Confidential Source Management

The use of confidential sources and informants is a necessary evil in law enforcement. A good informant managed properly can be the difference in solving a variety of crimes, up to and including homicides.  But a poorly managed informant can create a disaster for the officer and the department. Far too often officers are using informants without the proper knowledge on how and when they should be used.

This course will expose officers to issues associated with informant use and the motivations behind why people choose to be informants. The class will focus on common issues associated with informants and how detrimental mistakes can be to your department if policies are not followed. The course will prepare officers for the pitfalls of working informants and provide them with the knowledge they need to protect themselves, their department, and their jurisdiction from lawsuits.

Core Competencies:

Participants will employ best practices as they investigate any crime from its beginning to its eventual disposition; either as an individual, or as part of an investigatory team.

Course Objectives:

Identify and recognize common issues associated with the use of confidential informants and how they can end an officer’s career if not managed properly. 

Understand the need to cultivate informants for solving crimes in your area.

How to properly document and use information obtained from informants. 

Understand the legal requirements on informants, from operational use to testifying in court.

Officer’s responsibility on informant identity disclosures and what must be disclosed and what can be protected.

Recognize common mistakes informant handlers can make and preventing undue familiarity.

Instructional Methods:

Lecture

Discussion

Practical Exercise

Who Should Attend:

Officer’s should know and understand the issues surrounding the use and control of informants and how they are a necessary resource that law enforcement should utilize in solving cases in their jurisdictions. This includes people being used as informal street sources and official informants. Any Officer/Detective/Investigator currently controlling informants.

Course Requirements:

100% Attendance