Can the Police disclose information about me?

The Police should not disclose the personal information they hold about you, unless there is another law which specifically allows them to, or where they can rely on an exception under principle 11 of the Privacy Act.

For example, if you’ve authorised someone to do a criminal record check on you, then the Police will be able to disclose this information. For example, the Police provide a service to employers to vet potential employees, current employees or volunteers who work directly with vulnerable groups of people, including children, older people and people with special needs. A ‘Police vet’ is a review of all the information held by the Police relating to an applicant.

The Police can also disclose information as necessary during the course of criminal investigations or to protect people’s safety.

If the Police have disclosed your information and you are unhappy about this, you should contact the Police(external link) in the first instance to raise your concerns and ask them to explain why they have disclosed your information.

If you’re not satisfied with the response, and believe the disclosure has caused you harm of some kind, then you can make a complaint to us.