What is the purpose of the Freedom of
Information Act? >
What rights does the Act
create? >
When did the Act come into
force? >
Does the Act only apply to records
created after 1st January 2005? >
Will I be able to obtain personal
information about myself under the Act? >
Can I make a request for personal
information and more general information at the same
time? >
Who oversees our compliance with the Freedom
of Information Act? >
Who can make an application for
information under the Act? >
How quickly would a request be dealt
with? >
What is the purpose of the Freedom of Information Act
?
It gives the public greater access to information about the
workings of government and public bodies.
What new rights does the Act create?
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 gives two related
rights:
- The right to be told whether the information exists, and
- The right to receive the information (subject to
exemptions)
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When did the Act come into force?
The right to request information under the Act came
into effect on 1st January 2005.
Dorset Police started their 'Publication Scheme', which is
required by the Act, and publishes information such as our
policy documents, on 30th June 2003.
Does the Act only apply to records created after 1st
January 2005?
No, the Act is fully retrospective.
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Will I be able to obtain personal information about
myself under the Act?
Only in exceptional circumstances, requests for personal
information will be dealt with under the Data Protection Act.
Can I make a request for personal information and more
general information at the same time?
Yes, but the requests would have to be dealt with separately,
under the Data Protection Act and the Freedom of Information
Act.
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Who oversees our compliance with the Freedom of
Information Act?
The Information Commissioner is responsible for the regulation
of the Freedom of Information Act and the Data Protection Act.
Who can make an application for information under the
Act?
Anyone, an individual or a corporate body, they do not have to
be UK citizens or
residents. They only need to supply Dorset Police with sufficient
details to process the request and reply.
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How quickly would a request be dealt with?
A request will have to be dealt with within 20 working days,
unless Dorset Police believes that the information requested is
subject to exemptions and it has to consider the public interest in
disclosure, in which case it may take such time as is reasonable in
the circumstances. Information subject to a request under the Data
Protection Act will have to be dealt with in 40 days.