March 25, 2025
Request Number: FOI/13879
Category: Organisational Information & Performance - Branch/Departmental Performance
Subject: Officers in Derry District
Request and Answer:
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 does hold information to which your request relates. The decision has been taken not to supply the information you have requested and the reasons for this are set out in more detail below. We have also provided you with links to guidance issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office which we have followed in responding to your request.
Request
I would like to know the number of officers by rank in the Derry and Strabane policing district (including part time officers).
Answer
Section 17(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires the Police Service of Northern Ireland, 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 not otherwise apparent) why the exemption applies.
The exemption, as well as the factors the Department considered when deciding where the public interest lies, are listed below:
Section 31(1)(a)(b) – Law Enforcement
The prevention or detection of crime and the apprehension or prosecution of offenders.
The full text of exemptions can be found at www.legislation.gov.uk and further guidance on how they operate can be located on the Information Commissioners Office website www.ico.org.uk.
Exemption Explained
Section 31 is a prejudice based qualified exemption and there is a requirement to articulate the harm that would be caused in releasing the requested information, as well as considering the public interest to ensure that withholding the information is the appropriate response.
Harm for Section 31
The information refers to numbers of officers by rank in Derry and Strabane District and the release of this information is a sensitive area. Once information is disclosed by FOI there is no control or limits as to who or how the information is shared with other individuals, therefore a release under FOI is considered a release to the world in general, not just to the individual requesting the information.
Disclosing details of numbers of officers by rank in Derry and Strabane District could identify personnel and there would be a security issue if numbers were to be made public. Releasing these details into the public domain would allow criminals and anyone intent on disrupting police in their law enforcement role, both directly and indirectly impacting on the prevention and detection of crime. It is further confirmed by the current threat level in Northern Ireland which is currently substantial. PSNI is aware of the mosaic and precedent effects of releasing information which may be of use to terrorists. A clear link exists between knowledge available to criminals and the way they operate, with the resultant impact on PSNI potentially giving a tactical advantage to criminals.
Public Interest Test
Factors Favouring Release – Section 31
Release of this information could give the public better access to police departments and provide a clearer understanding of the organisational structure.
Factors Favouring Retention – Section 31
Disclosure of numbers of officers by rank in Derry and Strabane District could compromise the PSNI’s law enforcement abilities. Disclosing information could leave officers vulnerable to attack by those criminal elements seeking to subvert police, compromising law enforcement tactics and hindering the prevention and detection of crime and apprehension or prosecution of offenders, impacting on police resources. This could potentially lead to more crime being committed and individuals being placed at risk.
Decision
The release of information under FOI is a release into the public domain and not just to the individual requesting the information. Once information is disclosed by FOI, there is no control or limits as to how the information is shared with other individuals therefore a disclosure under FOI is considered a release to the world in general.
While there may be a public interest in releasing the information requested, the PSNI must ensure that its law enforcement capability is not adversely affected by the release of staffing levels. However, the PSNI will not release details that may hinder the detection or prevention of crime through the release of information which may be of assistance to criminals. Whilst the PSNI would always wish to be transparent and accountable, there is a very strong interest in protecting police officers and safeguarding police methodology.
As the current threat level in Northern Ireland remains at SUBSTANTIAL, it is vital that the disclosure of information held by PSNI does not endanger the safety of officers or impact on the effective delivery of operational law enforcement activity.
The release of numbers of officers by rank in Derry and Strabane District into the public domain has the potential to assist terrorists and those criminal elements seeking to carry out attacks against persons who are employed by PSNI. The lives and safety of police personnel and members of the public are of paramount importance and the PSNI will not divulge any information which could put any individual at risk. However, police need to make balanced judgements which justify why some information needs to remain exempt and unpublished. I have therefore determined that the release of this information into the public domain would not be in the public interest.