Section 24 of RIP(S)A requires the Scottish Ministers to
issue one or more Codes of Practice relating to the
exercise and performance of the powers and duties in the
Act and Part III of the Police Act 1997 (authorisation of
interferencewith property or wireless telegraphy). Any
person or body undertaking the surveillance activities
covered by the RIP(S)A is required to comply with these
codes. Interim Codes were issued in October 2000 and at the
same time put out for public consultation as draft Codes.
The codes of practice required under section 24 of RIP(S)A
came into force on 11 March 2003 covering:-
- Guidance on the authorisation of the use of conduct
of covert human intelligence sources (CHIS) by relevant
public authorities (the police, local authorities and
health boards or trusts); and
- Guidance on the use of covert surveillance by
relevant public authorities and an entry to, or
interference with, property (or wireless
telegraphy).
Both codes are available from the Stationery Office for
£3.95 (ISBN 0-7559-23340 and 0-7559-2333-2). Alternatively,
they can be viewed by clicking on
Covert
Surveillance or
CHIS.