The Data Protection Act 1998 was brought into force on 1st March 2000 and works in two ways.

It gives individuals certain rights. It also says those who record and use personal information must be open about how the information is used and must follow the eight principles of 'good information handling'.
 
This statement sets out the principles we will apply when handling personal information.

The Constabulary collects and uses personal information so that it can carry out its legal and legitimate functions as defined by legislation, common law and best practice.

We use information to prevent and detect crime; to apprehend and prosecute offenders; to protect life and property; maintain law and order and give assistance to members of the public.

We may use your personal information to analyse our performance and effectiveness. It might be necessary to contact you and ask you to assist us in this analysis in order to gather information about the service we are providing to the public and to improve that service wherever we can.

Where possible and appropriate you will be informed of the reason why your personal information is being held. Personal information may be held without your knowledge or consent when this is necessary for purposes such as the prevention or detection of crime, the prosecution or apprehension of offenders, national security, and public safety.

All personal information is handled in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.

We will collect and use information only for policing and associated purposes and will not use or disclose information for any other purposes without your consent unless required to do so by law, or it is in the over-riding public interest to do so.

We may give information to agents or contractors so that they can provide the facilities we need. In such cases legally binding contracts covering the use and security of your information will be put in place.

We may share information with other agencies under partnership working arrangements. Where personal information is shared, personal details that can identify individuals will be removed where appropriate. We will share personal information only when it is lawful to do so and when your rights have been fully considered.

We take great care to ensure the information we hold is accurate, kept up to date and is destroyed when no longer required.

We use a variety of physical, technical and procedural measures to protect personal information from unauthorised or accidental disclosure, loss or corruption.

Our staff are trained in the appropriate procedures and policies for correct handling of personal information.

We will normally provide a copy of any information we hold about you on request. If you believe the information we hold is inaccurate or misleading it will be checked and corrected if appropriate.

If you are unhappy with the way in which we have handled your personal information you can contact the Constabulary's Information Compliance Section or Professional & Ethical Standards Department.

For more information on this issue see the frequently asked questions section or contact:

The Information Compliance Section
Suffolk Constabulary
Police Headquarters
Martlesham Heath
Ipswich Suffolk
IP5 3QS

Telephone: 01473 613927, 613530, 613919, 613632 or 613514.

Email: information@suffolk.pnn.police.uk