Observations on Police Undercover Work

• NCJ Number: 105997
• Journal: Criminology Volume: 25 Issue: 1 Dated: (February 1987) Pages: 27-46
• Author(s): G I Miller
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 20 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: An earlier version of this paper was presented at the 1983 annual meeting of the American Society of Criminology.

Annotation

The nature of police undercover work was explored in interviews with 18 undercover officers and supervisors of undercover operations.

Abstract

Municiple police departments assign officers to undercover operations as a strategy to learn about criminal and other activities and to locate and arrest offenders. Departments that use undercover investigation tend to do so regularly, rather than only when other methods have failed. The ability to dissemble is seen as the most important characteristic of the undercover agent. This coupled with the freedom and creativity required, is at odds with the bureaucratic and quasi-military police organization, may expose officers to temptations and lead to abuses, and is potentially at odds with legal guidelines. Other problems identified include the existence of few standards for selecting and qualifying agents, possible lax supervision, inappropriate responsibilities assumed by informants, and the exposure of inexperienced officers to danger with little preparation. 28 references.