On occasions, the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) sends ‘guidance’ to every UK constabulary. Examples of such messages can be read here:
These circulars are not emailed but posted via the NPCC online platform – some form of intranet?
To whom they are sent may appear obvious – the Chief Constable. However, most have admin’ staff who handle day-to-day matters and could be expected to allocate the correspondence to the appropriate party.
Concerning the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and the ‘weeding’ circular (above), when asked about their action upon receipt of the NPCC circular, the MPS could find no reference to it.
The constabulary suggested the NPCC be contacted to determine to whom it was dispatched at the MPS and an email approach was made to the NPCC:
- “Could you also advise to whom, at the MPS your ‘all chief constables’ messages are sent to – ideally the name(s), email address(es)s & department(s)”
The NPCC considered such a request as falling to the Freedom of Information Act and subsequently responded ‘
- ‘Whilst all members of the NPCC, to include Chief Officers of the Metropolitan Police Service, have access to the online platform, and can therefore view the letter, unless they download the letter onto their server, it would not be held by them. The NPCC does not hold a record of the MPS Chief Officer team having downloaded the letter onto their server.’
- “The NPCC does not hold information captured by your request. All chief constable’ messages are not sent via email, therefore the NPCC do not hold the information you are seeking.“
The NPCC does not hold a list of the MPS names, emails and departments that are permitted access, and under FOI regulations there is no requirement to create information to answer a request.
The circulars are sent to ‘Chief Officers of the Metropolitan Police Service’, seemingly ‘the MPS Senior Management Team – who’s who | Metropolitan Police’.
- However, the NPCC do not hold a record of who has viewed the letter, therefore this (the above) sentence is not confirming that any individuals from the MPS have viewed it.
Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)
Surely the Met’ Police knew or could ascertain, to whom these circulars were sent, and who had access to them. Incredulous of the MPS response, a FoIA request was made of the constabulary for the information but they were unable (within the 18 hours the Act provides) to find an individual who is in receipt of the communication referred to. – read more here.
Guidance
‘Guidance’ appears to be interpreted differently by each constabulary; if it suits them they act upon the advice as though a directive, cast in stone. Conversely, it may be referred to as ‘only’ guidance i.e. there is no requirement to adhere to the cicular’s content.