January 08, 2025 | Operational Policing, Investigations and Events , Police Dogs
Request Number: FOI-2024-04178
Category: Operational policing, Investigations and Events Police Dogs
Subject: K9 Search and Rescue Group
Request
My Welfare Group recently had a presentation by the K9 Search and Rescue group. The work they were doing was exemplary. I was astonished to see they have been refused listing to assist the PSNI. This is a voluntary organisation and it should be supported and surely the PSNI need all the help they can get.
Under the FOI legislation as a tax payer I would like to know:
Request 1
Why were they refused?
Request 2
Who made this decision?
Answer 1-2
Your request for information has now been considered. In respect of Section 1(1)(a) of the Act we can confirm that the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) does not hold information in relation to your requests. Enquiries made in relation to your request failed to locate any records or documents relevant to your request based on the information you have provided.
The PSNI are identified as practitioners within Northern Ireland Search and Rescue (NISAR) and therefore do not own the information being sought.
The co-ordination of land and inland water rescue is devolved to Northern Ireland, with search and rescue policy being the responsibility of the Department of Justice, while co-ordination of land and inland water search and rescue operations are the responsibility of the PSNI.
Please contact the Department of Justice directly with all queries in regards to search and rescue policy.
Accordingly, we have determined that the Police Service of Northern Ireland does not hold the information to which you seek access.