Informants and Undercover funds Flashcards
Under what circumstances can an informant be used in an audio and/or visual transmitter capacity?
When an exception is considered with any active investigation, following General Order series 75-04 Surveillance.
What directive prohibits informants from carrying weapons while acting in an informant capacity?
Informants are not permitted to carry weapons as per the guidelines.
When can informants possess controlled substances while acting in an informant capacity?
Only if failure to do so would endanger the informant’s life.
What precautions are taken prior to controlled buys with informants involving controlled substances?
Informants are searched to prevent allegations of impropriety.
Are informants allowed to search any person, place, or personal effects of others?
No, informants are not permitted to perform searches in any situation.
What activities must informants avoid to prevent entrapment?
Informants are not permitted to engage in activities constituting entrapment.
When can informants use Division-owned property?
Informants can only use specific equipment provided under Division guidance for police investigations.
Under what circumstances can informants be fraternized with by Division personnel?
Division personnel can only fraternize with informants in an official capacity.
What should informants be advised about regarding the possibility of their identity being revealed?
Informants should be informed in advance about the possibility of their identity being revealed in court.
Is promising or threatening defendants with prosecution allowed to encourage assistance?
No, defendants cannot be promised or threatened with prosecution for cooperation.
Can defendants cooperating in exchange for leniency be promised anything without prosecutor approval?
No, any promises require prior approval from the appropriate prosecutor.
Under what conditions can defendants be used as informants and promised amended charges?
Only if authorized by a prosecutor in advance can amended charges be promised.
Can promises of fees be made to informants without authorization?
No, promises of fees require approval from a unit supervisor or higher ranking officer.
When can informants proven unreliable be used without permission?
Informants proven unreliable can only be used with permission of a higher-ranking officer.
What are the tasks that an adult informant can undertake?
Make observations, furnish information, conduct negotiations, testify, and gather intelligence in specific areas.
Are juveniles restricted from certain tasks as informants?
Yes, juveniles are restricted from performing specific tasks as informants without prior approval.
What should Division officers consider regarding documentation of informant fees?
Documents pertaining to informant fees are subject to subpoena and discovery.
What should be ensured regarding the payment of informant fees to avoid negative influence during trials?
Fees should be kept within reasonable limits to avoid affecting jurors during trials.
How should Division officers proceed when dealing with paid informants?
Proper procedures should be followed in all instances when dealing with paid informants.
After evaluating the information value, what determines the payment to the informant?
The value of information or assistance rendered by the informant.
What are the different types of informants based on their motivations?
They can be ego-driven, mercenary, or good citizen informants.
Why should extreme discretion be used when working with informants?
To maintain professionalism and judgment in informant relationships.
What checks are required before utilizing a person as an informant?
Criminal history check through NCIC and warrant checks.
