Martin Cunningham

Professionalism within private sector surveillance operations. We applaud the Association of British Investigators (ABI) recent guidance to all members regarding surveillance deployment alignment to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) and R v Turnbull guidelines. A huge percentage of deployments in the private sector today will not be compliant. Many will be completely unsupervised, lack any form of risk assessment or have tangible objectives beyond "follow them, see what they do". Some have no knowledge of the legal implications associated with their observations (an issue made worse by poor training in the protection industry), some deploy in the hope questions won't be asked or a belief it will never be them (and their client) facing a criminal investigation. Covert surveillance: includes covert monitoring and/or observing a persons movements, associations, conversations.... where there is a likelyhood of acquiring private information on any individual. Information Commissioners Office guidance regarding private/sensitive information. Any information relating to a person (race, gender, age etc). Section 2A Protection from Harassment Act 1997 prosecution points to prove, following a person, loitering in any place, interfering with the property of another, watching or spying on any person and monitoring their use electronic communications. Perhaps easy to see where those undertaking uncontrolled surveillance deployments can very quickly find themselves facing criminal allegations wholly undermining any legitimate or public interest. There are many myths surrounding RIPA. That adherence limits capability or operational effectiveness. That the administration processes required are too prescriptive. That compliance is expensive. We find none of this to be true. Anything less could be an expensive waste of time and leave both the surveillance provider and client legally vulnerable. For more information contact us at operations@specialistinvestigativesupport.co.uk

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IACA International Association of Crime Analysts is currently taking submissions for the Steve Gottlieb/Alpha Group Center Award for Creativity and Excellence. To find out more information please visit https://lnkd.in/ed_WV-dX Steve Gottlieb/Alpha Group Center Award for Creativity and Excellence The Steve Gottlieb/Alpha Group Center Award for Creativity and Excellence was designed to encourage and recognize an IACA member’s development and implementation of an original, creative and unique idea, plan or program that successfully curtailed or eliminated a crime problem or quality of life issue, enhanced the efficiency or effectiveness of a public safety organization or who, by some imaginative means, has made a significant, and preferably replicable, contribution to the field of crime/intelligence analysis. This is an individual award to be given to an IACA member of a public sector agency. It is not an organizational or group award. As such, any public sector, private sector or vendor IACA member may submit the name of any IACA member employed by a public sector agency as a candidate for this award. However, public sector organizations themselves, groups of individuals, and individuals employed by vendor and/or private sector agencies will be ineligible to receive the award. The Award The chosen recipient will be awarded a $2,000 check, made payable to the sole recipient, a physical award/plaque from the Alpha Group, and a certificate/letter from the IACA to the recipient.

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Firstly, it's essential to acknowledge that the roots of prison overcrowding extend beyond mere physical capacity constraints. While a lack of adequate space certainly exacerbates the problem, the underlying issues often lie in broader social, economic, and policy factors. One significant contributor to overcrowding is the increasing criminalisation of non-violent offences and the use of imprisonment as a default response to social problems. Mandatory sentencing laws, three-strikes policies, and the War on Drugs mentality have led to a ballooning prison population, overwhelming facilities designed for a much smaller number of inmates. Moreover, there's a notable disparity in the demographic composition of the incarcerated population, with marginalised communities, particularly people of colour and those from low-income backgrounds, disproportionately represented. This overrepresentation reflects systemic inequalities in access to justice, economic opportunities, and social support systems. Another factor exacerbating prison overcrowding is the inadequate provision of mental health and substance abuse treatment services. Many individuals enter the criminal justice system with untreated mental health conditions or substance abuse disorders, which often go unaddressed during incarceration. As a result, prisons become de facto mental health facilities, further straining resources and contributing to overcrowding. Furthermore, the lack of effective rehabilitation and reintegration programmes means that many individuals cycle in and out of the criminal justice system without addressing the underlying issues that led to their involvement in crime. This revolving door phenomenon not only perpetuates overcrowding but also fails to address the root causes of criminal behaviour. Addressing the prison overcrowding crisis requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond simply increasing capacity. It necessitates re-evaluating sentencing policies, investing in alternatives to incarceration for non-violent offenders, and prioritising diversion programmes for individuals with mental health and substance abuse issues. Additionally, there's a pressing need for greater investment in community-based support services, including affordable housing, education, healthcare and job training, to address the underlying social determinants of crime and reduce recidivism rates. Ultimately, addressing prison overcrowding is not just a matter of expanding physical capacity but of addressing systemic injustices and implementing evidence-based policies that prioritise rehabilitation, reintegration and social equity. Only through a holistic and proactive approach can we hope to alleviate the strain on our prisons and build a more just and equitable society. #MTICBIAI #MyTraumaIsChronicButIAmIconic #CriminalJusticeSystem #SocialJustice #RehabilitationProgrammes #RecidivismReduction #CommunitySupport #EquitableSociety #JusticeReform #AddressingInequality #PolicyEvaluation

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An important review of organised crime over the past 10 years. It raises serious concerns. None of the top 10 serious and organised crime threats to the UK today are brand new. Instead, they are contemporary manifestations of longstanding threats, many of which have shifted with advances in technology. Some have evolved incrementally; others have undergone such a transformation in scale and sophistication as to constitute something intrinsically novel. For example, the exponential rise in fraud – up over 1,400% in the last decade – constitutes a phenomenon not previously seen. All of this has led to an increase in the level of threat posed. Although historic changes in data recording have occurred, in 2013, the NCA estimated that 36,600 individuals were involved in serious and organised crime, whereas the figure is placed at 59,000 individuals today. And while numerous issues affect such calculations, the cost of serious and organised crime to the UK is assessed by the government to have grown from £24 billion per year in 2013 to at least £47 billion annually in 2023. https://lnkd.in/eg3ERg3u

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I currently have availability for one Green Dog and Novice Handler from early November 2024, to attend the NASDU EDD level 4 course. This could also be used as a route towards the NCTAS-P assessment should it be required. The course can be run over x 4 nine day modules and x 1 five day module as a minimum requirement, working the weekends. Back to back with one week breaks inbetween each module allowing for work and life commitments. Otherwise it can be spread out over a number months. However in principle it could be completed over November and December 2024. An assessment of the learner and dog prior to enrolment will be required. I am not the cheapest by any means, but please take into consideration this is one to one training. With course dates being agreed on a case by case basis providing a more flexible approach. NB: You would need a suitable dog to attend the course with, green / course ready. You and the dog would be trained as a team simultaneously. INFORMATION- Nasdu Level 4 Explosive Detection Dog Handlers Course Working with a novice handler and green dog. 41 days in total including Independent End Point Assessments and Nasdu fees @ £7,475.00. This equates to £175 x 41 per course day plus £150 x 2 per EPA day’s with Nasdu fee’s being complimentary. Due to the length of this particular course. It would be broken down into modules of 9 -14 days working the weekends back to back or spread out over a number of months. Dates would be agreed prior between the learner and Simon Mallin K9 Training and Consultancy. For further information including payment terms please email k9info@simonmallin.com

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I currently have availability for one Green Dog and Novice Handler from early November 2024, to attend the NASDU EDD level 4 course. This could also be used as a route towards the NCTAS-P assessment should it be required. The course can be run over x 4 nine day modules and x 1 five day module as a minimum requirement, working the weekends. Back to back with one week breaks inbetween each module allowing for work and life commitments. Otherwise it can be spread out over a number months. However in principle it could be completed over November and December 2024. I am not the cheapest by any means, but please take into consideration this is one to one training. With course dates being agreed on a case by case basis providing a more flexible approach and costs can be spread out. NB: You would need a suitable dog to attend the course with, green / course ready. You and the dog would be trained as a team simultaneously. An assessment of the learner and dog prior to enrolment will be required. INFORMATION- Nasdu Level 4 Explosive Detection Dog Handlers Course Working with a novice handler and green dog. 41 days in total including Independent End Point Assessments and Nasdu fees @ £7,475.00. This equates to £175 x 41 per course day plus £150 x 2 per EPA day’s with Nasdu fee’s being complimentary. Due to the length of this particular course. It would be broken down into modules of 9 -14 days working the weekends back to back or spread out over a number of months. Dates would be agreed prior between the learner and Simon Mallin K9 Training and Consultancy. For further information including payment terms please email k9info@simonmallin.com

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How much is a private investigation company in the UK? 💰 This might just surprise you... But they can vary depending on experience from £30 to £175 per hour per operative. Hiring one to give you ease in a situation or with an issue. That's why we competitively charge £55 - £75 per hour per investigator. Did you think it would cost £0000's? We wanted to share this so more people know it can be affordable for anyone or business. Have an issue? Speak to us! #privateinvestigator #privateinvestigators #surveillance #investigators

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You will be aware that the Government’s plans announced many years ago to regulate the investigation industry have not been implemented, resulting in a lack of confidence from public and regulators, and a proliferation of rogue operators. We are therefore pleased to announce today the launch of 'The Confederation of Professional Investigators UK' (COPI UK - www.copiuk.org.uk). The founding stakeholders being the Institute of Professional Investigators (IPI - www.ipi.org.uk), the World Association of Professional Investigators (WAPI - www.wapi.org) and the United Kingdom Private Investigators Network (UKPIN - www.ukpin.com). This body is an amalgamation of long-standing respected Core Stakeholder bodies and organisations within the Private Investigation industry, whose members are professionals of repute known for their compliant, ethical best business practices. The collective longevity of the Confederation’s Stakeholders is over 100 years, which means clients can relax in the knowledge that their confidential affairs will be in safe hands. We welcome and have offered invitations to all industry trade groups to join COPI UK whose collective voice is aimed at protecting the interests of UK Professional investigators and their clients, and acting as a conduit to Government and Regulators on important industry matters. In particular of course, to ensure that any future regulation is independent, appropriate, fair for all, safeguards individual investigators/clients, and is not monopolised by a single trade entity. This is a positive move to establish a collective voice from established Associations, already known for best business practices, following an agreed Code of Ethics protecting commercial Clients, the general public, and Investigators alike, and also limiting the activities of the rogue operators that have haunted this profession. Membership of the Confederation is open to all Industry trade groups and carries no membership fees or administration charges whatsoever. Reputable agencies and practitioners all adhere to a Code of Conduct and last year WAPI, IPI and UKPIN jointly signed a consolidated voluntary Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct across their Memberships, which will also be an entry requirement for COPI UK. Legislation will eventually come to this Profession, and as a united body of accredited Associations, we can ensure that our voice is heard. The autonomy of each of the Associations will be unaffected by their involvement in COPI UK and Individuals cannot become members of COPI UK, only representative bodies or organisations. We believe that this is the best opportunity in years to unify this profession and establish greater protection for clients and members alike, and be a positive move forward in the absence of Government regulation.

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Police/council contacts - a favour please, can you share along. ------------------------------------- Are you interested in taking part in NSPCC’s research about the multi-agency response to neglect? The NSPCC is recruiting professionals who work in children’s social care, the police, education and health to take part in research about the multi-agency response to neglect. We’re interested to speak to a range of frontline professionals within the safeguarding partnership about identifying and responding to neglect. We know that neglect is a severe and pervasive form of maltreatment with significant and long lasting consequences. It is the most frequent form of maltreatment listed on child protection plans, however many serious case reviews about neglect reference interventions being left until the neglect has become worse or chronic. Aim of the Project Drawing on insights from across the safeguarding partnership (police, education, health and children’s social care) to better understand the status of neglect resourcing and practices across the country. Our aims are: 1. To assess the different levels of confidence across professionals within the partnership to identify neglect, and their confidence in the service response to neglect once it’s been identified 2. To understand the barriers and enablers the partnership face in better tackling neglect, especially around joined up working What are the research questions & methods? We are planning to conduct a small number of semi-structured focus groups with multi-agency professionals to assess the levels of confidence in the current multi-agency response to neglect, and the areas professionals themselves see as the main barriers or enablers to better preventing and tackling neglect, especially in the context of rising poverty. The interviews will last between 1 hour and 1 hour 30, split roughly into the following sections: • Prioritisation, approach, and culture of neglect • Current practice • Multi-agency working • Practice Improvement What is the intended use of this research? We want to develop a clearer picture of the state of neglect across England, especially in the context of rising poverty rates, which we know can be a particular risk factor. Alongside additional quantitative research, this research may feature in a neglect ‘state of the nation’ type policy report, and/or it may be used to identify next steps for further more in depth research with individual agencies. We might use quotes from what you and others tell us – but these will not have names attached to them and your agency/location can be anonymous if this is a preference. If you would like to take part in this research, please contact eavan.mckay@NSPCC.org.uk. The interviews will be arranged for mid – late June and we will offer a variety of slots to work around your schedule. Thanks so much for your interest!

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#TrueCrime Ahead of my session for the Association of True Crime Producers on 15th July - here is your chance to share your thoughts anonymously - It’s so helpful to hear from you!! In the hundreds of responses I have already received to this survey you have shared- - the advice you would give someone considering work in True Crime -whether you would speak up if you were struggling -and whether you feel you know enough about protecting yourself and supporting someone else when they encounter something distressing. All of your responses inform my work and enable me to deliver tailored sessions that answer your questions. So please take 2 minutes and answer- https://lnkd.in/e3jQBuDf

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Crime Prevention & Perpetrator's Families - Having watched and read a huge amount of crime documentaries I've gained a lot of knowledge from experts on criminal behavior, psychological impacts on victims and their families, as well as analyses on criminal acts itself. An occurrence I've repeatedly come across though, however, is the rarity of light being shed on the impact on the perpetrator's families. In cases especially dealing with murderers, sexual offenders and so forth, it can be quite emotionally, physically and mentally draining on the perpetrator's families as well. I agree fully that emphasis must be placed on victim impact and helping them, however I do believe that a good step to crime prevention is to also consider the effects on the perpetrator's family. I've noticed that a lot of these families are severely stigmatized and if you consider the long-term effects, a large amount of offender's children resort to violence and crime themselves because they are led to believe it is 'expected' of them. Most cannot even develop a good self-esteem because of constant bullying and others putting them down due to being associated to a criminal. The offender's spouse, or parents may find it difficult to do anything without someone picking them out in the crowd. In other situations, the offender might have been an important member of the family, e.g., a financial provider, a spouse, a parent etc., and their crime and arrest directly impacts the family dynamic, causing even financial and mental strain on the other members. Introducing services specifically targeted to helping them counter the effects of public victimization, exclusion and stigma, could be quite beneficial. Countering these effects can lead to prevention of further crime and helping these people lead healthier lives.

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Royal United Services Institute published an analysis of the top 10 serious and organized crime threats to the UK in 2023. What is driving some of these significant changes? Dive into key takeaways from K2 Integrity's Joanne M. below 👇

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Plan - Prepare - Perform The National Counter Terrorism Office (NaCTSO) has launched ACT in a Box a free interactive product that enables businesses to rehearse and explore their risks and response to a terrorist incident. We highly recommend this to all businesses and organisations to ensure raised awareness and preparedness for these types of potential scenarios. 🌐Glenbarr #counterterrorism #safetyandsecurity #traininganddevelopment #riskassessments #crisismanagement #martynslaw

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Dr David Schudel commented in last week's post about being left alone with a dangerous suspect. Other readers commented much the same. I started to reply to Dr. Shudel, but opted to write this week’s message and expand the discussion. I write today as a latent print examiner (LPE) who prefers to fingerprint suspects and arrestees myself. A high percentage of comparisons on my last job were reported as “inconclusive” due to inadequate exemplars. Incomplete comparisons of crime scene fingerprint comparisons allow criminals to go unidentified and innocent people to remain on lists of suspects and be treated as such. Most jailers and even police officers take fingerprints that are substandard for many of the comparisons that are requested. Personally, I want to take #fingerprints from suspects myself after I have analyzed the latent prints in a case. In first analyzing the latent prints, I want to determine what area of friction ridge skin probably made the latent fingerprint and gauge the direction and pressure that was applied during the touch. Then when I fingerprint the suspect, I want to take #inkedprints of the most likely areas of friction ridge skin duplicating as closely as possible the direction and pressure I inferred from the mark. I may also take and use complete major case prints, even regular 10-prints. But frequently, latent prints contain friction ridge detail not normally captured on standard arrest prints. And unless major case prints are taken by somebody expert in the process, they can be useless for difficult comparisons Taking inked prints myself ensures three things: First, I have direct knowledge of the provenance of the prints, not just a name printed on a fingerprint card. Second, I take better prints using old fashioned black printer's ink and long-established methods than most jailers or police officers take using their #livescan machines. And third, I'm comparing "like to like," that is, the most likely areas of friction ridge skin impressions with the same pressure and directionality as the latent prints from the crime scene. Here's the point. Doing this puts me at the mercy of the suspect. I arrange for an officer to be present, especially for suspects who may be desperate. Because I stand directly in front of a person I’m fingerprinting and the handcuffs have been removed, it would be extraordinarily easy for them to get the jump on me, put me in a choke hold, hit me over the head with something, or even pull a hidden weapon. I start in those situations by making light of the subject. I tell the person I’m fingerprinting that he can get in the first blow while I’m fingerprinting him, but the officer behind him will get in the last blow and it won’t be pleasant. It is not uncommon for a suspect to resist being fingerprinted or try to smear his prints (easy for him to do with a jailer or officer who doesn’t realize the prints are slightly smudged and unusable) but I’ve never had one fight me. 

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#Information Calls from security forces across the country have become so regular to us for help, challenges faced by them are enormous, cross border #trafficking has become rampant and reporting of the crimes are so less, as they have to handle the border areas so they can’t intervene and lodge FIR against traffickers, which is mostly under the jurisdiction of local police and have to be investigated under IPC, most cases are registered under foreigners act 1946 making the individuals crossing the border as an accused further enforcing them with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than two years, but may extend to eight years and shall also be liable to fine which shall not be less than ten thousand rupees this completely negating the reality that they are actually victims of trafficking. It’s indeed a tragic affair as if we are speaking about defending human rights putting an individual behind bars is a gross violation of their rights, India has a lot of porous borders and a huge population ends up entering the territories of the country without a proper visa, how to regulate it ensuring nobody faces this trauma and ordeal of injustice. Focus on not just inter country but intra country diplomatic issues is a need of the hour and working closely with all kinds of law enforcement is crucial also villages adjacent to the villages of borders should be educated and made aware that not everyone is a criminal and proper compliance should be done. Not everything can be done by ministry or govt, common folks have to come ahead, human trafficking is an organised crime involving millions unless we start working from scratch no change can happen, it should be a bottom up approach. No individual should be behind bars for crossing a border unknowingly at the same no criminal can go scot free for crossing a border. Impact and Dialogue Foundation #crossborder #trafficking #humanrightsviolation #borderareas #sourceareas #criminalinvestigation #intervention #projectsuraksha #securityforces #research.

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Need to improve your investigative interviewing skills? We have a new online course on our Pathways eLearning Platform. Get a certificate and improve your investigation skills in under three hours. Learn more>>>https://lnkd.in/g5QaAbrG #incidentinvestigations #investigativeinterviews #safetyprofessionals #incidentinvestigators

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By their very nature intelligence agencies operate in secret and their modus operandi in how they hunt down terror suspects are closely guarded secrets, at the same time tax payers deserve value for money when it comes to the public institutions entrusted to protect them. The intelligence community is also being overworked, according to some insiders within the intelligence community, it takes 18 to 20 surveillance operators to track a terror suspect around the clock, the resources available are not limitless. The field of intelligence has never been scientific in nature, you don't plug in a formula and get an exact result, some times the intelligence is partial/incomplete. #linkedintopvoices #terrorism #counterterrorism #intelligence #counterintelligence #mi5 #mi6 #gchq #signalsintelligence #humanintelligence #waronterror #martynslaw #surveillance #countersurveillance

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