The NPIA Specialist Operations Centre (SOC) provides a 'single point of contact' for police forces and key partners requesting information, advice or support in relation to covert techniques, major crime, witness intermediaries, critical incidents and uniform operations.

Made up of four teams the SOC provides:

• Specialist advice on the lawful and effective use of covert techniques
• Specialist advice, and if required, access to the deployable resources of the Crime and Uniform Operational Support teams regarding:         
  • The investigation of murder, no body murder, rape, abduction, suspicious missing persons, and series and serious sexual offences
  • Public order, operational planning and the policing of major incidents; 
  • Disaster management, national de-briefing and the police use of firearms;
• Witness Intermediary matching service and vulnerable witness interview advice  
• Information on Practice Improvement Unit products.
  

The Centre offers a full service during normal working hours, outside of core hours urgent crime advice and support is available via an on call system.