Formal warnings procedures and training

Summary

The requester asked for details on police policies, training, and database procedures regarding formal warnings issued to the public. The Isle of Man Constabulary responded by providing a Cautioning policy and referencing previous FOI requests, noting that deviations from the policy do not necessarily render actions unlawful.

Key Facts

• A Cautioning policy was attached to the response.
• The policy can be deviated from where appropriate without the action being unlawful.
• Information regarding formal warnings was previously disclosed in four other FOI requests.
• The response did not explicitly detail specific training methods or database names in the text provided.
• The request was closed on 13 November 2024.

Data Disclosed

• 4203909
• 2024-10-18
• 2024-11-13
• 4041553
• 4035650
• 4012854
• 3966673
• IM2 4RG

Original Request

1. Is there a police policy on how formal warnings should be issued to members of the public? 2. Do police receive training on how to issue formal warnings to members of the public? 3. If yes, in what form is this training given? 4. Is there a specific training method and documentation for police to follow when issuing formal warnings? 5. If so please provide all police policy's pertaining to and in relation to the police constables procedure when issuing formal warnings. 6. Do police have to follow a specific protocol and or procedure when issuing formal warnings to members of the public? 7. If so what is it; please provide the details in full including any policy and or procedure. 8. Do police have to follow a specific protocol and or procedure when logging formal warnings issued to members of the public? 9. Is there a data base where formal warnings are recorded? 10. If there is a database, what is it called and who has access to it? 11. What is the time frame in which a formal warning must be logged onto the database from when the warning is issued? 12. Can the police issue a formal warning without following specific steps outlined in the police policy and protocols procedure?

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Isle of Man Constabulary Freedom of Information Police Headquarters Dukes Avenue Douglas Isle of Man IM2 4RG

Our ref: 4203909 13 November 2024

Dear

We write further to your request, received 18 October 2024, which states:

"1. Is there a police policy on how formal warnings should be issued to members of the public?

1. Do police receive training on how to issue formal warnings to members of the public?

2. If yes, in what form is this training given?

3. Is there a specific training method and documentation for police to follow when issuing formal warnings?

4. If so please provide all police policy's pertaining to and in relation to the police constables procedure when issuing formal warnings.

5. Do police have to follow a specific protocol and or procedure when issuing formal warnings to members of the public?

6. If so what is it; please provide the details in full including any policy and or procedure.

7. Do police have to follow a specific protocol and or procedure when logging formal warnings issued to members of the public?

8. Is there a data base where formal warnings are recorded?

9. If there is a database, what is it called and who has access to it?

10. What is the time frame in which a formal warning must be logged onto the database from when the warning is issued?

11. Can the police issue a formal warning without following specific steps outlined in the police policy and protocols procedure?"

Our response to your request is as follows: I have detailed below the information that is being released to you.

Previous published FOI requests have been made which contain the information these are listed below and available to view on the Isle of Man Government FOI website:-

4041553 4035650 4012854 3966673

Attached is the Cautioning policy. The policy can be deviated from where appropriate. If something is done different to the policy, it doesn't mean it is unlawful.

Please quote the reference number 4203909 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely