Specialist Crime Directorate
Encyclopedia
The Specialist Crime Directorate (SCD) is one of the main branches of the London
Metropolitan Police Service
. It deals with a wide range of criminality from murder
to organised crime
. Assistant Commissioner
Cressida Dick
is currently the head of the directorate. The Directorate is the lead national police agency with regard to specialist crime investigations such as e-crime, sex crimes (paedophile unit) or kidnappings, hostage taking and contract killings.
It encompasses several Operational Command Units:
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
Metropolitan Police Service
Metropolitan Police Service
The Metropolitan Police Service is the territorial police force responsible for Greater London, excluding the "square mile" of the City of London which is the responsibility of the City of London Police...
. It deals with a wide range of criminality from murder
Murder
Murder is the unlawful killing, with malice aforethought, of another human being, and generally this state of mind distinguishes murder from other forms of unlawful homicide...
to organised crime
Organized crime
Organized crime or criminal organizations are transnational, national, or local groupings of highly centralized enterprises run by criminals for the purpose of engaging in illegal activity, most commonly for monetary profit. Some criminal organizations, such as terrorist organizations, are...
. Assistant Commissioner
Assistant Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis
Assistant Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, usually just Assistant Commissioner , is the third highest rank in London's Metropolitan Police, ranking below Deputy Commissioner and above Deputy Assistant Commissioner. There are usually four officers in the rank...
Cressida Dick
Cressida Dick
Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick, QPM is a senior officer in London's Metropolitan Police. Before 2005 she attracted little media attention, but became well-known as having been the officer in command of the operation which led to the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes...
is currently the head of the directorate. The Directorate is the lead national police agency with regard to specialist crime investigations such as e-crime, sex crimes (paedophile unit) or kidnappings, hostage taking and contract killings.
It encompasses several Operational Command Units:
- Homicide and Serious CrimeHomicide and Serious Crime CommandThe Homicide and Serious Crime Command is an Operational Command Unit of the Metropolitan Police responsible for the investigation of homicide and other serious crimes in London...
(SCD1) – Provides the 'murder squadsMurder Investigation TeamMurder/Major Investigation Teams are the specialised homicide squads of the Metropolitan Police in London, England. Forming part of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command, itself part of the Specialist Crime Directorate, there is one MIT for each Borough Operational Command Unit...
' which investigate nearly all murders in London. - Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (SCD2) – Investigates rapes and other sex offences.
- Forensic ServicesForensic ServicesForensic Services is a unit of the Metropolitan Police of London, England. Part of the Specialist Crime Directorate, their duties range from evidence recovery following burglaries to anti-terrorism work. It is divided into six units:...
(SCD4) – Provides crime scene examiners, fingerprintFingerprintA fingerprint in its narrow sense is an impression left by the friction ridges of a human finger. In a wider use of the term, fingerprints are the traces of an impression from the friction ridges of any part of a human hand. A print from the foot can also leave an impression of friction ridges...
ing and photographyPhotographyPhotography is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film...
. - Child Abuse Investigation CommandChild Abuse Investigation TeamChild Abuse Investigation Team/Unit are units within police forces of the United Kingdom, responsible for investigating offences relating to minors....
(SCD5) – All aspects of this crime, including related murders. - Economic and Specialist CrimeEconomic and Specialist CrimeEconomic and Specialist Crime is a branch of the Specialist Crime Directorate within London's Metropolitan Police Service. The unit's main responsibility is to both investigate and take steps to prevent fraud, along with a wide range of other fraudulent crimes which require specialist knowledge and...
(SCD6) – The remit of this unit includes wildlife crime, antique smuggling, computer crime and fraudFraudIn criminal law, a fraud is an intentional deception made for personal gain or to damage another individual; the related adjective is fraudulent. The specific legal definition varies by legal jurisdiction. Fraud is a crime, and also a civil law violation...
. - Serious and Organised Crime GroupSerious and Organised Crime GroupThe Serious and Organised Crime Command is a unit of the Metropolitan Police. It is part of the Specialist Crime Directorate and is divided into 10 units:...
(SCD7) – Responds to crimes including kidnappings and hostage taking. Commercial armed robberies are dealt with by the Flying SquadFlying SquadThe Flying Squad is a branch of the Specialist Crime Directorate, within London's Metropolitan Police Service. The Squad's purpose is to investigate commercial armed robberies, along with the prevention and investigation of other serious armed crime...
, which is part of SCD7. - Trident and Trafalgar (SCD8) – The Trident Operational Command Unit investigate gun crime in the black community, including murder. Trafalgar deals with all non Trident, non-fatal shootings in all other distinct communities across London and the targeting of illegal firearms suppliers, converters and illegal manufacturer
- Human Exploitation and Organised Crime (SCD9) – includes the Clubs and Vice department (previously CO14), Human Trafficking team, Operation Maxim and Operation Swale.
- Covert Policing (SCD10) – This section undertakes surveillance and other discreet policing tasks.
- Intelligence (SCD11) – Provides intelligence products to the rest of the police service.