Identity codes (ICs)

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.24.037308

I note you seek access to the following information:

1. What year were identity codes (ICs) rolled out for this police force?
   1b: What year were SDE (self-identified ethnicity) codes rolled out for this police force?
2. How does the police record an officer identified ethnicity?
   b: How does the police record a self-identified ethnicity?
   c: How does the police record ones nationality?
   d: How does the police record ones country of birth? Please separate these responses by VICTIM and SUSPECT
3. When did you add them (Q2a-d) as a field on police reports?
4. If you use a form for this, can you please provide a blank copy example?

Clarification -
In regards to your question 4 when you refer to blank forms, do you mean a blank form for a report filled in when a crime is reported or any form that would potentially make up a police report that would be filed that contain the information you have requested? I have liaised with several units as well as my own management and there are multiple ways the question could be interpreted.

I also stated the following:

However, I am pleased to inform you that the answers to Q1, Q1b, Q2 and Q2b are already in the public domain and can be found here (please note this will need to be copy and pasted into your web browser to work):

The code systems used within the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to formally record ethnicity - MPA briefing paper March 2007.html

On 7 June 2024 you replied with the following:

I believe I would want the latter in this case, that being "any form that would potentially make up a police report that would be filed”.

It's basically the form that I presume the Met would fill to record (inclusive of any other details) either, in this case of which can be disclosed, the victim's ethnicity or when an offender is taken into station, the form of which records their ethnicity (I am not sure how you do it so please forgive if this doesn't make much sense).

Feel free to email back if there is any more need for clarification.

Decision

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

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Q2c - How does the police record ones nationality?

They will be asked or they will record based on official documentation such as a passport, driving licence ect

Q2d - How does the police record ones country of birth? Please separate these responses by VICTIM and SUSPECT

People would be asked (or if there is official evidence such as a birth certificate use that). This would then be recorded on the Crime Report.

Q3 - When did you add them (Q2a-d) as a field on police reports?

The Metropolitan Police Service do not hold this information. However please see the link sent to you answering the previous questions as it is likely it was shortly after.

Q4 - If you use a form for this, can you please provide a blank copy example?

Please find below the screenshots for our Crime Reporting System and Custody System which is the main systems used where Self Defined Ethnicity, Officer Defined Ethnicity and Nationality are recorded for Victims and Suspects.