Dear Tina Irving,

 

I refer to your request for information which we received today.

 

In considering your request for information, I have reviewed the records
which contain applicable information. I have also considered the following
legislation:

 

•                    The Public Services Ombudsman Act (Northern Ireland)
2016 (‘the 2016 Act’)

•                    The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (‘FOIA 2000’)

•                    The Data Protection Act 2018 (‘the DPA 2018)

•                    The General Data Protection Regulation (‘the GDPR’)

 

Your request for Information has been treated as a request for information
in accordance with section 1(1) The Freedom of Information Act 2000.

 

Your Request

 

You requested the following information:

 

“How does the Ombudsman collect information from PSNI when there is no
case outstanding with the said Ombudsman”

 

My Response

 

The Ombudsman's jurisdiction is contained within the Public Services
Ombudsman (Northern Ireland) Act 2016 ("the 2016 Act)"). This can be found
at [1]https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nia/2016/...

 

NIPSO can investigate complaints from an aggrieved in accordance with the
2016 Act.  NIPSO has power to seek evidence by virtue of section 31 "For
the purposes of an investigation, the Ombudsman may require the listed
authority being investigated and any of the persons ....."

 

The Police Service of Northern Ireland ("the PSNI") is not a listed 
authority under the 2016 Act. The PSNI is supervised in respect of
complaints by the Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland
("OPONI"). This is a different organisation from NIPSO and their website
is [2]https://www.policeombudsman.org/

 

NIPSO does not have powers to request information otherwise than in the
course of an investigation.

 

I trust this is off assistance.

 

Conclusion

 

I hope that you are satisfied with this response. If you are not satisfied
with this response to your request, you may ask for an internal review
within two calendar months of the date of this letter. You should contact:

 

Mr Andrew Ruston

Director

Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman’s Office

Progressive House

33 Wellington Place

Belfast

BT1 6HN

Email: [3][email address]

 

If you are not content with the outcome of any internal review requested
by you, you then 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 faithfully,

 

 

Legal Services Department

 

 

 

References

Visible links
1. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nia/2016/...
2. https://www.policeombudsman.org/
3. mailto:[email address]