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Undercover policing inquiry

by Mark Rowe

An official inquiry into undercover policing has been announced by Home Secretary Theresa May. It will also cover the Metropolitan Police’s Special Demonstration Squad (SDS).

The inquiry will consider the deployment of police officers as covert human intelligence sources by the SDS, the National Public Order Intelligence Unit and by other police forces in England and Wales. It will also review undercover policing practices and make recommendations about the way it’s done. Lord Justice Pitchford is to lead the inquiry, set up under the 2005 Inquiries Act, with the power to compel witnesses to give evidence. The terms of reference will be set in consultation with interested parties and are due to be published at the end of July.

Theresa May, pictured, said: “The work of Mark Ellison and Operation Herne has unearthed serious historical failings in undercover policing practices. As I said last year, I was profoundly shocked by Mark Ellison’s findings and committed to establishing a public inquiry to thoroughly investigate undercover policing and the operation of the SDS. While I initially said that Mark Ellison’s further work and criminal investigations needed to conclude before the inquiry commences, it has become apparent that these pieces of work were much larger than initially envisaged. In the interest of learning the lessons of past failures, I have decided to establish the inquiry now while ensuring existing work is not affected.

“Undercover policing is an essential tactic in the fight against crime but to improve the public’s confidence in undercover work we must ensure there is no repeat of these failings in the future.

Meanwhile, the Home Office has published Stephen Taylor’s independent review of the Home Office’s knowledge of SDS activities.

ACPO say

For the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) National Policing Lead for Serious and Organised Crime, Chief Constable Mick Creedon said: “Undercover policing is a vital police tactic has saved lives, protected victims and brought dangerous criminals to justice. We welcome the public inquiry into past undercover practices. It will help us with the work that is already underway to make sure that the unacceptable behaviour of some officers in the past never happens again. We have worked closely with the Home Office, Attorney General and Mark Ellison QC on this issue and we look forward to providing any assistance to Judge Justice Pitchford and the inquiry.

“Changes have already been made to the authorisation and management of these operations. New training and guidance for undercover officers guidance developed with the College of Policing reinforces the need for them to meet the highest ethical standards.

“The work of Operation Herne investigating alleged misconduct and criminality by the Metropolitan Police Service’s historical Special Demonstrations Squad will continue.”

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