BNP

Please provide the following information under the Freedom of

Information Act 2000.

There are restrictions placed on those working in the Police Force

regarding membership of the British National Party. Does your force

have any restrictions on a member of your Police Force:-

a) donating to the British National Party?

b) subscribing to a British National Party publication?

c) purchasing goods from the British National Party?

d) signing a petition in favour of the British National Party?

e) signing a nomination form for a British National Party

candidate?

In accordance with section 1(1) (a) of the Act our response is provided below;

There is no information held by the Cheshire Constabulary in relation to your question.

Please note the following: It is only membership of the political paries, including the BNP, that is regulated. That this does not mean that a member of the service may not commit other discipline offences, such as discreditable conduct, dependant on the circumstances, by taking part in any of the above activities. This would be treated on a case by case basis and the circumstances fully investigated if it was brought to the attention of Cheshire Constabulary as being potentially inappropriate. But this is true of any such allegation being made and is not specific to the BNP, it is simply the standards of professional behaviour that all employees have to adhere to. Staff take up employment with the police service fully aware that there may be certain restrictions placed on their private lives, these are designed to bring about greater public confidence and are based on best practice drawn from ACAS and represents a culture of continuous learning and development.