Guidance for the code of practice for the Police National computer (PNC) and Law Enforcement Data Service (LEDS).
This guidance provides detail on how managers and users can support their chief officers in complying with the requirements of the Code of Practice. It should be read together with the Code. The guidance also explains the 10 principles for the professional and ethical use of PNC and LEDS which are set out in the Code.
The guidance and Code also set out how authorities monitor PNC and LEDS and the way they are governed, managed and used. For example, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) and the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
Aims of the Code and guidance
The College of Policing, working with the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and the Home Office, wants to strengthen public confidence in the use of data from PNC and LEDS by:
- drafting the Code to ensure that chief officers have a set of clear principles to help them ensure the ethical, fair, diligent and impartial use of individuals’ personal information by staff within their organisations
- creating this guidance in sufficient detail that users, managers, suppliers, auditors and trainers can determine the responsibilities that support those principles and understand whether they have been met
- maintaining the Code, guidance and relevant public guidance (including answers to frequently asked questions) in a single, publicly available location online
- reviewing and refreshing the Code, guidance and public guidance regularly to take new developments into account
- documenting and maintaining performance metrics to promote improvements
Who produced the Code and guidance
The College of Policing developed the Code of Practice with the Home Office. This guidance was developed by the College of Policing to support police forces and other organisations that access the systems comply with the Code.