Police disappointed with Commissioner's decision to release information

Police disappointed with Commissioner's decision to release information

Northern Constabulary’s top officer is considering costly court action after being ordered to publish the names of colleagues who were working at Wick police station over three months in 1997 – around the time of a young man’s death.

Chief Constable Ian Latimer has repeatedly refused to release their names when they were requested under the Freedom of Information Act.

He claimed releasing the personal details of 29 officers could put them at risk. But yesterday Scottish Information Commissioner, Kevin Dunion, said the evidence presented to him by the police was not enough to conclude that the information “would, or would be likely to, endanger the safety of any officer”.

Last night a force spokeswoman said it was “disappointed” by the decision and refused to rule out appealing to the Court of Session, which could prove very costly to taxpayers.

Police may go to court in row over Wick man’s death: information commissioner orders naming of officers working at the time (Press and Journal, 18 June 2008)