Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.24.037744

I note you seek access to the following information:

1. Can I see a copy of the MPS RoPA please?
   Can I also please have:
2. Met Police template contract of employment, in particular what you are saying about data protection in the employment contract;
3. Met Police Staff Data Protection Policy;
4. Met Police Staff Policies relating to gross misconduct, disciplinary and dismissal.
5. MPS Drugs and Alcohol Policy - dating back at least 15 years if possible

If these policies have been changed, can I please see all of the old ones as well.

*Further information*

Sorry I forgot to ask about one of the other specific policies:

Most of my questions have actually been triggered by your use of Eurofins as you are sacking a lot of officers for drugs/alcohol.

I have seen an MPS Drugs and Alcohol Policy, but this is dated 2018 and it's non compliant.

Can you please also add the MPS Drugs and Alcohol Policy to the below list.

Perhaps you've got another one and I haven't seen it?

It would be great if you can send through the current policy and any old policies as well. Obviously it is a change in the employment conditions, so the policy that was there at the time of the officer joining may be different to the policies now. For example, I saw someone with 15 years of service being sacked. So I need to see the policies dating back at least 15 years if possible!

Decision

I have today decided to disclose some of the requested information. Some data has been withheld as it is exempt from disclosure and therefore this response serves as a Refusal Notice under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) by virtue of the following exemptions:

Section 21 – Information reasonably accessible by other means.

Reason for decision

The information requested has been identified as being accessible via other means as it is already published. Where information is already in the public domain we are not required to re-publish the data; instead public authorities are required to direct you to the information, which we have done in this instance. This action is in accordance with section 21 of the Freedom of Information Act.

S21 is applicable to Q4 and Q5 as the information is accessible via the links provided:

Q4 - Met Police Staff Policies relating to gross misconduct, disciplinary and dismissal.

NPCC - Police Staff Discipline - SOP.pdf

Q5 - MPS Drugs and Alcohol Policy (current).

The MPS Intranet site provides the following that still uses the 2018 version within the link below.
*** Last Updated 09/04/2024 ***
This policy was approved by the Professional Lead, and decisions in line with the policy undertaken by officers and staff are fully supported by the MPS.

MPS - Substance Misuse Testing Policy(including alcohol)

Disclosure

Q1. Can I see a copy of the MPS RoPA please?

The Met does not have a singular ROPA. The Met holds information in relation to its processing activities within our information asset register and our data protection impact assessment compendium.

To collate the details required for the purpose of this request would therefore engage a costs exemption.

The Met has engaged with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) to ensure these indices are compliant and maintained for inspection and audit purposes.

Please find below information pursuant to your request for Q2, Q3 and Q5 – (Historic SOPs Substance misuse 2005 and 2009).