Regulatory Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA)

The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act protects the Human Rights of suspects and others when it is necessary and proportionate to carry out a covert investigation.

It also protects investigators and the authority from inadvertently breaching Human Rights, by ensuring the evidence we gather is lawfully obtained and admissible in court.

RIPA can only be authorised by one of the following:

(Name tbc) (role) - Senior Responsible Officer

Patrick Melia, Chief Executive - Authorising Officer

Elaine Waugh, Assistant Director of Law, and Governance - Corporate Services - Authorising Officer

Paul Davies, Assistant Director of Business and Property Services - Corporate Services - Authorising Officer

Mark Jackson, Assistant Director of Infrastructure, Planning and Transportation, - Authorising Off

Jill Colbert - Chief Executive Director of Children's Services, - Authorising Officer

Local Authorities must obtain Magistrates approval before the RIPA authorisation becomes effective. This applies to authorisations for both Directed Surveillance and CHIS (Covert Human Intelligence Source)

Read the following guidance thoroughly before completing a RIPA request form

Acquisition and disclosure of communications

Covert surveillance and covert human intelligence sources codes of practice

Full Directed Surveillance & CHIS Authorisation Document

Directed Surveillance Authorisation

• Authorisation Directed Surveillance
• Record of Directed Surveillance & Equipment Deployment
• Review of Directed Surveillance Authorisation
• Renewal of Directed Surveillance Authorisation
• Cancellation of a Directed Surveillance authorisation

CHIS (Covert Human Intelligence Source)

• Application for authorisation of the conduct or use of a Covert Human Intelligence Source (CHIS)
• Review of a Covert Human Intelligence Source (CHIS) authorisation
• Application for renewal of a Covert Human Intelligence Source (CHIS) Authorisation
• Cancellation authorisation of the conduct or use of a Covert Human Intelligence Source (CHIS)

Investigation Documents

Intranet and social media investigation policy

Surveillance authorisation outside RIPA

Internet and social media procedures internal use only

Internet Research Form Oct 19

Judicial Approval Order Form

If you need more help

Please contact the Data Protection Office