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All police forces will conduct surveys of this type to test the level of service provided to 999 callers and persons reporting crimes. Differing mechanisms might be used. i.e. External or internal researchers and telephone or letter contact. The type of approach and contact will often depend on the type of report made or offence reported. Care is taken on this point with the researchers (internal) being trained and provided with guidance on whom to contact and how. Am not aware of who uses external researches or the mechanisms they have to deal with them. From a DP perspective this work is incorporated within the notified purposes as 'internal management' and is used to assist the organisation in ensuring it is correctly delivering the service it is supposed to deliver and identify methods of improving that service. The information gathered is produced in statistical form within the relevant force and sometimes in external reports as 'customer survey' data, although, where possible, any serious shortcomings in service are researched and resolved. Any perceived DP weaknesses in this approach would be gratefully received. Ian W ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paula Leon" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2001 10:01 AM Subject: Re: Police Research > It would seem to me to be a D.P issue ,in that: > > a) The letter was addressed to the "Occupier", which means anyone could have opened the letter, lets just imagine the person who caused the criminal damage lived in the same household and was not aware that the other person had gone to the police, this might of lead to a serious incident. Or maybe they just didn't want anyone to know you had gone to the police. > > b0 The fact that the letter stated, it had "been sent to a number of people "and was in connection with a certain type of crime "disorder and anti-social behavior" indicates that that person was targeted from a certain category. > > Asking for an optional name and address at the bottom of the letter, for further research still does not equate, as they must have targeted the person from their name and address in the first place!!!, no point asking for further consent, if they had not given initial consent!!! > > > > > > Paula Leon > -- > [mailto:[log in to unmask]] > > >>> Krissy Welsh <[log in to unmask]> 30/01/01 10:44:50 >>> > Just wondered if anyone would like to comment on the following scenario: > > Individual rings up local constabulary to report an incident concerned with > criminal damage. They provide their name, address and details of the incident and > are told to report any further incidents straight away (at which point a patrol car > will be sent out). > > Approximately 4 weeks after the incident, individual receives a research > questionnaire addressed to 'The Occupier' which states 'Our records show that you > recently contacted the police about an incident of disorder or anti social > behaviour. The purpose of this questionnaire is to obtain your views about the > quality of the service you received from an officer who visited you shortly after > you reported the incident. The questionnaire has been sent to a number of people > and is anonymous'. > > At the end of a questionnaire is a tick box that states 'if you would like to take > part in further research do not forget to leave your name, address and telephone > number'. > > I am sure that the purpose of this research is to improve the service that the > police provide and perhaps I am either highly cynical, highly suspicious or just > can't get away from the world of data protection but I would be interested to know > if anyone has any thoughts on this (that's the above scenario, not my state of > mind)! > > Thanks > > Krissy Welsh > > _____________________________________________________________________ > This message has been checked for all known viruses by UUNET delivered > through the MessageLabs Virus Control Centre. For further information visit > http://www.uk.uu.net/products/security/virus/ > > > _____________________________________________________________________ > This message has been checked for all known viruses by UUNET delivered > through the MessageLabs Virus Control Centre. For further information visit > http://www.uk.uu.net/products/security/virus/