The Freedom of Information Act (FOI) 2000 received Royal Assent on 30 November 2000. It gives a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities, sets out exemptions from that right and places a number of obligations on public authorities. A 'public authority' is defined in the Act, and includes but is not restricted to central and local government, non-departmental public bodies, the police, the health service and schools, colleges and universities. Any person who makes a request to a public authority for information must be informed whether the public authority holds that information and, subject to exemptions, supplied with that information.

Classes of Information

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, our Publication Scheme must say what classes, or broad types, of information the police authority already publishes or intends to publish. We aim to publish as much information as possible about our work through the scheme, except where it would not be in the public interest to do so, for example, because it might prejudice law enforcement or the health and safety of our staff, or our ability to secure best value from local policing because information is commercially sensitive.

For each class we briefly define the information contained in that class, the format in which it is available and whether the class includes chargeable material.

The classes of information are:

• Who we are and what we do
• What we spend and how we spend it
• What our priorities are and how we are doing
• How we make decisions
• Our Policies and Procedures
• Lists and registers
• The services we offer

You can view our Publication Scheme here.

Sussex Police Authority Complaints Procedure

The Authority has a statutory duty to record and investigate complaints against named Sussex Police Chief Officers: Chief Constable, Deputy Chief Constable and Assistant Chief Constable.

Complaints against other police officers and police staff are dealt with via Sussex Police Professional Standards Department. If you wish to make a complaint about an officer or member of police staff please contact Sussex Police directly.

Making a complaint against a Police Authority Member or Member of Staff

If your complaint relates to a breach of the Code of Conduct by a Police Authority Member, it will be considered by the Sussex Police Authority Standards Committee.

If your complaint is against a member of staff at the Authority this will be considered by the Chief Executive and if the complaint relates to the Chief Executive this will be considered by the Chairman.

Please fill out our complaint form and return to the Authority in order for us to process your complaint.

You can download, print and post our complaint form to:

Sussex Police Authority, Sackville House, Brooks Close, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2FZ

Or you can email it to gina.marshall@sussexpa.gov.uk

Making a complaint against a Sussex Police Chief Officer

If the complaint relates to the personal conduct of a Chief Officer this will be dealt with by Sussex Police Authority. Chief Officers include: Chief Constables, Deputy Chief Constables or Assistant Chief Constables.

Please fill out our complaint form and return to the Authority in order for us to process your complaint.

You can download, print and post our complaint form to:

Sussex Police Authority, Sackville House, Brooks Close, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2FZ

Or you can email it to gina.marshall@sussexpa.gov.uk

Making a complaint against Sussex Police Officers or staff, procedural issues or general complaints

If the complaint regards procedural issues or is about a specific Sussex Police officer or member of staff then you will need to put your complaint in writing to Sussex Police directly.

Write to: Sussex Police Professional Standards Department,, Sussex Police Headquarters, Church Lane, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2DZ

Or email: contact.centre@sussex.pnn.police.uk