Information

I would like to request the following information:

1. Please confirm whether your police force has considered entering into a collaboration agreement pursuant to section 22A of the Police Act 1996 (as amended by the PRSRA) to establish a Forensic Capability Network (FCN).
2. Please confirm whether, as a result of such consideration, that such an agreement has been signed and if not please supply the reasons for not entering such an agreement.
3. If, such an agreement has been entered, please supply the date on which the agreement came into legal force.
4. Please confirm whether your police force has agreed that the Forensic Capability Network will prepare the next round of contracts for physical forensic services as part of their “next generation procurement” as detailed here on the FCN website https://www.fcn.police.uk/news/2021-11/seven-year-plan-next-generation-procurement-physical-forensics-goes-market , in other words, is your police force using this process or something else to procure such services?
5. If your police force is using something other than the Forensic Capabilty Network’s process described in (4), please provide information as to what that process is.

Answer

I am writing to advise you that, following a search of our paper and electronic records, I have established that some of the information you requested is held by the Office of the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

However, the Office of the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (OPFCC) and Northamptonshire Police are two separate legal entities. Information regarding operational policing matters is the responsibility of Northamptonshire Police, therefore the OPFCC does not hold any of the information you have requested. Northamptonshire Police’s Information Unit may hold some of the information you are seeking. If you have not already done so, then you may wish to write to Northamptonshire Police’s  Information Unit, Force Headquarters, Wootton Hall, Northampton, NN4 0JQ / freedomofinformation@northants.pnn.police.uk

1. Please confirm whether your police force has considered entering into a collaboration agreement pursuant to section 22A of the Police Act 1996 (as amended by the PRSRA) to establish a Forensic Capability Network (FCN).

Yes

2.           Please confirm whether, as a result of such consideration, that such an agreement has been signed and if not please supply the reasons for not entering such an agreement.

Yes

3.           If, such an agreement has been entered, please supply the date on which the agreement came into legal force.

Please find attached Decision Records in relation to the provision of forensic services

4.           Please confirm whether your police force has agreed that the Forensic Capability Network will prepare the next round of contracts for physical forensic services as part of their “next generation procurement” as detailed here on the FCN website https://www.fcn.police.uk/news/2021-11/seven-year-plan-next-generation-procurement-physical-forensics-goes-market , in other words, is your police force using this process or something else to procure such services? No information held
5. If your police force is using something other than the Forensic Capabilty Network’s process described in (4), please provide information as to what that process is. N/A

If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request, you have the right to ask for an internal review. Internal review requests should be submitted within two months of the date of receipt of the response to your original letter and should be addressed to: Paul Bullen, Monitoring Officer, Office of the Northamptonshire Police and Crime Commissioner, East House, Force Headquarters, Wootton Hall, Northampton, NN4 0JQ.

Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications. If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF.

DR 140- Forensic Service Provision

EXECUTIVE ORDER 0070 – Award of a contract for Forensic Services