Police Service of Northern Ireland

The complainant requested information about recruitment of former police officers to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (the PSNI). The PSNI provided some information in response but the complainant argued that the PSNI held further information. The Commissioner’s decision is that the PSNI has not dealt with the complainant’s two requests in accordance with the requirements of Part I of the FOIA. Specifically the Commissioner finds that the PSNI holds information which has not been provided to the complainant, and which has not been refused in reliance on any of the exemptions contained within the FOIA. The Commissioner requires the public authority to undertake a fresh search for the information requested by the complainant at parts 1 and 2 of request 1, and parts 1 and 5 of request 2. The PSNI should also ensure that all relevant departments and individuals are consulted to identify any relevant information. Having done so, the PSNI is required to comply with section 1(1) of the FOIA by providing the complainant with the requested information to the extent that it is held and is not exempt. In relation to any exempt information the public authority should issue a refusal notice that explains what information has been withheld, which exemption(s) apply and why.