The link below refers to the conviction of two Chicago Police officers on corruption charges relating to the management of confidential informants ( aka human sources, covert human intelligence sources.,)
As with similar cases we have discussed the specifics of the case make for unpleasant reading. However with this and similar cases the important take away is not the details of the case but what general principles can others learn from it. And once again the lesson that needs to be learned here is that unless an agency puts in place structures where this type of behaviour can’t occur it will occur. While agencies continue to allow all there officers to manage informants, with limited or no training in a poorly supervised manner then this will happen time and time again. This was preventable. Senior management are to blame for not taking steps to prevent it. It’s hard to hear but it’s negligence.
Here is how information obtained form confidential informants is professionally managed.
Information is collected by dedicated TRAINED OFFICERS whose sole function is to recruit and manage confidential informants.
When the meet with an informant the information they collect is passed to an INTELLIGENCE UNIT where it is analysed and evaluated, graded and lodged in an INTELLIGENCE REPOSITORY where it can be stored until it is needed.
If the intelligence is deemed ACTIONABLE it is passed in a sanitised form to the relevant INVESTIGATORS for action..
While it takes a bit of effort to create a process like this, it is essential in a professional agency.
This process protects citizens from any abuse of power, ensures legal compliance and prevents corruption. If an law enforcement agency does not have a process like this, then problems are one the way if they have not already arrived..
Don’t accept the risks involved. Ask if your Police Chief has this type of process in place.
