FOI 138-24 NPCC Strip Search

Enquiry Reference:  138-24                                                                                              

 

I write in connection with regards to your Freedom of Information request, firstly please accept my apology for the delay.  Below is your request and our response.

 

On 13th January 2024, it was widely reported that the NPCC has withdrawn its policy and guidance agreed previously at an NPCC meeting on 9/10 December 2021 dealing with the ability of officers to self-identify as the opposite sex and conduct searches that are 'same sex' only under the provisions of the Police & Criminal Evidence Act 1984. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/01/13/police-drop-guidance-allowing-strip-searches-trans-officers/

 

1. Whether this force has also withdrawn the NPCC policy above and on what date it did so.
2. a) We did not publish this, Policy. However, we did use some of the wording in our Stop Search Policy which is currently being updated.

 

2. In respect to searches exceeding the most basic search of outer clothing, commonly referred to as more thorough searches, strip searches or intimate searches, please advise whether this force permits any searching to be conducted by an officer of the opposite sex.

For clarity,” sex” here means biological / physical sex, regardless of how the officer identifies, whether by way of a Gender Recognition Certificate or via verbal self-identification.

1. a) We are guided by APP and PACE.

 

3. If this force is still permitting such opposite sex searching to continue, which officer has made that decision. Please also identify the rank of the officer.
4. a) No information held.

 

The Cleveland Police response to your request is unique and it should be noted that Police Forces do not use generic systems or identical procedures to capture and record data therefore responses from Cleveland Police should not be used as a comparison with any other force response you receive.

 

If you are not satisfied with this response or any actions taken in dealing with your request, you have the right to request an independent internal review of your case under our review procedure. The APP College of Policing guidance states that a request for internal review should be made within 20 working days of the date on this response or 40 working days if extenuating circumstances to account for the delay can be evidenced.

 

Yours sincerely

Information Rights Decision Maker