** Reply to note from "Walshe, Pat" <[log in to unmask]> Fri, 10 Mar 2000 14:20:50 -0000
> Liz,
>
> I sent this to Edwina . you may be interested:
>
> The Police and other authorised agencies should make a request under the
> Section 29(3) of the DPA 1998. You are not obliged to disclose any data
> unless you have reasonable grounds for believing that any failure to do so
> would be likely to prejudice the purposes for which the data was requested
> (I.e. the prevention or detection of Crime or the Apprehension and
> Prosecution of offenders etc). The Commissioner has stated in her
> Introduction to the DPA 98 that "there would have to be a substantial chance
> rather than a mere risk that in a particular case the purposes would be
> noticeably damaged".
>
> What you need to obtain from the police are details of:
>
> 1: The crime being investigated
>
> 2: The reason for the enquiry (i.e. the appropriate DPA exemption purpose)
>
> 3: How the absence of any information would be likely to prejudice the
> enquiry
>
> Also, if you work for a local authority, you also need to be aware of
> Section 115 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 which allows the Police and
> local authorities to share information. See
> http://www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts1998/80037--s.htm#115
> <http://www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts1998/80037--s.htm#115>
>
> Much depends on the information being requested and whether they are asking
> for info on internet usage etc, email access ..... that's a different ball
> game
>
> I hope this helps.
Most often they ask for addresses esp. for staff or students who have left?
I have yet to meet any policemen who will say why they are looking for info.
Officialdom says they must appear to be very "police like", like on the tely
:-)
Although Universities are not under local authority control I am not sure to
what extent we could avoid disclosing addresses. I guess we may need more
proof if they ask for access to other information.
Any comments?
Charles
==============================================
Charles Christacopoulos, Secretary's Office, University of Dundee,
Dundee DD1 4HN, (Scotland) United Kingdom.
Tel: +44+(0)1382-344891. Fax: +44+(0)1382-201604.
http://somis.ais.dundee.ac.uk/
Scottish Search Maestro http://somis2.ais.dundee.ac.uk/
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