Status of all recommendations

Police Scotland should ensure that a dedicated and trained covert operations manager-undercover (COM-UC) who has day to day responsibility for the Special Operations Unit (SOU) is maintained.

Police Scotland should demonstrate a process to ensure that undercover officers comply with and uphold the principles and standards of professional behaviour set out in Police Scotland’s code of ethics.

Police Scotland should introduce an effective tasking and co-ordination process that supports the release of trained undercover officers from local police divisions and departments.

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.