Course Catalogue

Justice Studies

This module provides an overview of major covert techniques currently deployed by law enforcement agencies. The module will initially consider the governing legislation and procedures relating to the deployment of covert techniques within the United Kingdom and will critically assess the positions on the balance between privacy against safety and security. It will also explore the development of this legislation from common law and internal procedures to human rights compliant legislation. Students will assess the various covert methods for the capture of intelligence /and or evidence currently available and will examine these in the context of the relevant law, procedures and guidance that govern the use of covert techniques in both reactive and proactive investigations. The module will evaluate the published policy and legislation accompanying the use of covert techniques. It will explore the opportunities and risks of managing product generated from covert activities together with the authorisation processes and levels of governance, scrutiny and accountability. It will introduce the students to the competing tension between the rights to individual privacy and the states responsibility to provide its citizens with a safe and secure environment and where any interference with rights are kept to a level that is no more than necessary. It aims to enhance student's awareness of the breadth and scope of covert collection within criminal investigation both nationally and abroad. It will investigate and critically analyse the contribution covert technical collection makes to community safety. It encourages and enhances the student's critical thinking regarding the assessment, authority (legal and internal) and deployment of covert techniques. The module gives both a historical and contemporary overview of covert techniques use, reinforcing understanding through the exploration of specific case studies. The learning drawn from these case studies are vital to understanding the use of covert techniques by agencies authorised to utilise the powers. The module will examine the future of covert policing including the increasing use of such techniques by the unregulated private corporate sector and by nongovernment organisations. It will view and critically assess alternative collection methods including intelligence and evidence generated by artificial intelligence, biometrics and social media. The module will enable students to develop an advanced and critical knowledge of key methodological issues. The curriculum will allow students to generate a critical appreciation of the diverse range of uses of covert techniques including communications data, equipment interference, counter-surveillance techniques, surveillance almond with organisational leadership and structures associated with covert techniques.

Outline Syllabus:Historical and current legislative provision theoretical perspectives of Intelligence Policy formation in Government in relation to covert techniques. The use of contemporary technical innovation to support reactive and proactive investigation. Organisational structures that support covert policing deployments. Judicial rulings, states cases, public inquiry and covert techniques The relationship between ethics, intrusive covert techniques and Human Rights.

Additional Information:There are no professional body requirements at this stage, however developments associated with the College of Policing and other relevant government departments will be monitored and where appropriate, incorporated into module content.