There is simply no valid excuse in 2021, for officers mishandling confidential informants (HUMINT, confidential human sources, Covert human intelligence sources, CHIS). While there is always a risk that one officer becomes involved in corrupt behavior systems should be in place where such behavior is very difficult to carry out and if it is done it can be readily detected and easily proven. A recent story in the Seattle Times serves to illustrate the point. In brief, the story discusses a probe into the activities of a police officer in King Count Sheriffs Department with allegations of corrupt payments and the forging of documents. As the article contends: “The ties between undercover cops seeking intel and the street informants often engaged in criminal activity is fraught with potential problems, vulnerable to exploitation and could put lives in danger…”
In order to safely and effectively manage informants three things need to be in place:
Comprehensive procedures. An agency needs procedures that dictate every action an officer must follow in dealings with an informant. Comprehensive is the key word here. If your agency has just a few pages it leaves far too many gaps for corrupt behavior to take place and to go unnoticed.
Training. Officers managing confidential informants need adequate training. It is not a job every officer can do. Officers need weeks of training and to be certified as competent in the role.
Record keeping. Agencies must keep adequate records of every interaction with a confidential informant. In 2021 there is no reason for an agency not to have a computerized database constructed for the specific purpose of managing confidential informants. Such software ensures that records are timed and dated if they are altered there is a record of who did it. In a similar vein all original notes can be kept in a secure digital notebook forcing officers to be fully accountable for their actions.
If you are concerned about how you are managing confidential informants please get in touch we can provide a full audit of everything you are doing, identify any risks and offer you options to manage those risks. If you have any questions please get in touch at info@hsmtraining.com or +44 7739 370 969. We know what we are talking about. this is what we do every day. We have used Kings County Sheriffs Department so we can all learn. In return we are prepared to carry out an audit for them at no charge. So if you are the Sheriff please let us know.
