Special Demonstration Squad (SDS)

The Special Demonstration Squad (SDS) was a now-disbanded undercover unit of the UK police tasked with infiltrating political and activist groups. They are newsworthy due to an ongoing public inquiry investigating their past activities. Recent revelations at the inquiry include an officer, 'Simon Wellings,' exposing himself through a recording blunder, senior officers praising another officer, Jim Boyling, for lying in court under a false identity, and Boyling admitting to deceitful sexual relationships with women while superiors turned a blind eye. These revelations highlight potential misconduct, including perjury, privacy violations, and abuse of power. The inquiry's findings are significant as they could lead to reforms in undercover policing practices and accountability for past actions.