Chief Constable Northamptonshire Police

The complainant has requested, from the Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police (NP), information about complaints and staffing levels. NP refused the request, on the basis of section 12 of FOIA (‘exemption where cost of compliance exceeds appropriate limit’). The Commissioner’s decision is that NP was correct to refuse the request on the basis of section 12(1) of FOIA; and that NP complied with section 16 of FOIA (‘duty to provide advice and assistance’). However he also finds that NP breached sections 1(1)(a) (‘general right of access to information’) and 10(1) (‘time for compliance with request’) of FOIA, as it failed to confirm that information was held in writing within 20 working days; and that NP breached section 17(1) of FOIA (‘refusal of request’), as it failed to issue its refusal notice within 20 working days. The Commissioner doesn’t require any steps in response to this decision notice.