AQW 27716/11-15

Lord Morrow of Clogher Valley
Democratic Unionist Party
Fermanagh and South Tyrone

Tabled Date: 04/11/2013
Answered On Date: 15/11/2013
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of the Environment, pursuant to AQW 27215/11-15, how much it has cost to date to equip enforcement officers with cameras and to train them on procedures in gathering and submitting such evidence.

Answer:

DVA Enforcement staff are issued with a digital camera to enable collection of photographic evidence which may be used to preserve an accurate record of evidence encountered during an investigation. Currently the cost of a camera and an SD card is approximately £51.78.

Training on procedures associated with gathering and submitting evidence is incorporated into one of seven modules that form part of The Advanced Certificate in Investigative Practice which is the standard training provided to all enforcement officers. Training for the certificate includes a module based on the gathering of data both written and photographic and how to ensure evidence collected during the course of an investigation is in strict accordance with Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 and the Data Protection Act 1998. The current cost to train an enforcement officer for The Advanced Certificate in Investigative Practice is £3,500 per person.