Dear Mr Chambers
 
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: RFI5341/1
 
I write in connection with your request for information dated and received
on 12th June   2014.
 
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 West Mercia Police 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 chose 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.
 
Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please write
or telephone the Information Compliance Unit quoting the reference number
above.
 
Yours sincerely
 
Regards
 
Sue Cale
Information Compliance Assistant
Business Assurance & Improvement
DD 01905 331545
Ext. 2545
 
 
 

 
 
Dear Mr Chambers
 
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: RFI5386/1
 
I write in connection with your request for information dated and received
on 30th June   2014.
 
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 West Mercia Police 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 chose 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.
 
Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please write
or telephone the Information Compliance Unit quoting the reference number
above.
 
Yours sincerely
 
 
Regards
 
Sue Cale
Information Compliance Assistant
Business Assurance & Improvement
DD 01905 331545
Ext. 2545
 
 
 

Dear Mr Chambers
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: RFI 5325 and 5341
I write in connection with your requests for information which were
received on 6th and 11th June 2014. Please find below the response to your
requests:
1) Why was PC Langford dismissed from his position at WMPF.
 
REPLY: Discreditable Conduct
 
2) How many times has PC Langford been reported for poor, verbal warnings,
miss or gross conduct while working for WMPF.
 
REPLY: Your request for information has now been considered and I am not
obliged to supply the information you have requested.
 
Section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires West Mercia
Police, when refusing to provide such information (because the information
is exempt) to provide you the applicant with a notice which:   (a) states
that fact, (b) specifies the exemption in question and (c) states (if that
would not otherwise be apparent) why the exemption applies.
 
The exemption applicable to the information is:
 
Section 40 (2) Personal information
                This is an absolute exemption
 
Please be advised that any information released as a result of a Freedom
of Information request, in effect, is being released into the public
domain. Therefore, it could subsequently be published or would have to be
made available to any member of the public if it were requested.
 
Any information that relates to an individual, or from which an individual
could be identified, constitutes personal data and to release information
that constitutes personal data into the public domain contravenes the Data
Protection Act 1998. The information that you have requested relates to 
personal data of a third party and therefore it is exempt from disclosure,
the exemption that applies to this type of information is Section 40 of
the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
In accordance with the Act, this letter represents a Refusal Notice for
this part of the request.
 
3) Why is this information not reported on WMPF website in line with
recommendations in the Home Affairs Committee - Sixteenth Report - Police
and Crime Commissioners (26th March 2014) & the Normington report Home
Affairs Committee - Eighteenth Report - Reform of the Police Federation to
all Chief Constables in England as this asked for greater transparency. 
Found at : 
[1]http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa...
 
REPLY: The data on the website will be updated quarterly
 
4)Will this officer lose his police pension.
 
REPLY: This information is exempt by virtue of Section 40 (2) Personal
information. Please see the response to question 2 above.
 
5)What is WMPF to do to stop such actions repeating themselves in the
future.
 
REPLY: WMP have adopted the nationally agreed Code of Ethics for Police
and is continually working to embed this code within the organisation. The
Code of Ethics is available on the College of Policing website.
In addition, WMP has other systems and safeguards in place to ensure staff
and officers behave appropriately e.g. confidential reporting systems.
 
6)DC Andy Gough of WMPF PSD stated PC Langford's conviction shows WMPF
robust position on corrupt police officers so why isn't this information
published on the WMPF website or Twitter account.
 
REPLY: Please see the response to question 3 above.
 
7) How many WMPF officers have been investigated for misconduct or gross
misconduct 2013/14.
 
REPLY:
COMPLAINTS: Between 01/04/2013 and 31/03/2014 there have been 49 police
officers investigated for GROSS MISCONDUCT (25 cases) and 295 officers
investigated for MISCONDUCT (221 cases).
CONDUCTS: Between 01/04/2013 and 31/03/2014 there have been 39 police
officers investigated for GROSS MISCONDUCT (33 cases) and 42 police
officers investigated for MISCONDUCT (31 cases).
Please note that the same offender can feature in both Gross Misconduct
cases and Misconduct cases. In this instance, the officer would be counted
twice.
 
8) Out of investigations for misconduct or gross misconduct what actions
were taken if any as a result.
 
REPLY:

COMPLAINTS:
Initial Assessment Outcome Total
Upheld - by PSD - Management Action 2
Not Upheld - by PSD - No Action 6
Gross Misconduct Not Upheld - by Division - No Action 2
Withdrawn - by Force - No Action 7
LIVE 33

Gross Misconduct Total 50

Upheld - by Division - Management Action 4
Upheld - by Division - No Action 3
Not Upheld - by PSD 3
Not Upheld - by Division 114
Misconduct Local Resolution - by Division 98
Local Resolution - by PSD 3
Disapplication - by Force 3
Discontinued - by Force 5
Withdrawn - by Force 12
LIVE 83

Misconduct Total 328
Grand Total 378

CONDUCTS:
Initial Assessment Outcome Total
Hearing - Dismissal Without Notice 2
Meeting - Final Written Warning 1
Meeting - Written Warning 1
Gross Misconduct Meeting - No Action 1
Management Action 3
No Case to Answer - No Action 9
Retired/Resigned 3
LIVE 19

Gross Misconduct Total 39

Hearing - Special Case - Dismissal Without Notice 1
Misconduct Management Action 11
No Case to Answer - No Action 22
LIVE 9

Misconduct Total 43
Grand Total 82

 
 
9) What is WMPF procedure for dealing with corrupt officers.
 
REPLY: The procedure is set out in legislation under Police Regulations
and relevant criminal law.
Police Conduct Regulations:
[2]https://www.google.com/url?url=https://w...
 
10) Do WMPF PSD abide by the Police Reform Act & IPCC Statutory Guidance.
 
REPLY: WMP do everything we can to ensure compliance, however as with
every other force, timeliness targets as set out in IPCC guidance are not
always achieved in all cases.
 
11) With reference to No. 10 are all complaints or letters of
dissatisfaction dealt with (recorded) within 10 working days.
 
REPLY: No
 
12) What if any is WMPF timescales for completing a complaint into a
corrupt officer/staff member.
 
REPLY: No specific recorded information held.
This will depend on the nature/seriousness/complexity of the allegation
 
13) What are the recorded time it takes to complete investigations i.e
shortest, longest and average time.   
 
REPLY: Information regarding complaint cases recorded and time taken to
finalise these complaint cases is already available on the IPCC website,
contained within their quarterly performance reports. 
[3]http://www.ipcc.gov.uk/sites/default/fil...
Statistics are shown on the Tables and figures section.
(2011/12 is the most recent document on the website)
 
14)Provided details in relation to why PC Langford was docked 13 days pay
over a similar incident which was not taken to court.
15) Provide details of why this police officers wasn't dealt with firmly
by WMPF PSD in relation to (14)
 
REPLY: This information is exempt by virtue of Section 40 (2) Personal
information. Please see the response to question 2 above
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is as
accurate as possible
Your attention is drawn to the below which details your right of
complaint.
Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please write
or telephone the Information Compliance Unit quoting the reference number
above.
Yours sincerely
Mrs R Williams
Information Compliance Unit
Business Assurance and Improvement
West Mercia Police
PO Box 55
Hindlip
Worcester
WR3 8SP
01905 331545 / 331565
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 2 months of the date of its response to your Freedom of Information
request. Complaints should be made in writing and addressed to:
West Mercia Police Headquarters
Information Compliance Unit
Hindlip Hall
Hindlip
PO Box 55
Worcester
WR3 8SP
In all possible circumstances, WMP will aim to respond to your complaint
within 2 months.
The Information Commissioner
After lodging a complaint with WMP 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 [4]www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk
Alternatively, phone or write to:
Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Phone: 01625 545700
 
 
 
 
 

References

Visible links
1. http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa...
2. https://www.google.com/url?url=https://w...
3. http://www.ipcc.gov.uk/sites/default/fil...
4. file:///tmp/www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk

 
Dear Mr Chambers
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: RFI 5386
I write in connection with your request for information which was received
on 30th June 2014. Please find below the response to your request:
Statement Released After Former Police Officer Jailed for Misconduct
16) Link to report :
[1]http://www.westmercia.police.uk/news/new...
a) Why is there no mention on West Mercia Police Force website that PC Ian
Langford's conviction and misconduct case in public offence was due to
offences being of a sexual nature (a sexual offence).
b) This article also makes no reference to previous case of a similar
nature again of a sexual nature.
REPLY: No specific recorded information held.
In addition, West Mercia Police would like to point out that the Freedom
of Information Act is a piece of legislation which quite rightly opens up
public authorities to greater scrutiny and accountability.
Under the provision of the Act an authority must process a request in
writing from a named applicant under the terms and conditions of the
legislation. However, whilst giving maximum support to individuals
genuinely seeking to exercise the right to know, the Commissioner's
general approach will be sympathetic towards authorities where requests
can be characterised as being Vexatious, Repeated or part of a campaign.
Please be advised that when a person/persons make a number of requests for
information that are similar, about the same case or repeated,
consideration will be given to ascertain if there is evidence of a pattern
of behaviour which could be seen to be obsessive or unreasonable. If this
is found to be the case, The Authority would consider applying Section 14
(1) of the Act - by making future requests on the same topic vexatious.
Please be advised that Section 14 (1) of the Freedom of Information
legislation states that an authority is not obliged to comply with a
request for information if the request is deemed vexatious.
You have submitted two separate e-mails on 5th June 2014 containing 5 and
8 questions, respectively, regarding the case of PC Langford and matters
associated with it. This was subsequently followed by a further 2
questions on 11th June and the request above on 30th June.   Therefore
with regard to this request we are including a warning under Section
14(1)(Vexatious Request) of the Freedom of Information Act that any future
requests may attract this exemption.
Your attention is drawn to the below which details your right of
complaint.
Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please write
or telephone the Information Compliance Unit quoting the reference number
above.
Yours sincerely
Mrs R Williams
Information Compliance Unit
Business Assurance and Improvement
West Mercia Police
PO Box 55
Hindlip
Worcester
WR3 8SP
01905 331545 / 331565
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 2 months of the date of its response to your Freedom of Information
request. Complaints should be made in writing and addressed to:
West Mercia Police Headquarters
Information Compliance Unit
Hindlip Hall
Hindlip
PO Box 55
Worcester
WR3 8SP
In all possible circumstances, WMP will aim to respond to your complaint
within 2 months.
The Information Commissioner
After lodging a complaint with WMP 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 [2]www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk
Alternatively, phone or write to:
Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Phone: 01625 545700
 
 
 

References

Visible links
1. http://www.westmercia.police.uk/news/new...
2. file:///tmp/www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk

 
Dear Mr Chambers
 
Freedom of Information Request. Internal Review Request
 
It is unclear from the below e-mail which part/s of the FOI response/s
that you would like us to review. Please advise what question number your
appeal request relates to.
 
Thankyou
 
Mrs R Williams
 
Information Compliance Unit
West Mercia Police
 

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