Recommendations - Greater Manchester Police, July 2022
We identified several areas of organisational learning during a directed/ managed investigation. This related to the seizure, retention and disposal of counterfeit goods.
IOPC reference
Recommendations
The IOPC recommends that Greater Manchester Police should review and update force guidance, policies and procedures, relating to ‘planned’ and/or ‘disruption’ operations that are intended to target the unlawful supply of counterfeit goods and ensure guidance on seizure, retention and disposal of material is up to date, clear and readily available to all officers.
This follows investigation undertaken by Greater Manchester Police and managed by the IOPC where officers from North Manchester Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) were engaged in an operation relating to counterfeit goods. It was alleged the manner in which suspected counterfeit goods were seized, retained and disposed of did not comply with legislation policy or procedure.
Do you accept the recommendation?
Yes
Accepted action:
GMP have established a new team of officers and staff from policing and detective backgrounds to form Operation Vulcan. This is being led by a Superintendent.
The purpose of this pro-active initiative is to tackle the embedded criminality, including the sale of counterfeit goods, that blights the communities of Cheetham Hill and Strangeways.
The newly established team will be based in the area itself and comprise of an investigative team and a proactive / enforcement team of officers and staff.
The team will develop best practice and specialist knowledge of investigations. policy and procedures in relation to the seizure, retention, and disposal of counterfeit goods. They will lead disruption operations in the area providing a consistent approach.
Operation Vulcan the point of contact for any other branch or district carrying out such operations.
A new policy document has been drafted which is specific to the seizure, retention and disposal of suspected counterfeit materials. This policy document has been circulated to key stakeholders, including Operation Vulcan, for their feedback prior to publishing.
The IOPC recommends that Greater Manchester Police should consider training for officers involved in ‘planned’ and/or ‘disruption’ operations that are intended to target the unlawful supply of counterfeit goods, to ensure that they are familiar with the legal powers available to them and the force guidance, policies and procedures.
This follows investigation undertaken by Greater Manchester Police and managed by the IOPC where officers from North Manchester Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) were engaged in an operation relating to counterfeit goods. It was alleged the manner in which suspected counterfeit goods were seized, retained and disposed of did not comply with legislation policy or procedure
Do you accept the recommendation?
Yes
Accepted action:
Operation Vulcan staff will receive bespoke training to include legislation, powers, policy and procedures in relation to policing operations and the seizure, retention and disposal of counterfeit goods.
They will receive training from partner agencies such as the Intellectual Property Office and Trading Standards, with additional training from Crime Scene Investigators and GMP’s Professional Standards Branch.
Operation Vulcan will be the point of contact and Force leaders on all matters relating to operations targeting the illegal supply of counterfeit goods.
The IOPC recommends that Greater Manchester Police should review and update force guidance, policies and procedures, relating to seized material brought into police possession and then used for a policing purpose.
This follows investigation undertaken by Greater Manchester Police and managed by the IOPC where officers from North Manchester Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) were engaged in an operation relating to counterfeit goods. It was alleged the manner in which suspected counterfeit goods were seized, retained and disposed of did not comply with legislation policy or procedure.
Do you accept the recommendation?
Yes
Accepted action:
In response to the learning recommendations the Force Property Policy is under review.
The Force has recently updated the property management system which is referred to as e-PMS, (formerly under the KIM property system)
A new policy document has been drafted which is specific to the seizure, retention and disposal of suspected counterfeit materials. This policy document has been circulated to key stakeholders, including Operation Vulcan, for their feedback prior to publishing.
It is important to note that GMP do not support the use of seized counterfeit goods and/or materials for police operational purposes.
The IOPC recommends that Greater Manchester Police should review and update force guidance, policies and procedures, relating to all property coming into police possession, whether counterfeit or otherwise and ensure guidance on seizure, retention and disposal of the material is up to date, clear and readily available to all officers.
This follows investigation undertaken by Greater Manchester Police and managed by the IOPC where officers from North Manchester Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) were engaged in an operation relating to counterfeit goods. It was alleged the manner in which suspected counterfeit goods were seized, retained and disposed of did not comply with legislation policy or procedure.
Do you accept the recommendation?
Yes
Accepted action:
As above, the Force Property Policy is now under review.