Today’s Daily Mail is reporting that ACPO is to be subject to FoI requests for the first time. The article says:

‘The perks enjoyed by senior police chiefs are to be finally subject to public scrutiny, ministers will say today.

The Association of Chief Police Officers – which, controversially, is considered a private company – has so far escaped the reaches of the Freedom of Information Act.

This is despite a string of damaging claims that senior officers are enjoying lucrative perks such as access to luxury Westminster flats.

Now Justice Secretary Jack Straw has decided that ACPO must be subject to the same freedom of information laws as MPs and other public bodies. From October next year the public will be able to submit requests to see officers’ expenses claims, and obtain other financial details.

ACPO president Sir Hugh Orde has pledged to reform the organisation and make it more accountable. However the opening up of receipts and financial deals dating back to 1997 is likely to cause embarrassment.’

Related posts:

1. ‘There is no clear purpose for ACPO’
2. Public Purse McCarthyism
3. Police (ACPO) too close to Labour for the Conservatives
4. The storm clouds gather
5. Top Tory Talks Tough