Freedom of Information
The PSNI is committed to being open, accountable and transparent regarding the services we provide for and to the public. We are continually working to develop a culture of greater openness and we are making more information on policing available than ever before.
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 is intended to create better public understanding of:
- How public authorities carry out their duties
- Why they make their decisions
- How they spend public money
Under the Act, public authorities are obliged to make information available through the implementation of two key tools: PSNI Publication Scheme and General Right of Access.
PSNI Publication Scheme
A publication scheme sets out the type of recorded information that a public authority should make routinely available. The information should be easy for the authority and any individual to find and use.
The PSNI have had a publication scheme in place since 2003, however it was updated on 1 January 2009 in compliance with the new publication scheme model produced by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) for police services in the United Kingdom. (The Information Commissioner's Office is a government body that ensures all public authorities comply with the Act). The new scheme provides information under seven class headings, each providing areas of information which we believe you will find interesting, and offers clarity in respect of our business.
A 'quick link' to the PSNI publication scheme together with the ICO’s model publication scheme guidance document can be accessed via publication scheme and ICO model publication scheme respectively.
All information on the publication scheme is free to access and use, however a small fee may be charged should you request any of the information in hardcopy. You will be informed if there are any charges prior to release of the information. You can access more information about our charges through the following link, charges. Also, please respect our copyright.
General Right of Access to Information under the Freedom of Information Act
If the information you seek is not available via our publication scheme or the PSNI website you can submit a Freedom of Information request to PSNI. Find out more about how to make an application through the following link, how to make a FOI request.
Subject Access Requests under The Data Protection Act
Please note that the Freedom of Information Act is essentially about non-personal information. If you are seeking information of a personal nature the request should be made under the Data Protection Act. It provides access to individual enquirers to information held on them, this is known as Subject Access. Further information, including an application form, is available on the Subject Access page.