TASER Trial Evaluation Report

The request was successful.

On Monday the 24th of November 2008 a Home Office press release accompanying the announcement to issue all front line response police in the UK with TASER weapons stated: "The ACPO trial evaluation report can be found on the ACPO website" (http://press.homeoffice.gov.uk/press-rel...).

As this report does not appear to be available on the ACPO website, could you please send me a copy of the TASER trial evaluation report in line with the commitment on the ACPO website to respond to: "requests by e-mail ... for single, clearly identified documents which do not contain sensitive material" (http://www.acpo.police.uk/about_pages/fr...).

I would like to suggest this document be made available on the ACPO website and linked to prominently.

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Richard Taylor

Cambridge

http://www.rtaylor.co.uk

Richard Taylor left an annotation ()

More information related to this request is available on my website: http://www.rtaylor.co.uk/all-uk-front-li...

Richard Taylor left an annotation ()

Sharon Pring, of the ACPO Firearms Secretariat writing in response to another request on Whatdotheyknow.com has stated:

"The ACPO Evaluation is available via Commander Robert Broadhurst, ACPO Lead Self Defence and Restraint, Metropolitan Police, New Scotland Yard, Broadway, London SW1."
(http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/ac...)

I have written to Mr Broadhurst requesting a copy of, or a link to, the document and suggesting it be made available online.

Richard Taylor left an annotation ()

Inspector Blackburn has told me the document I am seeking: "is not being released to the public at this time". His full email response is below:

FAO: Richard Taylor

The ACPO Taser Trial is not being released to the public at this time (I have no indication as to when or if it will).

The only information relaesed is that published by the Home Office.

I hope this helps.

Robert Blackburn
Inspector - Metropolitan Police
CO11 Public Order
New Scotland Yard
Tel: 020 7230 4203
Metphone: 64203
e-mail: [removed]@met.police.uk

Richard Taylor left an annotation ()

As following my request to ACPO I received a rejection apparantly from the Metropolitan Police I decided to ask the Metropolitan Police to review their decision not to release the ACPO TASER Trial Evaluation Report.

I have today been sent the following:

"I write in connection with your email dated 12 December 2008 requesting that the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) review its response dated 4 December 2008 to your request for information relating to:

Request ACPO trial evaluation report regarding use of TASERS.

The review will be conducted in accordance to the MPS's complaints procedure. The MPS endeavour to respond to your complaint by 12 February 2009. "

Richard Taylor left an annotation ()

Having not had a reply by the 12th of February, the date Metropolitan Police said they would endeavour to reply to me by, I have written them to note that they have not yet responded.

Richard Taylor left an annotation ()

I have been told that the internal review is not yet complete, but have been given an assurance it is in progress and the Met Police are liaising with ACPO about it :

"Further to your letter of 16 February 2009, I wish to apologise for the delay in responding to your complaint.

I have unfortunately been unable to meet the response time originally provided to you as I have been off work for the last week due to unforeseen illness. I can confirm I am currently liasing with ACPO in relation to your request and I hope to be able to provide you with a response very soon.

I hope to complete your review no later than 27 February 2009. Should there be any unexpected further delay, I will contact you and update you as soon as possible."

Richard Taylor left an annotation ()

I have received a further reply:

"Further to our letter of 19 February 2009, I have unfortunately been unable to meet the response time provided to you.

I continue to liaise with ACPO in regards to your request and I hope to complete your review no later than 13 March 2009. Should there be any further unforeseen delay, I will contact you and update you as soon as possible.

I do apologise for the delay, and thank you for your patience."

Richard Taylor left an annotation ()

The Metropolitan Police have rejected my request:

Dear Mr Taylor

Freedom of Information Request Reference No: 2008120004357

Further to our letter of 27 February 2009, I am now able to provide a response to your complaint dated 12 December 2008 concerning:

Original FOI case number 2008120004357

DECISION

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has completed its review and has decided to:

Set aside the original decision

REASON FOR DECISION

I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely apologise for the delay in responding to you, and thank you for your patience.

To complete this review, searches were conducted within the CO11 Public Order and Operational Support Unit.

On the 4th of December 2008, Inspector Robert Blackburn stated that the ACPO Taser Trial is not being released to the public at this time and that the only information available for disclosure is that published by the Home Office.

I apologise that this response did not comply with FOI legislation in terms of our duties under Section 1(1)(a)&(b).

I can confirm that the ACPO report you have requested is not held by the MPS. The document, created and held by ACPO, has only ever been in the possession of Commander Broadhurst purely in his capacity as the ACPO lead for Self Defence and Restraint. As such, the document in question has not been used for Metropolitan Police business.

In terms of the Act, the requested information is not held by the MPS.

COMPLAINT RIGHTS

If you are dissatisfied with this response please read the attached paper entitled Complaint Rights which explains how to contact the Information Commissioner with your complaint.

Should you have any further inquiries concerning this matter, please contact me on 020 7161 3604 or at the address at the top of this letter, quoting the reference number above.

Yours sincerely

Sarah Pallen Freedom of Information Policy, Research, Review 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

********************************************************************** It is the policy of the MPS that:

MPS personnel (or agents working on behalf of the MPS) must not use MPS systems to author, transmit or store documents such as electronic mail (e-mail) messages or attachments:

*  containing racist, homophobic, sexist, defamatory, offensive,   illegal or otherwise inappropriate material;

*  containing material requiring a protective marking higher than   RESTRICTED, (and not higher than NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED across   the internet) without the use of approved encryption;

*  containing personal data for use other than in accordance with   the notification(s) under the Data Protection Act, 1998 of the   system(s) from which the data originates.

*  This Email message has been scanned for viruses and contents.

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Richard Taylor left an annotation ()

I believe this request was cited in the House of Lords on the 22nd of June 2009 during the committee stage of the Policing and Crime Bill:

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/lords/?gid...

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer (Liberal Democrat) attempted to amend the act so that it would bring the Association of Chief Police Officers within the provision of the Freedom of Information Act. Lord West, the Labour Security and Counter-terrorism Minister argued against this saying:

"ACPO is an independent voluntary organisation. As the noble Baroness, Lady Hanham, mentioned, it is not a public authority. It is a registered private company limited by guarantee and it is directly accountable to its members, not to the public. It is therefore not open to FOI requests."

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Richard Taylor

Cambridge

http://www.rtaylor.co.uk

Sent request to The Association of Chief Police Officers of England, Wales and Northern Ireland again, using a new contact address.

Richard Taylor left an annotation ()

At the Home Affairs Select Committee on the 7th of December 2010. Assistant Chief Constable Simon Chesterman who was present in his capacity as Association of Chief Police Officers’ “lead” on police use of firearms, promised to consider the release of the document requested in this thread.

The relevant exchange is at 12:28 in the video of proceedings:

http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player...

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Richard Taylor
Cambridge
http://www.rtaylor.co.uk
http://www.taser.org.uk

Richard Taylor left an annotation ()

Following up the mention at the Home Affairs Select Committee ACPO wrote to me sending me a copy of the report.

They noted it has been published online, as an appendix to a report to a Leicestershire Police Authority meeting:

http://www.leics-pa.police.uk/files/libr...

The report to which it was appended is at:
http://www.leics-pa.police.uk/files/libr...