82
Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Annual Report 2019
Figure 4: Number of intrusive surveillance authorisations and number of directed
surveillance authorisations, 2017 to 2019
7,000
157
6,000
5,000
244
186
4,000
3,000
2,000
5,627
5,388
2018
2019
4,492
Intrusive Surveillance
Directed Surveillance
1,000
0
2017
Figure 5: Number of property interference authorisations and targeted equipment
interference, 2017 to 2019
2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
848
1,937
12.22
Property interference
1,846
999
500
0
Targeted equipment
interference
2017
2018
2019
Although standards do vary across law enforcement, we have found the quality and
consistency of personnel to be central to a strong compliance culture. Generally, those
forces with high standards of compliance with the legislation are those who have excellent
oversight by their Senior Responsible Officer (SRO). The SRO should take the strategic lead
in respect of all covert activity, have a good relationship with the CAB, utilise professional
applicants (where resources permit) and employ Operational Security Officers (OpSy)
who have the ability and experience to carry out proactive auditing of compliance and
structured reviews of covert operations. We continue to encourage forces to prioritise
this role, whilst acknowledging this is a staffing matter for chief officers. Within each LEA,
the CAB provides a process of oversight and, in most, a quality assurance function prior
to authorisation. As with previous years we found that a high staff turnover reduces the
quality of authorisations. This is also the case for frequent changes in the AO.