In order for the police to combat crime, we are dependent on reliable information. PST needs reliable and relevant information in order to prepare threat assessments and other security advice as well as in order to prevent and investigate criminal activity. As is the case with the rest of the police service, PST collects information from a number of different sources.
We have been given special powers for collecting information. Please see the Information Collection menu option for further information.
Different sources of information
PST is able to collect a large quantity of information from open sources: research reports, scientific literature, the mass media, etc. Our case officers may need information from such publicly available sources in order to keep abreast of professional developments, and in order to progress a particular case.
In addition, we need information not intended for public disclosure, but which can be critical in preventing serious crime or in solving violations that have already taken place. This can, for example, be information from police databases, from domestic and foreign partner organisations, or from people who have observed suspicious incidents.
Protecting our sources
In many cases, the police must avoid public disclosure of sources of our information. A number of provisions, including rules concerning the duty of secrecy, enable us to protect our sources. Protecting our sources is important for two reasons. Firstly, the police must prevent the identity of people who give us sensitive information from being revealed. Secondly, it is important to prevent suspects from gaining access to information discovered by the police until the police’s work is finished.
Protecting information
As noted above, the police need to prevent the wrong parties from gaining access to the information we collect. Since PST handles a large amount of classified information, we must also take the provisions in the Security Act into account when considering which information we can disclose to third parties.
When we receive information that has been marked classified by others (for example foreign security services) the owner of the information decides whether we can disclose the information to third parties, and if so, to whom. Therefore, PST cannot be presumed to be able to disclose information we have received from others.
Handling information
It is important that all information that is collected is quality controlled. Quality control relates to assessing the credibility of the source, comparing different pieces of information, filling any gaps in the information and discarding irrelevant or incorrect information. This sorting process is extremely important, and is undertaken continually until a case is closed.
Part of the information we need is information concerning certain individuals. Our handling of such information is subject to the general rules of the Personal Data Act, which lay down clear terms for the collection, storage and destruction of personal data.
Chapter IV of the PST Code of Practice contains the rules that apply specifically to PST’s handling of information.