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How We Work

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The Inspectors assist the Chief Commissioner in overseeing surveillance operations carried out by the police and other public authorities.

Inspections take the form of interviews with senior management and operational staff at all levels, assessment of documentation relating to strategies, policies and procedures and detailed analysis of individual operations.

Assessment of corporate polices and procedures for covert surveillance

• Written strategies, policies and procedures
• Training policies and arrangements
• Monitoring arrangements
• Quality control and standards measurements and audits
• Performance measures
• Reviews of effectiveness of surveillance operations
• Methods of consideration of alternative options including, for example, the level of communication with neighbouring forces and other organisations.

Detailed inspections of individual operations

• Adherence to legislation in the application and authorisation process relating to directed surveillance, the use of covert human intelligence sources, property interference, intrusive surveillance as well as the use of encryption notices and keys.
• Safeguards
• Level of knowledge of individual officers
• Arrangements for the storage, review and destruction of material obtained by surveillance.

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