Staffordshire Police

The complainant requested information relating to the outsourcing by Staffordshire Police of their staff pensions provision to a private sector contractor. Having answered previous connected requests, the police refused these requests relying on the section 14(1) FOIA exemption on the grounds that they were likely to cause a disproportionate and unjustified level of disruption, irritation and distress. The Commissioner’s decision is that Staffordshire Police acted correctly in relying on the section 14(1) FOIA exemption. However she also found that the police had delayed their initial response to the request for far too long. The Commissioner does not require Staffordshire Police to take any steps to ensure compliance with the legislation.