I was asked yesterday has to what makes confidential informant (Human Source) training provided by HSM Training different from other providers. I wasn’t quite sure where to start. Then it dawned on me that it doesn’t actually start with us, it starts with the customer and what they need. And what they need is not always what they want.
Our consultant Dr John Buckley will be visiting the International Chiefs of Police conference in Dallas from 14th to 18th October 2022 as a guess of Altia. If you are visiting and want to have a chat about any of the following topics please stop by.
Confidential informant management
Intelligence management
Anti corruption measures
Interpersonal skills for police officers
Training issues
Counter terrorism.
Here is a story from Rapides Parish, Louisiana, about the rape of a confidential informant.
What I find disturbing about this report are the remarks of some of the officers involved. The article provides commentary on police attitude to the informant.
Here is a story about the compromise of a list of informants names from Nevada’s Record Courier. A worker in the state’s information technology department, was able to open the file containing the names, addresses and even photos of the informants. If informants are being managed properly this should not be possible. It is negligence on the part of the agency managing the informants. We are putting people’s lives in great danger.
The blog discusses the key benefits for law enforcement in using computerized confidential informant management software. The article highlights the risks that will be managed and some of the cost savings that can be made. The article will be of interest to Chiefs of Police and Sheriffs who are interested in maximising the intelligence gained from informants and at the same time minimizing risk
Here is a story of three careers destroyed because of the failure to manage a confidential informant safely. The FBI are the USA’s most prominent law enforcement agency. This case begs the question as to what happened to facilitate the mismanagement of this informant. Be under no illusion this is not just one officer acting badly - it is a failure of systems and processes.
A lot of agencies out there have problems with the management of confidential informants. Unfortunately, some of them do not know it yet. For others they are trying to clear up the mess. And one or two are trying to cover up the mess not caring that it will just manifest itself again in a different way at some stage later.
At HSM Training and Consultancy we believe we have the solutions regardless of what the problem is.
Often asked as a child’s joke, the question ‘Why did the chicken cross the road?’ is about motive. We could rephrase it and ask: ‘What motivated the chicken to cross the road?’ This article discusses some of the factors relevant when it comes to working out what drives a person’s behaviour. The full details are contained in the book: Why - Understanding Motive and Motivation.
At HSM training and consultancy we are great believers in research relating to the management of confidential informants (CHIS, Confidential human intelligence sources, human source, HUMINT) . The more we look at the topic the better equipped we all should be. A recent paper The moral and emotional world of police informants was recently published by Bethan Loftus, Matthew Bacon, and Layla Skinns.
When it comes to building a witness protection scheme merely building the framework, does not ensure people will come as this story from KTTN in Missouri illustrates. Despite the state government setting aside a fund of 2 million us dollars, little of the money has been used. Of the state’s more than 600 law enforcement agencies, 13 have signed up to participate, and of those signed up, only four have actually used it. This article examines the fact that no matter how good you think your product is if no one buys it it is worth less.
Well here is a different take on a an unfortunately all to common tale of allegations of inappropriate sexual relations between a police officer and a confidential informant. Unfortunately, this is not the first time that allegations of serious corruption relating to informants and Philadelphia police department have come to light. This article discusses options to remove the risk of such allegations/and events.
We are currently listening to the Washington Post’s podcast on no knock warrants. From a law enforcement perspective it does not make for pleasant listening. The podcasts are told from the perspective of the families of those involved. Undoubtedly, there are questions to be answered bylaw enforcement and the judges involved.
A discussion a recent Background Briefing podcast from the ABC. It discusses an undercover investigation into terrorist activities in Melbourne, Australia. The program is interesting from many perspectives. It tells the tale of a number of young Australian men who were radicalised and the use of an undercover operation to investigate the activity of those involved. It raises legal, ethical and operational matters and is useful in leading discussions on the topics raised. Listen with an open mind.
