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FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: FOI-396-2024
I write in connection with your request for information which was received on 9th April 2024 as follows:
1) The total number (headcount) of firearms officers employed by the force as of:
2a) The number (headcount) of firearms officers who voluntarily surrendered their ticket/accreditation to carry firearms within the financial year 2022/23, but remained in service with the force
2b) For each instance, please list the month it was surrendered, the reason and whether the individual has since returned to holding a ticket/accreditation
3a) The number (headcount) of firearms officers who voluntarily surrendered their ticket/accreditation to carry firearms within the financial year 2023/24, but remained in service with the force
3b) For each instance, please list the month it was surrendered, the reason and whether the individual has since returned to holding a ticket/accreditation
NB These numbers should include all firearms officers, whether or not they are operationally deployable.
If one firearms officer happened to volunteer their ticket more than once in a financial year, please count this as one for questions 2a and 3a, but list the circumstances separately in questions 2b and 3b.
Please find the Warwickshire Police response set out below.
Q1 response:
Q2a, Q2b, Q3a & Q3b response: Section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires Warwickshire Police, when refusing to provide such information (because the information is exempt) to provide you, the applicant, with a notice which:
(a) States that fact,
(b) Specifies the exemption in question and
(c) States (if that would not otherwise be apparent) why the exemption applies.
The exemption applicable is:
Section 40(2) – Personal Information
Section 40 is an absolute class-based exemption, which does not require evidence of the harm disclosure would cause and does not require consideration of a public interest test. That being said, where Section 40(2) is engaged, in order to make the exemption absolute there needs to be evidence that a Data Protection Principle would be breached by disclosure.
This exemption is engaged where disclosure of information relates to personal data of a third party or could lead to the identification of an individual, either from that information alone or combined with any other information from within the Police Service or public domain. In this case, due to low numbers, providing the information for Q2a and Q3a is likely to provide information in relation to an individual. Further, providing information for Q2b and Q3b is likely to identify an individual and provide information in relation to those individuals. Such a disclosure would breach individuals’ rights under the Data Protection Act 2018, in particular Article 5(1) of the GDPR which states that personal data shall be processed lawfully, fairly and in a transparent manner in relation to the data subject.
Pursuant to Section 17(1) of the Act this letter acts as a refusal notice under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in relation to these elements of your request.
Information I am able to provide is that during the total period covering 2022/23 and 2023/24 there have been 4 individuals who have voluntarily surrendered their ticket/accreditation to carry firearms but remained in force. I can advise that none have returned to the role.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is as accurate as possible.
Your attention is drawn to the below which details your right of complaint.
Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please write or email the Freedom of Information Unit quoting the reference number above.
Yours sincerely
Freedom of Information Officer
Freedom of Information Unit
Warwickshire Police
PO Box 4
Leek Wootton
Warwickshire
CV35 7QB