29 30 Metropolitan Police Special Branch To: 31 Dept of Legal Services From DI 32 Date 22 March 2005 Re 33 Summary of Development of Current Procedures for SDS Welfare Development of Current Procedures for SDS Counselling 17.5.1996 Times article re regular examinations of undercover police officers following publication of HMIC report. Report recommends regular 6 examinations for all undercover officers operating in the field. [Doc 1} 6.6.1996 SDS briefing note for DAC34 in response to HMIC Report. Author comments on differences between SO10 and SDS operations; suggests that regular examinations would not be appropriate for SDS undercover officers; and notes 36 positive impression of SDS candidates as compared to those of 5010. [doc 2] 5.5.2000 SDS meeting with Occupational Health representatives. Current system 37 38 39 outlined to OH. Interest expressed by OH in the concept of regular sessions and comment made that ?best practice in other SO Departments' is mandatory/voluntary referrals to medical help every three months. [doc 3] 9.6.2000 Preliminary SDS discussions with I40 \for a formalised process of assistance.41 advises against 3 sessions and warns of the dangers of over-psychiatrisation'. [doc 4] 30.6.2000 Meeting with Commander 42 SDS and OH. Agreed that 6 monthly compulsory sessions should put in place as soon as possible and request made for a paper dealing with all aspects of the selection process, induction, compulsory routine referrals and post operational de-brief. OH comment on forthcoming meeting with S010 to discuss their 'concerns' (not specified). [doc 5] 12.9.2000 Briefing to SDS by 43 land OH 44 gives a useful outline of changes likely to be experienced by undercover officers and emphasises that reintegration was likely to be crucial period in terms of such changes.45 Metropolitan Police Special Branch 12.9.2000 (cont?d) Meeting also discussed the first draft of the SDS Welfare paper. OH undertake to provide a draft paper which would 'improve the current welfare arrangements'. [doc 6] 10.8.2001 After repeated and unsuccessful requests for the promised OH draft paper (which would presumably reflect MPS policy), Commander 46 agreed to the unilateral implementation of the SDS proposals. Formal agreement was then sought from the 47 to devise a suitable process for assistance. [doc 7] 12.12.2001 SDS file note formalising arrangements for counselling for SDS undercover officers. [doc 8] SDS Policy Paper Welfare [doc 9] 29.1.2002 First SDS sessions with 48 begin thereafter at 6 monthly intervals. 4.2.2002 DCS 49 letter to OH requesting funding. [doc 10] 28.2.2002 OH memo apologises for failing to put together a welfare package and states that they are "...continuing to work on an over-arching stress management scheme into which the specific needs of 53 might be able to fit". No reference made to existing programmes (or funding thereof) for other areas of the Service. Question mark raised over 'informality' of the proposed SDS scheme and the potential liability of 50 in the event of litigation. Request for funding SDS welfare programme refused. [doc 11] SDS Response to OH Memo advice to DCS 51 [doc 12] 15.5.2002 Commander 52 briefed by SDS on current position, particularly in respect of funding (it is understood that he subsequently briefed ACSO on the Welfare Programme). [doc 13] Agreement reached that costs of counselling and testing would be provided from central Special Branch funds. 3.12.2003 SDS request funding for a dedicated research programme to evaluate the current system of sue-new; and develop best practice. Research would be undertaken by 53 54 55 with the full support and assistance of 56 To date, funding has not been authorised. [doc 14]57 Metropolitan Police Special Branch Summary of Current Arrangements All SDS undercover officers attend counselling sessions as follows: - At an early stage of the selection process and following successful completion of psychometric testing - Every six months during the course of the operation - At the conclusion of the operation - At the conclusion of the post?operational period of extended leave - Within six months of reintegration into 'normal' police work - At any other stage: o At the request of the officer; or o On the directions of the SDS management team Notes: - Psychiatric counselling is currently undertaken by 58 59 - Counselling support is also available to the partners of SDS undercover officers and SDS support staff on request. - Self referral without the knowledge of the SDS management team is not authorised. - Records will be retained by the under patient confidentiality terms. Feedback to the SDS management team will be in general terms only rather than individual based. Such feedback will only be made with the consent of the officer(s) concerned. - The psychiatrist retains the right to inform the SDS management team of any matter which she/he feels should be disclosed. This will, however, only take place with the consent of the officer concerned. Failure to consent in such circumstances will involve a breach of the officers terms of engagement on SDS. 60 Detective Inspector