Criticism of the Policy Authority for disclosing confidential information from a closed preliminary investigation. Also statements on the obligation on authorities and officials to assist the Parliamentary Ombudsman in an investigation

A person requested documents from the Police Authority that were from a closed preliminary investigation. Officials gave notice that only the decision to close the preliminary investigation would be disclosed. Despite this, the crime report was disclosed. The crime report contained confidential information which was thereby disclosed. The Parliamentary Ombudsman criticises the Police Authority for this.

The Parliamentary Ombudsman notes that his investigation has not been able to fully clarify what actions preceded the disclosure and states that this is unsatisfactory. In view of the shortcomings in the Police Authority’s investigation of the incident and having regard to other observations and experiences in his supervisory activities, the Parliamentary Ombudsman makes statements on the obligation on authorities and officials to assist the Parliamentary Ombudsman in an investigation.