Status of all recommendations

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.

Police Scotland should introduce a welfare-based policy for substance misuse testing of active undercover officers. This should provide additional guidance and support to undercover officers to self-disclose alcohol or drug related problems or issues.

Police Scotland should introduce a secure ICT solution for maintaining cover officers’ welfare and policy records.

Police Scotland should establish effective backroom support and office manager roles within the Special Operations Unit.

Police Scotland should introduce an integrated record management solution for the management and supervision of undercover policing.