September 23, 2025 | Organisational Information and Performance , Policies
Request Number: FOI/15582
Category: Organisational Information & Performance - Policies
Subject: PSNI Policies and Guidelines
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 some information to which your request relates. We do not however hold information in relation to request number 3 below. Furthermore, the decision has been taken not to supply the information you have requested in requests 1 and 2 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
All PSNI policy and guidelines in relation to Whistleblowing within PSNI by PSNI Officers and Support Staff to include all policy and guidelines regarding the protections the PSNI affords to PSNI Officers and Support Staff who undertake or wish to undertake such a course of action.
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 following exemption has been applied:
Section 21 - Information Reasonably Accessible by Other Means
PSNI policy in relation to ‘Whistleblowing’ is available publicly, within our Service Instruction page, at the following link:
https://www.psni.police.uk/about-us/our-policies-and-procedures/corporate-policy/service-instructions
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.
Request 2
All PSNI policy and guidelines for PSNI Officers and Support Staff in relation to keeping victims of crime apprised of the progress of the investigation into their case.
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 following exemption has been applied:
Section 21 - Information Reasonably Accessible by Other Means
PSNI policy in relation to ‘Supporting Victims & Witnesses’ is available publicly, within our Service Instruction page, at the following link:
https://www.psni.police.uk/about-us/our-policies-and-procedures/corporate-policy/service-instructions
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.
Request 3
All PSNI policy and guidelines for PSNI Officers investigating criminal complaints i.e an assault. Please provide all Policy and guidelines which, in particular, relates to time limits and expediency of such investigations with regard to interviewing witnesses.
Answer 3
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 request. Enquiries made in relation to your requests failed to locate any records or documents relevant to your request based on the information you have provided.
In relation to policies regarding investigative and interviewing time scales, there were no records found in relation to this as time frames depend on the individual circumstances of each case. Collecting the evidence takes time and the more complex the investigation, the longer interviews and investigations are likely to take.
Summary only offences may become statute barred, but this relates to prosecution and not interview or investigation.
Accordingly, we have determined that the Police Service of Northern Ireland does not hold the information to which you seek access.