Police say 'record rise' in FoI requests played part in delays
Devon and Cornwall Police are facing significant regulatory intervention due to a severe backlog in handling Freedom of Information requests. The Information Commissioner’s Office issued an enforcement notice after identifying that hundreds of requests went unanswered, with response rates consistently falling below statutory requirements. This failure to uphold the public’s right to information has prompted a mandatory action plan to clear overdue cases within a six-month deadline, highlighting the legal consequences of non-compliance for public authorities. The root of this crisis lies in a substantial surge in request volume that outpaced the force’s capacity. Annual increases have pushed the backlog to record levels, exacerbated by staffing challenges that prevented the team from managing the growing demand. Consequently, many requests remained pending far beyond the legal twenty-day limit, with some older cases lingering for over a year. This mismatch between rising public demand for transparency and institutional resources underscores the operational pressures modern policing agencies face in maintaining accountability. This case is critical to the open_data community as it demonstrates the tangible legal risks associated with failing to process transparency requests efficiently. It serves as a stark reminder that the Freedom of Information Act is not merely a guideline but a enforceable legal framework, where continued negligence can lead to contempt of court charges. For organizations managing public data, this incident emphasizes the urgent need to align internal resources with legislative obligations to ensure timely access to information and maintain public trust.
Source: plymouthherald.co.ukPublished on 2024-08-22