The Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act
2000 (RIP(S)A), passed by the Scottish Parliament in
September 2000, provides a statutory basis for the
authorisation and use by public authorities of covert
surveillance (both
intrusive and
directed), and the use of covert human
intelligence sources who may be a number of things
including agents, informants or undercover officers. These
are important intelligence gathering tools which enable the
police and other relevant public authorities:
- to prevent or detect crime or to prevent
disorder;
- act in the interests of public safety; and
- to protect public health.
Authorisation can only be made by relevant public
authorities designated in section 8 of RIP(S)A or
designated in an order made under section 8, and only after
strict necessity and proportionality criteria are met. To
view the different authorisation forms, please click on
Authorisation
Forms.
The overall aim of RIP(S)A is to provide a framework
that specifies the circumstances in which certain covert
investigation techniques may be used, as well as their
authorisation and complaints procedure, so that their use
is ECHR compliant.
To view the full text of the Act, please click on
Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act
2000.