SIC Statistics for Covert Surveillance – On 15 April 2014, Mr Hutcheon asked the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Scotland (Police Scotland) for statistical information on interception warrants and authorisations and notices for communications.
Police Scotland withheld some information, explaining that RIPA legislation prevented its disclosure. For the remaining requests, they submitted that the cost of compliance would exceed the andpound;600 cost limit (so they were not required to respond). Mr Hutcheon remained dissatisfied with the outcome and applied to the Commissioner for a decision.
The Commissioner investigated and found that Police Scotland were entitled to withhold the information about interception warrants under section 26(a) of FOISA.
However, she was not satisfied that the Police were entitled to refuse to comply with the requests about authorisations and notices on the basis of excessive cost. She also identified a failure in the time taken by Police Scotland to issue the review outcome
[2015] ScotIC 109 – 2015
Bailii
Scotland
Scotland, Information
Updated: 03 January 2022; Ref: scu.550879