2012 Annual Report of the Interception of Communications Commissioner
discussed the fact that the MET CTC was in the process of reviewing their Section 15 safeguards
and we also had the opportunity to discuss the system that was in the process of being acquired
to manage the interception work.
6.5.8 Home Office
Security Service and law enforcement interception warrants must pass through the National
Security Unit (NSU) at the Home Office prior to reaching the Home Secretary. I have undertaken
inspection visits to the Home Office as an extra check on authorisations.
I undertook formal visits to the Home Office in April and October 2012. Lists of interception
warrants current, extant and expired were provided to my office in good time to select sample
warrants for these review visits. Staff also took the opportunity to discuss the planning and
preparation for the 2012 London Olympics.
I was impressed with the staff I met who are undertaking an important quality assurance role on
behalf of the Senior Official and the Home Secretary.
6.5.9 Scottish Police Forces, Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency
(SCDEA) and Scottish Government
My formal inspection visits took place in May and November 2012 and were hosted by the
Scottish Government. Prior to the inspection I selected a number of warrants from across the
Scottish forces to review.
I received presentations from the relevant police forces in relation to specific interception
warrants and, when necessary, was able to discuss the rationale behind the warrants with the
officers concerned.The inspection was hosted by the staff involved in managing the warrantry for
Scotland and preparing the interception warrants for signature by Scottish Ministers. The staff I
met were diligent and fully aware of their obligations in relation to the legislation. I was briefed
in relation to the work being undertaken to merge the Scottish police forces and SCDEA into
Police Scotland from 1st April 2013.
6.5.10 Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and Northern
Ireland Office (NIO)
My formal inspection visits of the PSNI took place in April and November 2012 and were hosted
by the NIO.The NIO manages all of the lawful intercept warrants signed by the Secretary of State
for Northern Ireland.
I selected a number of warrants to examine and was impressed with the quality of the warrants
and level of scrutiny applied by the NIO.
I was provided with a national security and political update from senior NIO and PSNI staff.
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