FOI 595-25 POPS trained officers

Request:

1. Please provide the total number of POPS trained police officers you have.

2. Please provide the number of POPS trained officers who have completed training at (i) level 1, (ii) level 2 and (iii) level 3.

3. Please provide the number of POPS trained officers from other forces you used in Operation Navette.

4. Please provide the total amount you spent accommodating POPS trained officers from other forces during Operation Navette.

Response:

Section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires that, when refusing to provide such information (because the information is exempt) is to provide you the applicant with a notice which:

(a) States that fact
(b) Specifies the exemption(s) in question and
(c) States (if that would not otherwise be apparent) why the exemption(s) applies.

The information is exempt from disclosure by virtue of the following exemption:

Section 31(1)(a)(b) – Law Enforcement

Section 31 is a qualified, prejudice-based exemption and as such, there is a requirement to conduct a harm and public interest test.

Evidence of Harm
A Freedom of Information Act request is not a private transaction. Both the request itself and any information disclosed, are considered suitable for open publication. This is because under the Act, any information disclosed is released into the wider public domain, effectively to the world, not just to an individual.

Whilst not questioning the motives of the applicant, providing any further information relating to specific resources would reveal our operational capability, which would be of intelligence value to criminals

To disclose the number of Police Officers who have Public Order training and at which level as well as the number of trained officers from other forces used, reveals operational capabilities and vulnerabilities from force to force and would adversely impact Northamptonshire Police’s law enforcement capabilities. In addition, it would compromise the safety of the public and the prevention and detection of crime and the apprehension or prosecution of offenders. The safety of the public is of paramount importance.

Factors favouring Disclosure
Disclosure of the numbers of Police Officers, those who have this specific level of training and whether trained officers from other forces were required would show whether Northamptonshire Police can effectively police protests and disorder. It would encourage public awareness and debate and would provide visibility for the public to see how resources are balanced, and funds are spent across Northamptonshire Police.

Factors favouring Non-Disclosure
Disclosure of this information would compromise the force’s future law enforcement tactics and adversely affect the safety of the public. This information could be used advantageously by criminals or those with intent to commit crime or cause disruption. Criminals’ intent on instigating violence, could use information about specific operational capability and levels of Public Order Officer training to determine which forces may and may not have greater vulnerability when it comes to policing protests and disorder.

Balancing Test
When considering whether disclosure is appropriate, I must weigh the strongest reason for disclosure against the strongest reasons for non-disclosure. In this case, whilst the factors favouring disclosure are important in that it would adhere to the basic principle of being open and transparent, I believe when weighed against the risk of disclosure undermining our ability to prevent and detect crime and hindering our ability to protect the public, then non-disclosure takes precedence. The police will not divulge any information that would place the safety of individuals at risk or undermine law enforcement. Whilst there is a public interest in the transparency of policing, and in this case providing assurance that the police service is appropriately prepared to police protests and disorder, there is a very strong public interest in safeguarding the tactical resource capability.

In accordance with the Act, this letter represents a Refusal Notice for this information and request.