Covert Investigation Fifth Edition (Blackstone's Practical Policing)

Examining all the issues you need to consider when deploying investigative tools under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) and the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, Covert Investigation is a highly practical and detailed guide to this important, complex and sometimes controversial area of the law.

ully revised, Covert Investigation sets the context for the moral management of covert investigations, and the statutory principles underpinning such interventions. Authorization and governance frameworks are discussed, with emphasis on issues facing authorizing officers, as well as a focus on practical management issues from strategic and operational perspectives. Part 2 concentrates on the statutory elements of covert investigations, addressing directed surveillance, intrusive surveillance, property interference, and surveillance through communications and the data it generates. There is also discussion of the use of covert human intelligence sources, especially the significant moral issues arising from relationship manipulation and privacy intrusion within the sphere of covert investigations. The authors present clear and concise guidance to ensure that applications for covert investigations are made only in appropriate circumstances and that those investigations are undertaken with the utmost integrity.

The book forms part of the Blackstone's Practical Policing Series. The series, aimed at junior to middle ranking officers, consists of practical guides containing clear and detailed explanations of the relevant legislation and practice, accompanied by case studies, illustrative diagrams and useful checklists.

Clive Harfield, Professor of Law (Adjunct), University of Queensland, Australia,Karen Harfield, senior public servant with the Australian Commonwealth Government

Clive Harfield is Professor of Law (Adjunct), University of Queensland; Visiting Research Fellow in Criminology and Policing, Bath Spa University; and Research Fellow in Cyber Investigation Ethics, IDCARE, University of the Sunshine Coast. He previously served with the National Crime Squad, and was a BCU Intelligence and Covert Operations Manager for Warwickshire Police.


Karen Harfield is a senior public servant with the Australian Commonwealth Government. She has previously served with the Australian Crime Commission, with HM Inspectorate of Constabulary, as Head of Intelligence for Warwickshire Police, and in the National Crime Squad.