This page is from APP, the official source of professional practice for policing.
The aim of this authorised professional practice (APP) is to set out guidance on the processes relating to the handling and management of intelligence for:
- chief constables
- force lead/s for:
- intelligence-led policing
- intelligence units and sensitive intelligence units
- staff working in intelligence units and sensitive intelligence units, including supervisors and managers
- officers and staff planning operations and leading investigations, such as senior investigating officers and supervisors
- police officers, staff or volunteers who have initial encounters with members of the public, such as frontline officers, police community support officers (PCSOs), special constables, call handlers or front-counter staff, for the purposes of this APP these roles will be referred to as ‘policing responders’
This APP may also be of interest to:
- force learning and development departments
- other law enforcement agencies who deal with intelligence
This APP should be read alongside the:
- National Intelligence Model Code of Practice
- national decision model
- intelligence professional role profiles
To reflect the varying structures and roles that operate in force and regional intelligence units, the professional role profiles have been designed to be function-specific, rather than role-specific.
Governance
Chief constables should appoint a chief officer or assistant chief officer lead to take responsibility for intelligence-led policing and capabilities (more information is available in the National Intelligence Model Code of Practice). They should direct, develop and coordinate the provision of their organisation’s intelligence function, as set out in the intelligence professional role profiles.
The intelligence lead should:
- Develop the force control strategy, which sets out operational priorities relating to crime prevention, intelligence and enforcement and reassurance opportunities (more information is available in the control strategy section of the professional guidance to analysis).
- Lead the strategic tasking and coordination group (ST&CG), where the content of the control strategy is decided, based on:
- evidence in the strategic assessment
- recommendations made by intelligence and strategic analysts
- management of risk in law enforcement (MoRILE) scores (more information is available in the the MoRILE section of the professional guidance to analysis)
- Ensure staff are trained to the required standards appropriate for their role and comply with the Intelligence professionalisation programme (IPP) certification process.
Training, development and vetting
All staff who handle intelligence should complete the Introduction to intelligence digital learning programme (you will need to log in to College Learn). This will help staff to become familiar with key terms, definitions and processes that relate to how information is collected, received and handled.
In addition to this, all staff working in intelligence units should complete the following.
- The IPP. This provides continuing professional development (CPD) and assessment for individuals and organisations who work with intelligence. Individuals who have not completed this programme should have their work supervised by staff who are IPP-trained.
- The IPP intelligence practitioner basics course (you will need to log in to College Learn).
Staff working in a sensitive intelligence unit should also complete any CPD provided by their regional sensitive intelligence network.
All staff should be vetted to the appropriate level according to the intelligence they will be handling. For more information, go to the Vetting APP.
Information and intelligence
The terms ‘information’ and ‘intelligence’ are used throughout this APP. To assist in understanding the differences between the two, the following definitions have been provided.
- Information is data obtained from a source such as word of mouth, observations, surveillance, technology or reports.
- Intelligence is information that, through a process of evaluation and risk assessment, has been transformed into actionable insights which can assist with police decision making.