Strip Search Policy & Trans Officer Policy 551/2024
FOI Reference: 551/2024
Request Q1
Is the Strip Search Policy under review because of the realisation that it might not meet the requirements of PACE 1989 and is not appropriate?
Request Q2
Is the Trans Officer Policy under review because of the realisation that it might be inappropriate with respect to the rights of women?
Request Q3
If current policies are felt to be inappropriate, why is this? Which group or groups of people gave the inappropriate advice?
Request Q4
If Dyfed Powys Police have received and acted on inappropriate advice, how does it propose to put safeguards in place, so that no such contested policies can be put in place in future, not just on this issue but on all so-called 'progressive' issues, many of which I would argue are 'regressive'?
I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, the details of which are as follows:
Response Q1
The Home Office has consulted on ways to strengthen the safeguards for children and vulnerable persons who are subject to searches involving the exposure of intimate parts without hindering the police’s ability to keep the public safe. This has involved potential amendments to parts of PACE 1984 Code A and C.
The consultation ran from 30th April 2024 to 10th June 2024.
Dyfed Powys will await the findings of the consultation and follow any recommendations that the Home Office deem appropriate.
Response Q2
The review is as a result of the NPCC making the decision to temporarily remove their guidance from the NPCC website in relation to Trans officers carrying out searches.
Response Q3
N/A – If this question is in relation to Trans Officers carrying out searches then this question needs to be posed to the NPCC.
Response Q4
The Home Office has consulted on ways to strengthen the safeguards for children and vulnerable persons who are subject to searches involving the exposure of intimate parts without hindering the police’s ability to keep the public safe. This has involved potential amendments to parts of PACE 1984 Code A and C.
The consultation ran from 30th April 2024 to 10th June 2024.
Dyfed Powys will await the findings of the consultation and follow any recommendations that the Home Office deem appropriate.
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 21/06/2024)