Headquarters Programme Publication Strategy
3. The public interest test
The force recognises that events may change, and the balance of the public interest test may well favour earlier disclosure at some point in the future. There may also be other exemptions that apply to the information in question, depending on (a) the content of any request and (b) the time at which it is submitted. The below sets out our present view in relation to the public interest for and against disclosure.
| Public interest factors favouring disclosure | Public interest factors against disclosure |
|---|---|
| Kent Police is publicly funded, the force has a duty to be accountable with how those public funds are used. | Whilst Kent Police will ensure its officers and staff are consulted and kept informed of decisions that are being made in relation to the police estate and job roles, Kent Police has a duty to ensure the wellbeing of its officers and staff. The premature disclosure of certain information into the public domain, for example, that relating to workplaces and staffing prior to staff being fully consulted, would have a negative impact on staff morale and wellbeing. |
| Disclosures would promote openness and transparency. | The publication of information is being prepared at some expense to the force (in terms of time) and the spending of additional public funds (in terms of responding to individual FOI requests) would be wasteful. |
| Information can change over time, particularly where updates are frequent. Headquarters Programme is an ongoing strategic programme where both costs, staffing and other key information are likely to evolve as decisions are made. Repeated requests for information under the FOIA will undermine our strategy which is designed to ensure the public are informed with complete and accurate data. |