§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what training is undertaken by the Special Investigations Branch of the Royal Military Police in the investigation of serious incidents; and what computer system is available to the Special Investigations Branch of the Royal Military Police to assist in the investigation of serious incidents. [176016]
§ Mr. IngramAll members of the Special Investigation Branch of the Royal Military Police are required to attend and pass the Royal Military Police Special Investigation Course. Some members also attend external training courses in the investigation of serious or series crime. Senior members of the Special Investigation Branch are trained as Senior Investigating Officers and attend Home Office accredited training courses.
The Special Investigation Branch have the Home Office Large Major Enquiry System (HOLMES) Version 2 to assist in the investigation of serious incidents.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions in the past two years members of the Royal Military Police Special Investigation Branch have been subject to military discipline; and for what offences. [176029]
§ Mr. IngramAll members of the Royal Military Police Special Investigation Branch are subject to military discipline.
In the past two years, four members of the Royal Military Police Special Investigation Branch have been subject to military disciplinary action. The offences were:
- Rape/Indecent Assault
647W - Possession of Obscene Articles
- Publication of Obscene Articles
- Impaired Driving
- Traffic Accidents in Military Transport.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what mechanisms are available to consider complaints against members of the Royal Military Police Special Investigation Branch; and how many complaints have been made in each of the past two years. [176030]
§ Mr. IngramThere are various types of complaints, which may be related to either authorised policing activities or the conduct of investigations; they may be made at any stage of an investigation
applications for Redress of Complaint are considered in accordance with the Army Act 1955 by the commanding officer of the complainant's unit;complaints that an RMP Investigator has breached the Service Police Codes of Practice, and complaints following the completion of an RMP investigation are considered by the commanding officer of the relevant RMP unit. The Special Investigation Branch (SIB) will investigate complaints of serious malpractice or negligence;in accordance with the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, any complaints about the use of covert investigation techniques are matters for the Investigatory Powers Tribunal.Since 2002, the following number of complaints have been made against members of RMP SIB for alleged professional misconduct:
Number 2002 2 2003 2
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what body has responsibility for overseeing the operation of the Royal Military Police Special Investigation Branch; and to whom it reports. [176031]
§ Mr. IngramThe Royal Military Police (RMP) Special Investigation Branch (SIB) is commanded by the Adjutant General and is under operational control of the Provost Marshal (Army). The SIB is subject to inspection in accordance with the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. The Surveillance Commissioner undertook an inspection in 2003 and made no substantive comments. The Interception Commissioner is expected to undertake an inspection later this year. In addition, all major SIB investigations are reviewed by external civilian police forces in accordance with Home Office Guidelines. No other external body has responsibility for oversight of RMP SIB operations. All reports are made to the Provost Marshal (Army).