Freedom of Information Officer

Warwickshire Police; Warwick; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working options

Compressed hours

Job summary

Warwickshire Police is seeking a dedicated Information Compliance Officer to join the Corporate Communications Department in Rugby on a permanent, full-time basis. You will manage FOI casework, provide staff guidance, and ensure timely disclosure in line with legislation.

The role requires maintaining records, monitoring FOI risk, and delivering training materials while upholding data protection standards and health and safety policies.

Qualifications

• A level 3 or equivalent qualification.
• Evidence of completion of relevant information compliance courses or modules, e.g. Data Protection or Freedom of Information.
• An understanding and good working knowledge of Data Protection and FOI legislation.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate Information Compliance within Corporate Communications via FOI case management.
• Provide advice and guidance on FOI matters as policy support officer and decision maker.
• Process information access applications and maintain computerised records including email management.
• Research, retrieve and prepare information for disclosure within statutory deadlines.
• Monitor FOI risk and report to FOI Supervisor and Senior Corporate Communications Manager.
• Report information incident processes arising from FOI duties including data protection and FOI regimes.
• Review FOI training and awareness products and standards for officers and staff.
• Maintain knowledge of current FOI legislation and best practices.
• Undertake other duties commensurate with the role.
• Comply with Health and Safety regulations.

Skills

Deadline management

Policy guidance

Written communication

IT skills

Initiative & flexibility

Education

A level 3 or equivalent

FOI/Data Protection courses

Tools

Databases

Spreadsheet software

Computerised resource planning systems

Job description

Salary Grade E (£33,603 - £39,276)

The closing date for this role is 12 noon on Friday 2nd October 2026

improvement approach.

• To support the co-ordination of effective Information Compliance (IC) within Corporate Communications Department via case management of all FOI requests.
• To provide advice and guidance to members of staff and other stakeholders on FOI matters as a policy support officer and decision maker responsible for the management of cases within Corporate Communications.
• To process all information access applications on receipt within defined guidelines and to maintain computerised records for all applications received including the management and monitoring of email.
• To research, retrieve and assist with preparing information for disclosure and to ensure any response is legal, appropriate and made within the statutory deadlines imposed by the legislation.
• To ensure Corporate Communications successfully monitors the risk associated with FOI through environmental scanning and reports to both the FOI Supervisor and the Senior Corporate Communications Manager as required.
• Responsible for reporting information incident reporting processes arising from FOI legal duties including data protection and FOI regimes.
• Responsible for reviewing FOI training and awareness products and standards. This includes reviewing standards and services for police officers and police staff to increase knowledge and awareness of FOI.
• Maintain awareness and knowledge of all current FOI legislation, methods and practices ensuring that an environment of continuous improvement, innovation and emerging best practice are evaluated.
• To undertake other duties commensurate with the nature, level of responsibility and grading of this post, as required.
• All members of the workforce are to comply with all Health and Safety regulations in accordance with the Warwickshire Police Health and Safety Policy.

Location: Rugby

Permanent Contract

Full Time

Salary Grade E (£33,603 - £39,276)

The closing date for this role is 12 noon on Friday 2nd October 2026

The main purpose of this role is to undertake case management decision making and review for Freedom of Information (FOI) requests for Warwickshire Police employing a continuous improvement approach.

Main Responsibilities

• To support the co-ordination of effective Information Compliance (IC) within Corporate Communications Department via case management of all FOI requests.
• To provide advice and guidance to members of staff and other stakeholders on FOI matters as a policy support officer and decision maker responsible for the management of cases within Corporate Communications.
• To process all information access applications on receipt within defined guidelines and to maintain computerised records for all applications received including the management and monitoring of email.
• To research, retrieve and assist with preparing information for disclosure and to ensure any response is legal, appropriate and made within the statutory deadlines imposed by the legislation.
• To ensure Corporate Communications successfully monitors the risk associated with FOI through environmental scanning and reports to both the FOI Supervisor and the Senior Corporate Communications Manager as required.
• Responsible for reporting information incident reporting processes arising from FOI legal duties including data protection and FOI regimes.
• Responsible for reviewing FOI training and awareness products and standards. This includes reviewing standards and services for police officers and police staff to increase knowledge and awareness of FOI.
• Maintain awareness and knowledge of all current FOI legislation, methods and practices ensuring that an environment of continuous improvement, innovation and emerging best practice are evaluated.
• To undertake other duties commensurate with the nature, level of responsibility and grading of this post, as required.
• All members of the workforce are to comply with all Health and Safety regulations in accordance with the Warwickshire Police Health and Safety Policy.

Knowledge

• A level 3 or equivalent qualification
• Evidence of completion of relevant information compliance courses or modules, e.g. Data Protection or Freedom of Information; short course modules.
• An understanding and good working knowledge of the key principles and requirements of Data Protection and Freedom of Information legislation.

Experience

• Experience of co-ordinating information compliance processes in a large organisation.
• Experience of gathering, risk assessing and analysing evidence in order to make recommendations concerning information access and disclosure.
• Experience of working in a confidential environment demonstrating a high level of personal integrity and discretion when dealing with confidential matters.
• Experience of working and engaging with a variety of staff.

Key Skills

• Ability to work to tight deadlines and changing priorities.
• Ability to quickly absorb information and understand new policies and processes.
• Excellent IT skills, including use of databases, spreadsheet applications and computerised resource planning systems.
• Proven written communication skills and report writing.
• Ability to be flexible using own initiative and working without direct supervision.

Special Conditions

• Exposure to disturbing and/or unpleasant images or tasks.
• Politically restricted post.
• We want our organisation to be as diverse as the community it serves. We welcome applicants from all sections of the community.
• You will be required as part of Warwickshire Police recruitment process to successfully complete vetting and credit checks.
• We support the "Happy to talk flexible working" campaign which aims to encourage uptake of flexible working for individuals, the flexible working options that may be considered for this role include;
• Compressed Hours.