The study comes as a result of the recent discussions on secret police files. The General Police Inspectorate held a press conference on Wednesday morning detailing the 13 recommendations concluded by the study. Minister for Internal Security Francois Bausch initially commissioned the study.
In total, 66 files were examined in detail based on how well they conform with data protection legislation. Key aspects forming part of the examination included how long personal data is held by the police as well as who exactly has access to the files.
The predominant conclusion of the study is that the police itself requires increased awareness on data protection aspects of the files. General inspector Monique Stirn highlighted that this applies not only to those who use the data bases, but those who build them as well. She explained that data protection awareness must be thorough, and taught in the police academy, in base police training, and to new recruits.
Already the IGP holds courses on human rights and ethics within the police. Stirn contemplated whether now it is the duty of the IGP to hold a course on data protection as well.
Alongside the police files, the study examined legislation, parliamentary questions, database registers, and the data commission reports.
