Preparing the Information-sharing Protocol

The first step in ensuring that information sharing is robust and legitimate is the preparation of an information sharing protocol. Because the protocol is essentially an agreement between local partners, it should be prepared locally to reflect local circumstances. However, we recommend that you include the following sections:

• Signatories.
• Processes for disclosure and storage of different kinds of information (non-personal, depersonalised, personal, sensitive).
• Data sets covered, including the depersonalised datasets covered by the new duty to share, set out in Appendix J, and discussed in Assess: Getting the Information You Need.
• Names of designated liaison officers for the responsible authorities.
• Review dates for the protocol.

In preparing your information protocol, you may want to consult the Management of Police Information Code of Practice. This is what governs information sharing by the police with other agencies and can, therefore, facilitate the clarification of processes within the rest of the partnership.