Status of all recommendations

Police Scotland should enhance the training for senior investigating officers to include the management of proactive intelligence-led operations. This should include the use and conduct of undercover officers and the requirements under RIP(S)A,  codes of practice, disclosure, the management of intelligence and reference to the Authorised Professional Practice (APP) for undercover policing.

Police Scotland should introduce effective processes to ensure that the COM-UC in conjunction with the senior investigating officer is actively involved in the risk assessment of material collected by the undercover officer.

Police Scotland should introduce an independent audit regime for the management of productions held by the Special Operations Unit.

Police Scotland should introduce a register of all covert assets and technical equipment held by the Special Operations Unit. This should be subject of independent audit and review.

Police Scotland should introduce a process to undertake a results analysis that demonstrates the impact of the undercover policing deployment in achieving operational objectives.

Police Scotland should engage with the College of Policing and progress a self-assessment of the authorisation, governance and tactical management arrangements in place for undercover policing as part of a formal process of national accreditation.

Police Scotland should use the covert compliance group to take forward recommendations and those areas of improvement identified by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office (IPCO).

Police Scotland should identify a human resource professional to provide advice for officers and staff who operate in specialist covert policing roles and who are subject of psychological support and counselling. This should include undercover officers.