September 19, 2025
Request Number: FOI/14120
Category: Firearms and Conducted Energy Devices (Taser) - Firearms Applications and Certificates
Subject: Personal Protection Weapon
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 1
How many Serving Police Staff Members currently hold a Firearms Certificate for a Personal Protection Weapon?
Request 2
Does PSNI only grant Personal Protection Weapons to Serving Police Staff Members if a Specific Threat is identified?
Request 3
How many Serving Police Staff Members hold a Personal Protection Weapon without a Specific Threat?
Request 4
How many Serving Police Staff Members have applied for a Personal Protection Weapon over the past 2 years? How does this differ to the two years previous?
Request 5
How many Serving Police Staff Members have had their Personal Protection Weapon application refused within the past 2 years? How does this differ to the two years previous?
Request 6
Does PSNI Firearms and Explosives Branch ever deviate from Service Instruction 0316 governing the issuing of Personal Protection Weapons (specifically the section relating to Serving Police Staff Members)? If so, please provide justification for this deviation.
Answers
PSNI can advise that all applications are assessed on a case by case basis in accordance with the appropriate legislation and guidance criteria including in the relevant Service Instruction.
Due to the nature of the information request, on this occasion PSNI have made the decision to withhold the information requested for the reasons as articulated below.
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, is listed below:
Section 38 (1)(b) – Health & Safety – Information is exempt information if its disclosure under this Act would, or would be likely to (b) endanger the safety of any individual.
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.
Section 38 is a qualified and prejudice-based exemption. This means that the legislators have determined that it is necessary to evidence the harm in release and to conduct a public interest test.
Harm
The PSNI remains under threat from terrorists and criminals. Therefore the release of any information that discloses any additional security measures provided to officers or staff who may be under threat as a consequence of their connection with the PSNI, has the very real potential to undermine the personal security of those in receipt of such measures. Disclosure of the requested information would allow those with criminal or terrorist intent to build a picture of security tactics and capabilities, enabling them to put counter-measures in place and consequently launch attacks on PSNI officers and staff.
The release of information pertaining to personal security measures which is provided and relied upon by officers and or staff who may be under threat would provide those intent on causing them death or serious injury with useful information which they could then use to circumvent these measures.
Public Interest Test
Factors Favouring Disclosure – Section 38
The information requested relates to security measures available to officers, staff and other individuals who are the subject of a threat due to their employment or past employment. PSNI agree that the release of this information would lead to a better informed public thus demonstrating transparency and accountability.
Factors Favouring Retention – Section 38
The release of information concerning these security measures, either on its own or together with other information already available or the subject of further requests, would be detrimental to these persons health and safety. If released this information would have the potential to lead to an increase risk of death or injury to those officers, staff and other individuals who unfortunately find themselves under threat. This could also extend to indiscriminate attacks at their family / friends. This information could place the life of individuals at risk of attack.
Decision
Once information is released under 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 and not just to the individual making the request.
PSNI’s officers / staff and other individuals who have been assessed to obtain additional security measures including the issue of personal protection weapons should not have information placed into the public which would be detrimental to either their and/ or their family/ friend’s health and safety into the public domain. The protection of life is of paramount importance and PSNI need to ensure that the health and safety of any individual is not compromised and this must take precedence over the accountability of public funds. Whilst the PSNI would always wish to be transparent and accountable, no release under FOI should be made where lives would be put at risk.
The release of this information concerning security measures would greatly assist those intent on causing death or serious injury to officers or staff. Historically such attacks have been carried out in public places therefore exposing members of the public to the risk of death or injury. To what extent information may aid criminals/terrorists is unknown, but it is clear that it would impact on a force’s ability to monitor criminal/terrorist activity. The PSNI is tasked with the prevention and detection of crime and protecting the public therefore no disclosures should be made that would impact on its ability to carry out this vital role.
It is acknowledged that where possible policing matters must be transparent and accountable, therefore any request for disclosure, no matter how generic, which would undermine any trust or confidence individuals have in us, PSNI need to make balanced judgements which justify why some information needs to remain exemptand unpublished.