Same sex searches 138/24

FOI Reference: 138/2024

Request:

On 13th January 2024, it was widely reported that the NPCC has withdrawn its policy and guidance agreed previously at an NPCC meeting on 9/10 December 2021 dealing with the ability of officers to self-identify as the opposite sex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/

The NPCC stated at this time, that forces would revert to their own local policies.

I specifically seek to know;

1.⁠ ⁠Whether this force has also withdrawn the NPCC policy above and on what date it did so.

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.

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.

Responses 1 – 3:

I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, the details of which are as follows:

• Dyfed Powys police force adopted their own guidance and policy around this matter. Although we referred to the NPCC guidance we developed our own at the time in line with it.
• As per PACE we do not allow searching by opposite sex officers.
• As per point 2 above; we don't allow searching by officers of the opposite sex and that decision rests with Chief Officers.                                 

It should be noted that owing to the systems adopted by Dyfed-Powys Police in relation to the recording of such matters the information provided may or may not be accurate. It should be noted that for these reasons this Force’s response to your questions should not be used for comparison purposes with any other response you may receive.

(This is a response under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and disclosed on 18/03/24)