Snooping Scottish plod to be taken to tribunal by spied-on detective A former detective for Police Scotland who raised concerns regarding a bungled murder inquiry, and was subsequently targeted by anti-terrorism powers, has stated he will follow his complaint through to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal. According to the Scottish Sunday Mail, which had pursued the initial story, Gerry Gallacher …
Oh yea, I wasn't implying she doesn't like it this way.
I just want her to have a couple of references for why the pitchfork wielding populace turns up outside her door.
Of course, that won't happen, as anti terror legislation will enable the riot police to preempt that kind of organisation.
Unfortunately what they'll actually get is six months "Gardening Leave" (at Tax-payers' expense), then told that they've been a naughty boy and they shouldn't do it again, before either getting back to work on full pay (and probably a promotion) or retire with a big golden parachute...
Another sad indictment of the ongoing abuse of power by those entrusted with it. And they wonder why we object to them being given even more. There should be penalties attached for any person using RIPA that isn't targeting terrorism. But of course that will never happen,
I am quite sure they know ahead of time exactly which additional 'unintended' ways it will be used in, and carefully word any legislation to allow such loop holes. Hell I wouldn't be surprised if top brass were all supplied with a cheat sheet to make sure they quote it appropriately for each loop hole they use.
The real problem here is mis-use of legislation by those in power. Is he a terrorist? No
Sadly, not so.
The *real* problem is that, although the legislation was supposed to be about fighting terrorism, the actual Act itself is specifically drafted to enable this sort of shenanigans; it's a general-purpose "be a total bastard" law, only mentioning terrorism in passing...
Vic.
"There are probably few differences but they can matter."
As I understand it, and I could be wrong, the only differences are where inconvenient Scottish laws might prevent certain bits from happening as intended and procedural differences in terms of the job titles referred to, eg people who must get reports or can authorise actions.
A warrantless entry into your home doesn't automatically mean that unauthorised persons with flat feet are going to plant evidence linking you with Islamic terrorists, 'find' incriminating documents and child porn on your PC and drinkyour best Scotch but it could happen.
That's why we need oversight and clear evidence and intentions when applying for a warrant.
Do you think I could leave you lying
When I could lie my arse off too
If somebody squawks in the witness box
I'll cover up for you
I'll tell a pack of lies, pull the wool over their eyes
The way the sergeant taught us to
Before you count to three we'll be off scott free
We're two little boys in blue
(c) Mr Willam Connoly on the Scottish police force
You'll note that in this case, and in the TVP case that Private Eye have been banging on about for years, it's the *senior* officers abusing their powers to suppress the junior officers and whistleblowers.
Anti-Police comments kinda miss the pointwhen the victim and perpetrator are both Police.
The only way to get promoted in the Police, and I assume any other large public organisation,, is to get one over on your colleagues so naturally the corrupt rise to the top. It's also a job that's impossible to do without eventually getting caught up in something bad (the person you were trying to help died, the drug dealer killed himself swallowing his stash) unless you avoid work and concentrate on socialising your way to the top.
I'd be pretty terrified too, if after decades of law enforcement I was suddenly expected to be publicly accountable for improper investigatory procedure!! It's so much easier to hang out over by the coffee machine, especially when someone brings in a box of donuts...
(I'll have another maple bar, please!)
Er! There's actually 2 cases being investigated by IOOCA, of which Police Scotland is one. There is another case in England, which seemingly is causing sleepless nights at the Home Office.
Police Scotland managed to piss off the local press (and a lot of people by other means) by the illegal use of their powers. Incidentally, the Top Cop, Sir Stephen House, has left PS 9 months before his 4 year contract ended.
The eulogies from the SNPHQ would have brought tears from a glass eye.
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