Deputy Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick

The request was partially successful.

Dear Sir or Madam,

1. Has Deputy Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick ever attended a Common Purpose training course?

If so, please list the courses she has attended, their dates, their cost and details of who paid for them.

2. Is Deputy Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick a Common Purpose "graduate"?

By Common Purpose, I mean the training organisation of that name: http://www.commonpurpose.org/home.aspx By Common Purpose "graduate", I refer to a specific class of person who has passed the advanced Common Purpose courses.

Yours faithfully,

John Walker

Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)

Dear Mr Walker

Freedom of Information Request Reference No: 2008060005041
I write in connection with your request for information which was received
by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on 18/06/2008. I note you seek
access to the following information:

* Has Deputy Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick ever attended a Common
Purpose training course? If so, please list the courses she has
attended, their dates, their cost and details of who paid for them.

* Is Deputy Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick a Common Purpose
"graduate"?
* By Common Purpose, I mean the training organisation of that name:
http://www.commonpurpose.org/home.aspx By Common Purpose
"graduate", I refer to a specific class of person who has passed the
advanced Common Purpose courses.

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.

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 choose not to make payment then your
request will remain unanswered.

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.

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

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest
in the MPS.

Should you have any further inquiries concerning this matter, please
write or contact Shannon Aldridge on telephone number 020 7161 3527
quoting the reference number above.

Yours sincerely

Shannon Aldridge
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 three months.
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

show quoted sections

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am still waiting for the courtesy of an answer to this question.

A response is overdue.

Yours sincerely,

John Walker

Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)

Dear Mr Walker
Freedom of Information Request Reference No: 2008060005041
I write in connection with your request for information which was received
by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on 18 June 2008. I note you seek
access to the following information:

1. Has Deputy Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick ever attended a Common
Purpose training course? If so, please list the courses she has attended,
their dates, their cost and details of who paid for them.

2. Is Deputy Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick a Common Purpose
"graduate"? By Common Purpose, I mean the training organisation of that
name: http://www.commonpurpose.org/home.aspx. By Common Purpose
"graduate", I refer to a specific class of person who has passed the
advanced Common Purpose courses.
I regret to inform you that the MPS has not been able to complete its
response to your request by 18 July 2008.

I now advise you that the amended date for a response is 01 August 2008. I
can assure you that every effort will be made to ensure an appropriate
response will be made within this new timescale.

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

May I apologise for any inconvenience caused. Should you wish to discuss
this matter please write or contact Damion Baird on telephone number 0207
230 5204 quoting the reference number above.

Thank you for your interest in the MPS.

Yours sincerely

Damion Baird
Information Manager
Directorate of Professional Standards
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 three months.
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

show quoted sections

Dear Sir or Madam,

I can't see what the problem is. You only need to contact Deputy Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick and ask her.

Why is this expected to take nearly six weeks?

Yours sincerely,

Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)

Dear Mr Walker

Freedom of Information Request Reference No: 2008060005041

I write in connection with your request for information which was received
by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on 18 June 2008. I note you seek
access to the following information:
1. Has Deputy Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick ever attended a Common
Purpose training course? If so, please list the courses she has attended,
their dates, their cost and details of who paid for them.
2. Is Deputy Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick a Common Purpose
"graduate"? By Common Purpose, I mean the training organisation of that
name: http://www.commonpurpose.org/home.aspx. By Common Purpose
"graduate", I refer to a specific class of person who has passed the
advanced Common Purpose courses.
I regret to inform you that the MPS has not been able to complete its
response to your request by 01 August 2008.
I now advise you that the amended date for a response is 08 August 2008. I
can assure you that every effort will be made to ensure an appropriate
response will be made within this new timescale.
Your attention is drawn to the attached sheet which details your right of
complaint.
May I apologise for any inconvenience caused. Should you wish to discuss
this matter please write or contact Damion Baird on telephone number 0207
230 5204 quoting the reference number above.
Thank you for your interest in the MPS.
Yours sincerely

Damion Baird
Information Manager
Directorate of Professional Standards

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 three months.
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

show quoted sections

Dear Damion Baird

I require a direct and straight-forward answer to this question:

Why is it taking so long for you to answer this simple question about Cressida Dick?

Yours sincerely,

John Walker

Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)

Dear Mr Walker

Freedom of Information Request Reference No: 2008060005041

I write in connection with your request for information which was received
by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on 18 June 2008. I apologise for
the delay in responding to your request and any inconvenience caused. I
note you seek access to the following information.

1. Has Deputy Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick ever attended a Common
Purpose training course? If so, please list the courses she has attended,
their dates, their cost and details of who paid for them.

2. Is Deputy Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick a Common Purpose
"graduate"? By Common Purpose, I mean the training organisation of that
name: http://www.commonpurpose.org/home.aspx. By Common Purpose
"graduate", I refer to a specific class of person who has passed the
advanced Common Purpose courses.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick attended a training course run
by Common Purpose whilst serving with Thames Valley Police (TVP) in
1995/1996. Unfortunately, I am currently unable to provide the details you
have requested regarding this course as this information is not held by
the MPS.

In order to assist you with your request, I have written to TVP to obtain
this information which has delayed my providing a response to you. I will
address your questions once I have received a response from TVP.

I thank you for your continued patience in awaiting my response.

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 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 three months.
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

show quoted sections

Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)

Dear Mr Walker

Freedom of Information Request Reference No: 2008060005041

I write in connection with your request for information which was received
by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on 18 June 2008. I apologise for
the delay in responding to your request and thank you for your continued
patience in awaiting a response to your request for information. I note
you seek access to the following information.

1. Has Deputy Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick ever attended a Common
Purpose training course? If so, please list the courses she has attended,
their dates, their cost and details of who paid for them.

2. Is Deputy Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick a Common Purpose
"graduate"? By Common Purpose, I mean the training organisation of that
name: http://www.commonpurpose.org/home.aspx. By Common Purpose
"graduate", I refer to a specific class of person who has passed the
advanced Common Purpose courses.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick attended a training course run
by Common Purpose whilst serving with Thames Valley Police (TVP).
Unfortunately, I am currently unable to provide details of the name or
cost of this course, or who paid for it, as the requested information is
no longer held by TVP and is not held by the MPS.

In response to your second question, there is no information held by the
MPS or TVP that would indicate that Deputy Assistant Commissioner Cressida
Dick is a 'Common Purpose Graduate'.

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 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 three months.
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

show quoted sections

Joe Kilker left an annotation ()

It's hard to believe, given an established connection with Common Purpose, that when, according to Radio 4's Profile programme, Cressida Dick took a 'career break' from Thames Valley Police, to become a 'full time student' at Cambridge in 2001, studying criminology, she didn't do so with the assistance of CP as well. Or was this the self same 'training course'?

Jean James left an annotation ()

I have it on good authority that not only is she a Common Purpose graduate, but that she teaches Common Purpose workshops to members of the Metropolitan Police on an ongoing basis.

If this is incorrect, she/they have only to correct me.

The fact that they have played games with you on the FOI shrieks loudly that what I say is true.

Jean James left an annotation ()

I have it on good authority that not only is she a Common Purpose graduate, but that she teaches Common Purpose workshops to members of the Metropolitan Police on an ongoing basis.

If this is incorrect, she/they have only to correct me.