As a general rule, the public will not be given access to material relating to PST's work. This means that the information that supports our casework is not for public disclosure, nor are the details of how we carry out our operational duties.
This is the situation with regard to most policing activity, both in Norway and abroad: both PST and other police units need rules and procedures that prevent sensitive information falling into the wrong hands.
Our duty of secrecy limits third party access to our material
When a third party asks the police for information, the duty of secrecy will often prevent us from providing information or comments.
The duty of secrecy has two aims. On the one hand, the future work of the police could be compromised if potential or real perpetrators acquire too much knowledge of the methods we use and about how much information is available to us.
On the other hand, entities and individuals who are affected by the information that is in the possession of the police may suffer harm if this information falls into the wrong hands.
PST handles significantly more classified information than the rest of the police. This means that when we must reject request for access to material because of the duty of secrecy, the duty of secrecy also tends to arise from the Security Act provisions concerning classified information.
Monitoring bodies require access to information in order to work effectively
A number of bodies also have a duty to review PST’s activities. In order to do this, they must have access to material used in our work. Monitoring bodies’ right to access material derives from their terms of reference, and they themselves decide which matters they will investigate within the respective areas of their terms of reference.
Disclosure to third parties
PST often receives queries that are in effect requests for the disclosure of information relating to our work. Lawyers apply for access in order to serve the interests of their clients. Journalists want to know whether incidents that are reported in the media are being dealt with by us, or what we know or think about various matters. Researchers and historians would like to read historical records from our archives in connection with research or book projects. School pupils and students ask for help in preparing project work or more substantial exercises.
PST is obliged to deal with written requests for disclosure on their merits only
Not everyone who asks PST for information is aware that his or her query is actually treated as a formal request for disclosure of information relating to our work. Best practice in public administration requires that such requests be treated formally, so that it is possible subsequently to establish how the matter was dealt with, the decision that was made, and the reasoning behind the decision. This means that every request for disclosure in PST matters must be made in writing.
Disclosure triggers the duty of secrecy
Anyone who is given access to PST’s classified material also assumes the duty to observe secrecy concerning the material in question. This applies to monitoring bodies, and for third parties who are granted access after having submitted a written request to do so.
Requests for disclosure can relate to the present or past
Queries concerning access to material in PST cases can be for a wide range of reasons. Some request information on ongoing matters, others would like access to historical records in our archives.
Those wishing to know what information PST has about them form a separate category. The Norwegian Parliament has laid down a separate access scheme for individuals who would like to know whether they appear on the files of The Norwegian Police Security Service covering the period 1945-1996. Such access requests are not dealt with by PST, but by an independent body called the Access Reviewing Committee.