5 Aug 2019
To manage such a broad remit, the Inquiry has divided its fact-finding work into six “tranches”. Special Demonstration Squad officers and managers and those affected by their deployments are split into three tranches each covering a different time period: Tranche 1: 1968-1982; Tranche 2: 1983-1992; Tranche 3: 1993-2007.
As a smaller and more recent policing unit, National Public Order Intelligence Unit officers and managers and those affected by their deployments are the focus of a single tranche – Tranche 4.
Tranches 5 and 6 cover “Other undercover policing officers and managers and those affected by deployments” and “Management & oversight by mid- and senior-rank officers, other agencies and government departments” respectively.
The Inquiry is conducting its investigations in broadly chronological order. It was originally intended that Tranche 6 would be investigated after the Tranche 5 investigations had concluded. However, owing to the age and health of some potential Tranche 6 witnesses, the Inquiry has decided to bring forward work on this tranche. Management and oversight issues that form Tranche 6 will now be investigated in the relevant tranche for the relevant period or policing unit.