The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act and the Protection of Freedoms Act govern the surveillance powers of local councils, limiting their use of covert surveillance and the use of CHIS informants.

Our experienced team of investigators and surveillance experts use case studies and years of experience to describe the checks and balances that Councils need to have in place to ensure that any use of covert techniques is lawful, necessary and proportionate.

About the Course

Our trainers will take you through the requirements involved in the authorisation process and subsequent oversight when using surveillance powers. They will outline the most appropriate procedures, training and best practice to implement to ensure that your Authority complies with the regulations when Local Authorities deploy surveillance, covert human intelligence sources or access communications data, as required by the RIPA Act and as amended by the Protection of Freedoms Act.

Our trainers are experienced police officers with years of experience in the application, use, authorisation, management, oversight and operational practice of all levels of surveillance activity.

This Course is Aimed at:

• Local Authority (LA) staff responsible for approving RIPA, CHIS and Communication data applications
• Senior Responsible Officers (SRO) responsible for the integrity of the processes on behalf of the LA to ensure compliance when using
• Directed Surveillance or CHIS.
• Reviewing Officers (RO) designated as responsible for ensuring an oversight to the RIPA policy.
• Monitoring Officers with responsibility to maintain a central record of all applicable authorisations (Central Register).
• Officers responsible for training staff involved in RIPA and CHIS applications.
• Chief Executives, Heads of Service, Directors and Heads of Depts who require an awareness of the requirements of RIPA and an
• understanding of how it might apply to the work of individual LA departments.

Covering a Range of Themes:

• The application of the Human Rights legislation, Data Protection Act and General Data Protection Regulation ( UK GDPR) on covert investigations
• Factors to consider when considering applications and the conditions necessary when authorisation operational activity.
• The standards of risk assessment to apply.
• The Judicial oversight process.
• The time limits that apply to approved applications.
• How to carry out internal quality assurance and audits.
• Standards to meet when using CCTV, photographic or video supporting evidence.
• The work and support available from the National Anti-Fraud Network (NAFN).
• The importance of Data Retention.
• Experience and learning from Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office (IPCO) and the Office for Communications Data Authorisations (OCDA) oversight, inspections and audits.