Unit Title
CI202
/Participate in covert investigations
Summary
This unit is about participating in covert investigations as a dedicated investigator. You must be able to establish investigation opportunities within defined operational parameters set by a Lead Officer (Lead Officer/Senior Investigating Officer).You must have an understanding of covert and overt investigations strategies and implement these at the direction of the Lead Officer (LO/SIO). You will be responsible for securing all available information, intelligence and evidence in conjunction with key partners and those providing specialist support.
You will need to identify and assess all available information and intelligence ensuring appropriate recording/dissemination and exploit the evidence gathering opportunities created.
You must be able to identify operational risk at an early stage and ensure the introduction of measures to mitigate the threat to the investigation.
You must ensure that the Lead Officer (LO/SIO)and other individuals with an identified interest in the investigation are briefed about the status of the investigation to maintain continuity and understanding.
There are two elements:
CI202.1 / Plan to fulfil your role and responsibilities in a covert investigationCI202.2
/Fulfil your role and responsibilities in a covert investigation
Target Group
This unit is intended for those officers who take part in covert investigations, requiring an awareness of the need for the delivery of investigation strategies, maintenance of investigation processes and possible presentation of the case at court. This unit is applicable to all types of covert investigation.This unit was developed by Skills for Justice.
Skills for Justice / Page 1National Occupational Standards for Policing & Law Enforcement / Final Version Approved May 2009
Element
CI202.1
/Plan to fulfil your role and responsibilities in a covert investigation
Performance Criteria
To meet the standard, you
1 / ensure you are fully briefed on the terms of reference and your role and responsibilities within the investigation, clarifying any aspects that may be unclear2 / gather and assess all readily available material relating to your role and responsibilities within the investigation
3 / liaise with any specialist advisors appointed to provide advice on the choice of investigation strategies and activities
4 / select and agreeinvestigative strategies and lines of enquirycapable of delivering your responsibilities in the investigation, taking into account all available material and the advice of specialist advisors
5 / undertake risk assessments ofinvestigative strategies and lines of enquiry for which you are responsible and take appropriate action to manageany threats to the operational security of the investigation
6 / assess the factors likely to impact on the investigation and take appropriate action to address these factors
7 / identify the need for any resources and take action to obtain these
8 / agree communication protocols with others directly involved in conducting the investigation, specialist advisors andpartners
9 / fully document all decisions, actions, options and underlying rationale in accordance with current policy and legislation, throughout the investigation
Range
1 / investigative strategiesa / forensic/scientific/technical
b / intelligence/information
c / surveillance
d / interview
e / research/analysis
f / witness/victim
g / disclosure
h / financial
i / operational security
2 / material
a / information
b / intelligence
c / evidence
d / unused material
e / non-relevant material
3 / terms of reference
a / fit with strategic objectives and priorities
b / objectives and outcomes
c / scope
d / timing
e / resources
f / responsibilities
g / constraints
4 / factors
a / vulnerability
b / language
c / culture
d / lifestyle
e / linked investigations
5 / resources
a / human
b / technological
c / props
6 / partners
a / internal
b / external
Element
CI202.2
/Fulfil your role and responsibilities in a covert investigation
Performance Criteria
To meet the standard, you
1 / conduct continuous risk assessments ofinvestigative strategies and lines of enquiry for which you are responsible and take appropriate action to manageany threats to the operational security of the investigation2 / implement agreed investigative strategies and follow agreed lines of enquiry
3 / ensure that all material obtained during the course of the investigation is recorded in a secure, durable and retrievable form in accordance with local operating procedures and policy
4 / co-ordinate the activity of individuals with specific operational responsibilities, where required
5 / liaise with others directly involved in conducting the investigation, specialist advisors and partners, in line with agreed communication protocols
6 / maintain an up-to-date and accurate assessment of the materialobtained during the course of the investigation and provide regular updates to the Lead Officer (LO/SIO).
7 / prepare relevant documentation in support of investigation activity
8 / assist the operational Lead Officer (LO/SIO) in the development and review of investigative strategies
9 / prepare documentation required for legal proceedings in accordance with current legislation and policy, where required
10 / deal with suspects, victims, witnesses and their families in an ethical manner recognising their needs with respect to race, diversity and human rights
Range
1 / investigative strategiesa / forensic/scientific/technical
b / intelligence/information
c / surveillance
d / interview
e / research/analysis
f / witness/victim
g / disclosure
h / financial
i / operational security
2 / material
a / information
b / intelligence
c / evidence
d / unused material
e / non-relevant material
3 / specific operational responsibilities
a / surveillance commander
b / disclosure officer
c / financial investigator
d / exhibits officer
4 / partners
a / internal
b / external
5 / relevant documentation
a / surveillance authorities
b / review documents
c / warrants
d / court orders
Unit
CI202
/Participate in covert investigations
Knowledge and Understanding
To meet the standard, you need to know and understand
Legal and organisational requirements
1 / current, relevant legislation, policies, procedures, codes of practice and guidelines relating to covert investigations2 / current, relevant legislation and organisational requirements in relation to race, diversity and human rights
3 / current, relevant legislation and organisational requirements in relation to health and safety
Operational risk management
4 / the importance of conducting operational risk assessments on a continuing basis, and how to carry them out5 / actions you can take to reduce risks to the security of the investigation to an acceptable level
Community impact assessments
6 / the importance of community impact assessments, and how to carry them out7 / measures you can take to effectively manage any issues arising from community impact assessments
Involvement in covert investigations
8 / how to obtain and provide necessary support and protection to actual and potential victims witnesses9 / the key personnel required in a covert investigation
10 / what specialist advice is available for investigations, who to contact and how they can contribute to the investigation
11 / how to obtain evidence, information and intelligence for an investigation
12 / the sources of relevant evidence, information and intelligence (including officers and how to access them)
13 / the process required to appropriately manage evidence, intelligence and information ensuring security, integrity and compliance with legislation
14 / how to review the available evidence, information and intelligence for the investigation
15 / the reasons for preserving evidence and how to minimise contamination and loss of potential evidence
16 / the types of evidence which may be present at the scene(s)
17 / the various forms of contamination of evidence (e.g. cross contamination, witness intimidation)
18 / how to be proactive in respect of contamination of evidence
19 / the reasons why the integrity and continuity of evidence must be maintained
20 / the various lines of enquiry which must be identified and developed
21 / how identified lines of enquiry should be pursued
22 / the additional support which may be available, both internally and externally, and how to obtain it
23 / the types of documentation which must be completed and how to complete it correctly
24 / how to compile current situation reports
Evidence Requirements
1Simulation is not allowed for any performance evidence within this unit.
2You must practically demonstrate in your work that you have met the standard for participating in covert investigations.
3Element CI202.1 Plan to fulfil your role and responsibilities in a covert investigation
From the range in element 1 you must show that you:
-have used seven types of investigative strategies*
-have worked with all types of material
-are fully briefed on all the terms of reference
-have assessed all types of factors
-have worked with all types of resources
-have worked with both types of partners
4Element CI202.2 Fulfil your role and responsibilities in a covert investigation
From the range in element 2 you must show that you:
-have used seven types of investigative strategies*
-have worked with all types of material
-have worked with both types of partners
-have prepared two types of relevant documentation
* Items from the range not covered by performance evidence should be supported by knowledge evidence.
Skills for Justice / Page 1National Occupational Standards for Policing & Law Enforcement / Final Version Approved May 2009