At HSM training we are continually trying to offer the best products we can to both law enforcement and intelligence services. As part of our research we will also look at what else is in the market place. This gives us an idea of what people are looking for and what is available. We continually strive to offer the best products available. This blog discusses training in relation to HUMINT and confidential informants.
One of our consultants recently raised the possibility of providing on line courses. As part of our we research we took a look at a number of courses available on line in relation to HUMINT and the management of confidential informants. It is here that we encounter the first problem in deciding what training you want to take. HUMINT has its origins as a military discipline while informant management is traditionally a law enforcement role. For the customer how do you decide what you need? While over the years many of the ideas have merged there still remain essential differences. Of course, much of this comes down to marketing, which on-line course will sell the best? The content is relatively unimportant .
The second thing we noticed is the duration of these courses. Many claim around 4 to eight hours. We found one that boasted of being one hour duration. Simply you are not going to learn much in this time. A basic course to manage human sources takes 40 hours of training. More advance training can take anywhere between one and four weeks of residential training.
Third is the cost. Most on line training relies on volume turn over and their are at least two parties to make profit from that training: the content author who gets relatively little and the platform provider who takes the big chunk. The economics are based on getting the maximum amount of people to take the course. Many of these are charged at between $40 to $ 100. It is much much more cost effective to buy a book or buy several. (here is one on Managing Confidential Informants to get your started. it costs $14 and covers the basic structures needed and how to effectively debrief a human source)
Many of these courses give you a certificate at the end. We would pose the question: do such certificates have any material worth? Maybe of you want to put it on the wall behind your big mahogany desk yes but for indicating professional competence…
If you want to do one of these courses for interest and have zero experience you may pick up a few interesting points. You won’t learn anything secret or sensitive or earth-shattering because the people who are true experts in this arena no not to share outside those who need to know, to keep us all safe.
If you are involved in intelligence work or law enforcement then do your research and find out where you can get the best training. There is a lot to learn. Don’t kid yourself you will get it in one or two days. There is a lot to learn to do it safely and effectively.
For larger agencies the most effective way is to host a course for their staff directly involved in this arena. For smaller agencies a solution is to host a course and ask neighbouring agencies to share the places and cost. Then talk to a provider about where your agency currently is and where it wants to be.
But at the end of the day there is a lot of hard work to increase your competence in managing human sources (HUMINT/ Confidential Informants/covert human intelligence sources / CHIS ) To give you an idea how much our students get 4 text books containing approximately 1500 pages of know how. This provides the theory. In the class room we spend a lot of time on learning and applying the psychology involved.
If you want to be involved in managing people to provide information and you want to do it well you must invest in yourself.
If you any questions please contact us info@hsmtraining.com or feel free to post a comment.