the effectiveness of the police and provide details of
where public funds are spent and how resources are used and enable the
pubic to see how the police are deployed to detect crime

 

Factors against additional disclosure

 

Police capabilities could be effected by releasing the level of
information requested.

 

Knowing specific call signs for specific areas would enable individuals
the opportunity to speak on the network with a level of authenticity that
could cause major problems.  It could allow criminals to try and disrupt
local policing in order to facilitate a crime.

 

And Section 38 Health and Safety. 

(1) Information is exempt information if its disclosure under this Act
would, or would be likely to—
a) endanger the physical or mental health of any individual, or
b) endanger the safety of any individual.

 

Factors favouring disclosure for S38

By disclosing information the public can see where public money is being
spent and improves public awareness of the capabilities of the police
force.

 

Factors favouring non disclosure for S38

 

Section 38(1)(a)(b) Health and Safety, as officers and perhaps the
public’s s safety could be compromised by releasing this information.
Releasing call signs relating to specific units could allow those units to
be targeted or diverted to an area where they could be put at risk.

 

The exemption at s38 applies to ‘any individual’. This may be a police
officer, a witness, a member of the public, the applicant, friends and
relatives etc and the harm may be actual or perceived. It refers to
physical, mental, emotional, psychological etc. types of harm.

 

Balancing Test

 

Information disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act is made public
to the world when released and has an impact on all areas of the country
not just within the jurisdiction of one public authority. Whilst there is
a public interest in the transparency of resources and operations there is
a strong public interest in safeguarding police operations and ensuring
the safety of individuals.

The safety of both Officers and the Public is paramount and it would not
be appropriate to release details that could endanger individuals and
therefore the balance in this case falls to non-disclosure.

 

Essex Police trusts that the information I have provided is of assistance.
Thank you for your interest.

 

Kind Regards

Information Rights Team

Information Management Department

Strategic Change Directorate

E-Mail:[email address]

 

If you require further information or wish to submit a request, please
refer to the information found on the Commissioner’s website regarding
submission of effective requests
[1]https://www.ico.org.uk/for_the_public/of...

 

Your right to complain

 

If you feel your request has not been properly handled, or you are
otherwise dissatisfied with the outcome of your request you have the right
to complain.

 

Complaints should be submitted within 20 working days from the date of
this response and should be addressed to the Senior Information Officer at
the above address or by email to: [2][Essex Police request email]

 

We will conduct a review to investigate your complaint and endeavour to
reply within 20 working days.

 

Please explain which aspect of the reply you are not satisfied with, and
if your complaint concerns the decision to apply an exemption it would
assist the review if you would outline why you believe the exemption does
not apply.

               

If you are still dissatisfied following our review, you have the right
under section 50 of the Act to complain directly to the Information
Commissioner. Before considering your complaint, the Information
Commissioner would normally expect you to have exhausted the complaints
procedures provided by Essex Police

 

The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: Information
Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9
5AF or via [3]https://ico.org.uk/

 

,

 

 

 

From: Data FOI Essex
Sent: 25 October 2018 13:31
To: Joseph Cox <[4][FOI #528396 email]>
Subject: FOI 12294 - Callsign ID letters

 

Thank you for your enquiry which has been logged under the reference
12294. 

Under the Freedom of Information Act we are required to reply within 20
working days.  The Act does not specify a limit to the number of
information requests a public authority may receive or the number of
requests or questions an applicant may submit.  However, there are
exemptions in the Act that can apply and these include where the cost of
complying with the request would extend beyond the reasonable cost limit,
(currently 18 hours or £450), or if the request is otherwise manifestly
unreasonable in its scope or nature. 

 

Requests that ask a great many questions, or a number of detailed requests
submitted at the same time, may make it necessary for Essex Police to
refuse the requests wholly or in part. The exemption at s14 may be engaged
if the burden on the authority is increased through multiple requests on
differing subjects

 

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has responsibility for
providing oversight and guidance for the legislation and they have
produced advice for applicants on submitting effective requests.  Further
information can be found on the Commissioner’s website at
[5]www.ico.gov.uk specific information relating to submitting a request
can be found at:
[6]https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/offici...

                                                      

While we process your request, please take the time to consider the ICO’s
advice and whether you feel it may be beneficial to amend or refine your
request. Our team is happy to discuss your request with you and will be
able to provide advice as to what kind of information will be available
from Essex Police.

 

Kind regards

 

 

 

Information Rights Team

Information Management Department

Strategic Change Directorate

E-Mail:[email address]

[7]cid:image001.png@01D3E908.EC4D1080

If you require further information or wish to submit a request, please
refer to the information found on the Commissioner’s website regarding
submission of effective requests
[8]https://www.ico.org.uk/for_the_public/of...

 

Your right to complain

 

If you feel your request has not been properly handled, or you are
otherwise dissatisfied with the outcome of your request you have the right
to complain.

 

Complaints should be submitted within 20 working days from the date of
this response and should be addressed to the Senior Information Officer at
the above address or by email to: [9][Essex Police request email]

 

We will conduct a review to investigate your complaint and endeavour to
reply within 20 working days.

 

Please explain which aspect of the reply you are not satisfied with, and
if your complaint concerns the decision to apply an exemption it would
assist the review if you would outline why you believe the exemption does
not apply.

              

If you are still dissatisfied following our review, you have the right
under section 50 of the Act to complain directly to the Information
Commissioner. Before considering your complaint, the Information
Commissioner would normally expect you to have exhausted the complaints
procedures provided by Essex Police

 

The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: Information
Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9
5AF or via [10]https://ico.org.uk/

 

 

Can you provide the identification letters for callsigns used accross
divisions such as Traffic is QTxxx, where x replaces numbers. Can you
provide this for your local policing teams, Traffic units and Armed units?

 

Yours faithfully,

 

J Cox

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

[11][FOI #528396 email]

 

Is [12][Essex Police request email] the wrong address for Freedom of
Information requests to Essex Police? If so, please contact us using this
form:

[13]https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/change_re...

 

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:

[14]https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/offi...

 

For more detailed guidance on safely disclosing information, read the
latest advice from the ICO:

[15]https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/ico-...

 

Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will
be delayed.

 

If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

 

 

show quoted sections