Psychological Surveillance
Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request ref: 01/FOI/26/009376/B
Version Date: 05/02/2026
The Alliance People Department has provided the following information:
I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding the use of psychological surveillance or monitoring within your force, specifically in relation to high-risk roles, (e.g., firearms officers, counter-terrorism units, custody officers).
Please provide responses to the following questions:
1. Does your force currently implement any form of psychological surveillance or monitoring for officers in high-risk roles?
Yes
- How does the force identify which roles pose a high enough risk to trigger monitoring?
We use an assessment tool developed by Dr Noreen Tehrani. It is completed by the Mental Health & Welfare Advisor, the line manager and officer/staff member to ensure we have a rounded view.
- Which roles have been identified as high risk, if any?
- Public Protection Unit Senior Management Team (PPU SMT)
- Local Safeguarding Team (LST)
- Central Safeguarding Team (CST)
- Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements/Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MAPPA/MASH)
- Superintendents
- Dive Team
- Op Gemstone
- Dog Licensing
- Vision Zero
- Crime Scene Investigation (CSI)
- CORONERS
- Major Incident Support Team (MIST)
- Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT)
- Data Forensics Unit (DFU)
- Digital Video Unit (DVU)
- Imaging Hub
- Crime Familt Liaison Officer (FLO)
- Roads Familt Liaison Officer (FLO)
- Professtional Standards Department (PSD)
- Crime Investigation Department
- Negotiators
- Op MOONSTONE 1
- Serious Collisions Investigations Team (SCIT)
- Forensic Collision
- Forensic Vehicle
- Managament of Sexual Offenders & Violent Offenders (MOSOVO)
- Op MOONSTONE 2
- Roads Policing
- Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT)
- Counter Terrorism (CT)
- Firearms
If yes, what methods or tools are used (e.g., regular psychological assessments, digital monitoring, behavioural analytics)?
Psychological assessment on a yearly basis including a thorough initial assessment (Adverse Childhood Experiences, etc).
- Are these measures mandatory for all officers in designated high-risk roles?
They are only mandated for the Paedophile Online Investigation Team.
- What percentage of officers in high-risk roles complete psychological questionnaires, surveys, or assessments?
84% overall for 2024/25.
- What steps are undertaken if an officer fails to comply with completing psychological surveys or assessments?
Line Management are informed and they can undertake a stress risk assessment with them instead.
- How frequently are these questionnaires or assessments administered?
Yearly
- Which internal department or external provider is responsible for administering these measures?
Dr Noreen Tehrani.
- Should a psychological questionnaire suggest an officer is at risk of psychiatric injury, what measures/adjustments are available to the force take to mitigate that risk?
If trauma symptoms are indicated, we can get access for counselling via a network of trauma trained therapists. We also have dashboard data to indicate where there maybe trends in a department and share this with the relevant departments.