| Carrying out a surveillance operation: | | | | Operate in a manner which protects the well |
| As a private detective you should have the | | | | being of everyone involved in the surveillance. |
| following skills and knowledge before conducting | | | | Accurately transcribe written or recorded |
| any surveillance operation. Anyone can follow | | | | surveillance notes. |
| someone or their vehicle but the art of surveying | | | | Confirm the extent to which the quality, |
| without being seen is an art which is developed | | | | quantity and relevance of recorded information |
| over many years of practice. As a surveillance | | | | supports the surveillance objectives. |
| operative I regularly learn something new on | | | | Handle and store written and recorded |
| operations, whether this is on mobile surveillance, | | | | information in ways which preserves its security, |
| static, technical or combined surveillance. | | | | confidentiality, integrity and value as evidence. |
| For the basic level operative he or she should be | | | | Collate, analyse and interpret the information |
| able to prepare and plan the surveillance by: | | | | obtained during the surveillance and in the required |
| Specifying its objectives and working to | | | | format, report findings. |
| them. | | | | You should also know and understand: |
| Obtaining, where appropriate, the authority to | | | | Those aspects of current legislation, |
| carry it out. | | | | regulations, standards of behaviour and guidelines |
| Identifying and allocating resources. | | | | relating to surveillance activities. |
| Choosing and using appropriate, ethically | | | | Different surveillance techniques and tactics |
| acceptable and legal surveillance methods. | | | | and how and when they should be used. |
| Checking that any equipment to be used is | | | | The limitations and capabilities of technical |
| working properly. | | | | equipment and the importance of using it in |
| Ensuring, if others are to be involved in the | | | | accordance with manufacturer's guidelines and |
| surveillance, that they know and understand their | | | | legal and regulatory requirements. |
| roles and their responsibilities. | | | | How to recognise and cope with constraints |
| Recce the subject's location. | | | | and prepare contingency plans for dealing with |
| Locate and occupy the correct surveillance | | | | problems which might arise. |
| start position. | | | | What to do if surveillance contact is lost. |
| Use surveillance equipment in accordance with | | | | How to gather record and store information |
| legal requirements and manufacturers' or suppliers' | | | | gathered during surveillance activity and decide its |
| instructions. | | | | quality, sufficiency and relevance. |
| Take prompt and appropriate action if contact | | | | How to handle and securely store written or |
| with the subject is lost. | | | | recorded information to protect its quality, |
| Maintain, when required, communication with | | | | confidentiality and value as evidence. |
| others who are contributing to the surveillance. | | | | How to carry out surveillance activities whilst |
| Record and when required, relay to others | | | | maintaining the health and safety of themselves |
| who are contributing to the surveillance, accurate | | | | and others. |
| information about observed subjects. | | | | |