NCJ Number
72371
Date Published
Unknown
Length
37 pages
Annotation
This document contains information not usually found in the available materials on informants and is specifically designed for officers of local police agencies or regional law enforcement units.
Abstract
The document includes using informants in narcotics investigations, using juvenile informants, and using probationers and parolees as police informants. The section on narcotics offenses describes the use of the informant, which informants are most reliable, ground rules that officers must follow, when to reveal the identity of informants, recordkeeping, and search procedures when a case is prosecuted on informant buys. Protecting the informant's identity and circumstantces that may compel disclosure are discussed. The section on the use of juveniles discusses some of the problems unique to the use of juveniles such as peer group pressures, attitudes, and behavior. Procedures for obtaining juvenile informants are discussed as are possible dangers to informants and their families. The article further emphasizes that the use of juvenile informants should be avoided if at all possible. A third section describes the requirements for convicted offenders who have been granted probation or parole. It discusses proper procedures for developing an arrestee as an informant, defines probation and parole, outlines relationships between police and probation and parole officers, and discusses some ethical considerations. Appendixes contain a confidential informant file form and fiscal accountability forms.