Your right to information
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 allows you to access information held by government bodies, including Kent Police Authority. It defines:
- what information must be made available
- what may be withheld (exemptions)
- how public authorities must respond to requests for information.
Police Authorities and Freedom of Information
Public authorities must make information available through a publication scheme. This scheme makes sure that information is available without anyone having to ask for it. The publication scheme sets out.
- the classes (or types) of information available
- how the information will be published
- whether any charges apply
- types of information available.
We have also made available Police Authority senior staff salaries and Chief Officer salaries.
Information published under the Freedom Of Information Act appears on this website:
- what we are and what we do
- our finances - what we spend
- our priorities and how well we're doing
- how we make decisions
- our policies and procedures
- lists and registers of our members
- services we offer
We publish as much information as possible. However, exemptions under the Freedom of Information Act may prevent some information being released.
Charges
You can request a hard copy of the publication scheme free of charge.
However, when information is not easily available, your request may incur a charge. When this is the case, we will explain the charges and why they apply in advance.
The fees are regularly reviewed and updated.
For current information already released
You can view disclosed freedom of information requests by clicking here.
Making a request for information
If you can't find the information you are looking for you may wish to view the Kent Police website for their published information or consider whether the information you request would be held by Kent Police as opposed to the Kent Police Authority.
In order to make a Freedom of Information request to the Kent Police Authority.
Please apply in writing to:
Mark Gilmartin, Chief Executive, Kent Police Authority, First Floor, Gail House, Lower Stone Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 6NB or via email to kpaenquiries@kent.pnn.police.uk
Make sure you include the following details:
- your name and address
- the documents you would like information about or the subject you want to access information about (please give as much detail as possible)
- how you prefer the information to be sent, for example by post or by email
Hard copies of our publications
If you would like a hard copy of our Publication Scheme then please write to the Chief Executive of the Authority at the address above or send an email making it clear which publication you would like.
We do not charge for a single hard copy of a publication.
Response time
Your request will be processed and information sent in the post (or by email) within 20 working days.
Enforcement of the Freedom of Information Act
The Information Commissioner (an independent government official) is responsible for making sure that all public authorities comply with the Freedom of Information Act, including police authorities. The Information Commissioner's job is to help the public access official information and protect personal information held about you.
Visit the Information Commissioner's website for more information.
Personal information
You already have the right to request your personal information from organisations under the Data Protection Act 1998. The Freedom of Information Act extends your rights to include all types of non-personal information.