HC 837Written evidence submitted by Patricia Gallan QPM, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Metropolitan Police [UP 04]
UNDERCOVER POLICE OFFICERS
Letter from Patricia Gallan QPM, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Metropolitan Police, to the Chair of the Committee, 14 February 2013
Thank you for your letter dated 7 February requesting further information in respect of undercover police officers and Operation Herne.
I believe that most of the points you raise were covered in my evidence provided in public and private sessions on 5 February 2013.
As to the future progress of Operation Herne, you will be aware of the announcement by the Home Secretary on 11 February 2013 that the investigation is to be conducted from now under the direction of Michael Creedon the Chief Constable of Derbyshire. Consequently, I am sure you will appreciate that it is now appropriate that you refer to him as regards the future of the investigation.
Patricia Gallan QPM, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Metropolitan Police
February 2013
Letter from the Chair of the Committee, to Patricia Gallan QPM, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Metropolitan Police, 7 February 2013
I am writing to you further to the evidence you gave the Committee on Tuesday 5 February on the subject of undercover policing which we are looking at as part of our inquiry into leadership and standards in the police.
I would be most grateful if you were able to answer the following questions to assist us with our inquiry:
What is the timetable of Operation Herne?
What is the breakdown of the £1.25 million costs for the Operation?
As a result of Operation Herne, has anyone been charged with an offence or are any officers facing disciplinary action? If not, do you expect any future action?
Have you encountered any evidence that suggests the practice of using dead children’s identities was more widespread than in the NPIOU and the SDS, including in other agencies such as the UKBA or HMRC?
How widespread was the practice of undercover officers engaging in sexual relationships? You will know that the Guardian alleges that eight out of the nine undercover officers it has identified did so.
Are there any undercover officers currently employed by the Met who you have found to have engaged in sexual relationships as part of their undercover work?
If an officer is found to have engaged in a sexual relationship as part of their undercover work, what disciplinary procedures will they face?
Why was the decision taken for Operation Herne to be supervised by the IPCC, rather than independently investigated?
Have you made a decision as to how and when you will inform the families of those children whose identities were used by undercover officers?
How many separate investigations into allegations relating to undercover police officers has the Met and/or the IPCC taken?
What are the terms of reference of Operation Herne?
Are you investigating the conduct of undercover officers in other forces and/or agencies?
How many forces are undercover officers operating in?
How many undercover officers are operating under the remit of the Met Police?
If you will confirm that operational command of the undercover officers is remaining with the Met, while the new College of Policing will set standards?
Who set standards for undercover policing prior to 4 February 2013?
The Committee is very grateful to you for your cooperation with our inquiry and it would be so helpful if you were able to reply by midday, Thursday 14 February in order to inform our inquiries.
Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP,
Chair of the Committee