THE growing cost of answering freedom of information (FOI) requests could lead to Northern Constabulary funds being diverted from “operational policing”, it emerged last night.
The force received 2,061 requests for information in 2009, costing £160,722, with the number of inquiries and the expenditure involved in responding to them expected to increase this year.
In a report to the Northern Joint Police Board, which meets at Highland Council’s Inverness headquarters on Friday, Chief Constable Ian Latimer revealed the number of requests increased by 43% last year compared with 2008.
He said: “Assessing against previous years, the current trend indicates the rate of increase will continue, with no sign of levelling off.
“This is contrary to the forecast expectation based on experience in other countries, that by this stage following initial implementation, the demand would have reached its peak and a known cost could be forecast on an annual basis.
“There is concern that additional funding will be required to support this business area in 2009/10, diverting resources away from operational policing.”
John Finnie, a former policeman and Highland Council’s SNP group leader, said: “It would seem illogical if Northern Constabulary sought not to apply legislation which reassures the public.”
He said it was vital the force was seen as “open and transparent”, whatever the cost, and said that organisations such as the NHS were also faced with large bills to answer requests.
Lochaber councillor and member of the police board Brian Murphy said: “I fully support the Freedom of Information Act, but answering these requests is costing a considerable amount when we are all trying to make savings.”
Half of the 2,061 requests were made by the media, with requests from private individuals and politicians accounting for 579 and 166 respectively.