Is SOCA operationally independent from the Government?

Yes. SOCA has full operational independence from the Government.

Our strategic priorities are set by the Home Secretary, who also appoints the Chair, Director General and non-executive directors and provides funding. SOCA then determines its strategy for how best to deliver these strategic priorities.

What is SOCA’s budget?

Our total resource funding for the financial year 2006/07 is provisionally set at £416m resource funding and £41m in capital provision.

How will SOCA work with local police forces?

SOCA will work closely with the police on intelligence and operations to ensure that there is an effective link between SOCA’s efforts to combat organised crime at national level and the work being done by police forces at local level.

What powers do SOCA Officers have?

The Director General is able to designate SOCA officers as having the powers of a police constable, a customs officer, or an immigration officer.

Many officers won't need to have any powers to do their job. But where powers are needed, we will train and equip officers so that they have the right powers.

Why is it important for SOCA Officers to have powers of constable, customs officer and immigration officer?

Serious organised criminals do not work in silos, so neither must we. The law has been developed to provide SOCA officers with the right level and mix of powers to prevent, disrupt and investigate organised criminals at all levels.

Why is SOCA exempt from Freedom of Information requirements?

SOCA needs to be able to protect information provided to it from various sources (both within the UK and abroad). The sensitivities surrounding this information are similar to that concerning information about national security.

Will a focus on national organised crime operators mean neglecting smaller scale operators, which affect smaller communities?

No. Serious organised crime, through trafficking in drugs and people, causes enormous harm to individuals and communities throughout UK. SOCA will provide a specialised and relentless attack on organised crime, constraining, and limiting criminals at every opportunity.

Will SOCA operate UK-wide?

Yes. SOCA has a UK-wide remit, but we will work in partnership with agencies in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

What will SOCA do overseas?

SOCA will maintain a large network of overseas officers. We do not provide details of where they are located or their work for security reasons.

What safeguards are there for dealing with complaints and misconduct?

SOCA is subject to similar internal and external safeguards as police forces and other agencies. The SOCA Professional Standards Department is responsible for receiving, investigating and monitoring the progress of public complaints about the misconduct of SOCA officers. They will also update complainants regularly about the progress of their complaint, in accordance with the Police Reform Act 2002. If appropriate, SOCA will refer cases of serious misconduct to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). Complainants can also contact the IPCC direct. In either event, the IPCC will then decide the appropriate method of investigation. In general terms, the IPCC will handle complaints against SOCA officers in the same manner as complaints against Police Officers or officers of HMRC. The Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland (PONI) will deal with complaints in Northern Ireland. In Scotland, this will be the responsibility of the Lord Advocate. There will also be a bespoke inspection regime for SOCA, provided through Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary (HMIC).

What happened to the National High Tech Crime Unit

Like other precursor organisations, the National Hi-Tech Crime Unit (NHTCU) became part of SOCA when the organisation was launched in April.

SOCA takes e-crime seriously and the NHTCU has evolved into a dedicated unit within SOCA to tackle the problem. The Unit has more people, more resources and a bigger budget than its predecessor. It brings together experts from different organisations under one roof and gives this important issue more focus with less potential for overlaps.

However, we also recognise that hi-tech techniques are used across the whole range of organised criminality, not just by specialised ‘hi-tech criminals’. That is why our e-Crime Unit is integrated into SOCA, providing the specialist knowledge and techniques needed to fight today’s organised criminal enterprises.

How can I complain about SOCA or a SOCA officer?

For more information on how to complain about SOCA or a SOCA officer, please visit the How to Complain page on this website.