Surveillance Officers can find themselves in the witness box giving evidence at any time. Doubt may be cast on the witness’s evidence, experience, authorisation, conduct, notes, method of operation and the policies and procedures followed by them and their organisation. Surveillance evidence may be ruled inadmissible or the trail may be stayed as an abuse of process.

Course Overview

The course is an intensive and highly practical day. The procedures in giving evidence, the order of events, the roles of different people in the court and the process of giving evidence will be explained. The morning session is designed to demystify the process of giving evidence. In the afternoon delegates will experience being cross-examined by a solicitor or barrister on the basis of case studies or statements/policy files/logs from completed cases or training exercises.

Key Learning Points

• How the adversarial system works
• The procedures, order of events and roles of those in the adversarial system
• Taking the oath/affirmation
• How to give clear, honest and objective evidence
• Understand the importance of telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth
• How to make appropriate use of supporting evidence, charts, documents and notes when giving evidence
• How to prepare for giving evidence
• How to handle unused (including sensitive) material
• Techniques used by lawyers in cross- examination and how to handle them
• The importance of being able to show RIPA and Police Act compliance
• The importance of effective planning, briefing and post-operational procedures