SIA CP Surveillance Detection & Counter-Surveillance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a 'choke point' in a route security context?
- A location where movement is restricted, making the principal vulnerable to surveillance or attack (Correct answer)
- A point where radio communications fail
- A high-traffic junction that slows the motorcade
- A location where crowds gather unexpectedly
Correct answer: A location where movement is restricted, making the principal vulnerable to surveillance or attack
Choke points are narrow or restricted locations (bridges, gates, doorways) where movement is slowed or channelled, making it easy for an attacker or surveillant to anticipate and intercept the principal.
Question 2: What is 'mobile surveillance' and how is it countered?
- Surveillance conducted by persons following the principal on foot or in vehicles; countered by route variation, SDRs and awareness (Correct answer)
- Surveillance using drones only
- Electronic monitoring of the principal's communications
- Surveillance conducted from a fixed point
Correct answer: Surveillance conducted by persons following the principal on foot or in vehicles; countered by route variation, SDRs and awareness
Mobile surveillance teams follow the principal; counter-measures include SDRs, anti-surveillance driving, varying routes and timings, and trained operatives watching for surveillance team members.
Question 3: What is the 'ABC' model of surveillance?
- Three-person minimum surveillance: A follows directly, B covers parallel, C is ahead or in reserve (Correct answer)
- A model for assessing surveillance capability
- An acronym for avoid, block and contain
- A training standard for surveillance detection
Correct answer: Three-person minimum surveillance: A follows directly, B covers parallel, C is ahead or in reserve
The ABC surveillance model uses three operatives: A follows directly, B maintains a parallel position to prevent loss, and C is ahead or positioned to pick up coverage if A is noticed.
Question 4: What is 'technical surveillance' and what are common forms relevant to CP?
- Surveillance using electronic devices: tracking devices on vehicles, phone monitoring or hidden cameras (Correct answer)
- Surveillance using night-vision equipment only
- Surveillance conducted by police using RIPA powers
- Monitoring of the principal's social media
Correct answer: Surveillance using electronic devices: tracking devices on vehicles, phone monitoring or hidden cameras
Technical surveillance includes GPS tracking devices, IMSI catchers, covert cameras and phone interception; CPOs should conduct vehicle sweeps and manage device security to counter these threats.
Question 5: Why is it important for surveillance detection operatives to appear natural and not attract attention?
- If surveillance detectors are identified, the threat actor will change their behaviour or abort, losing the intelligence advantage (Correct answer)
- It reduces staffing costs
- It complies with SIA licensing requirements
- It prevents the principal from becoming concerned
Correct answer: If surveillance detectors are identified, the threat actor will change their behaviour or abort, losing the intelligence advantage
If surveillance detectors are noticed, the hostile surveillance team will abort or change tactics, destroying the opportunity to identify and track the threat; natural behaviour maintains the advantage.
Question 6: What does 'burn' mean in surveillance terminology?
- When a surveillance operative is identified by the target (Correct answer)
- When a suspect becomes violent
- When a vehicle is used for the last time
- When a route is assessed as too dangerous
Correct answer: When a surveillance operative is identified by the target
'Burn' describes the moment a surveillance operative is recognised by the target; a burned operative must withdraw to prevent the target adapting their behaviour or becoming alerted to the operation.
SIA CP Surveillance Detection & Counter-Surveillance 2
What is a 'choke point' in a route security context?