FOI 175/25

REQUEST 

1. What is the force’s policy on naming police officers charged with criminal offences?
2. If no local or national policy exists, what is the force’s official position on naming officers in such cases?
3. Additionally, please provide copies of all press releases issued in 2024 concerning police officers charged with criminal offences.
4. Finally, please provide the number of police officers and special constables charged or summoned to court between 1st January 2024 and 31st December 2024.

RESPONSE

We consulted with our Press Office and our PSD (Professional Standards Department) who have provided the below response to your request.

Questions 1 & 2

South Wales Police follows the College of Policing APP on media which includes a section on naming individuals charged with a criminal offence.

As this is available in the public domain, we are therefore not obliged to provide this information as the following exemption applies:

Section 21 – Information Accessible by Other Means.

This is an absolute, class-based exemption which means that a public authority is not required to consider the public interest in disclosure.

Under Section 16, the duty to provide advice and assistance, please see the below link:

Media relations | College of Policing

Question 3

Former officer jailed for burglary and corruption | South Wales Police

Please note that in many cases, press releases relating to police officers being charged with criminal offences are issued at the point of conviction. Additionally, press releases about the outcome of misconduct hearings are not published until criminal proceedings are concluded, so not to interfere with the criminal justice process.

Question 4

13 Police Officers and no (nil) Special Constables were charged or summoned to court between 1st January 2024 and 31st December 2024.