Management accessing staff e-mails

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.23.032462

I note you seek access to the following information:

1. A list of legitimate reasons which management would be able to access staffs’ emails

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

The below is from the Information Code of Conduct & Use of MPS ICT Systems Policy User Brief

All Met and national policing systems, ICT devices, (which includes laptops, tablets, desktop computers, mobile phones or smartphones) are subject to enhanced Lawful Business Monitoring (LBM) and audit. It should be assumed that use of all systems will be monitored on a 24/7 basis. You should not expect privacy when using Met systems.

The below is from the Lawful Business Monitoring Policy

This policy is a key component of the MPS’s overall approach to protecting information and should be considered alongside more detailed information security documentation including relevant information management, security guidance and procedures.

This Policy applies to all persons who use MPS digital systems, including police officers, police staff, special constables, Volunteers, temporary and agency staff, and any other individuals with access. (MPS Personnel) This also includes members of the public who communicate with the MPS using corporate systems.

The aim of this policy is to outline the MPS’s actions in identifying potential criminality and/or misconduct using policing systems/devices/machines/software:

• Informing all MPS personnel or other users of MPS provided systems/devices/ machines/software that all activity can be monitored and recorded to the extent permitted by law.

• Ensuring all MPS personnel are aware of the legislation that allows this monitoring and recording to take place.

• Reminding all staff that the capability to monitor and record staff is to allow the ongoing protection of the public.

• Reassuring staff that, despite the legislative framework to allow monitoring and recording, all investigative work conducted by the Anti Corruption and Abuse Command (ACAC) will be scrutinised by appropriate consent levels being in place, with the ethics and proportionality of any intrusion being considered.

• Formalising the structure of requests by ACAC to monitor/record/review any information.