NCJ Number
48052
Editor(s)
K PAINE
Date Published
1978
Length
0 pages
Annotation
BASIC POLICE TRAINING PROCEDURES FOR PLANNING AND SETTING UP A SURVEILLANCE OPERATION ARE PROVIDED IN THIS SLIDE AND CASSETTE PROGRAM.
Abstract
ORDINARY DUTIES OF A POLICE OFFICER RANGE FROM FOLLOWUP ON A DOMESTIC CALL TO THE GIVING OF TRAFFIC CITATIONS. SPECIAL JOBS, SUCH AS A STAKEOUT, REQUIRE SPECIAL PLANNING AND PREPARATION. SURVEILLANCE IS THE SYSTEMATIC OBSERVATION OF A PERSON, PLACE, OR THING FOR PURPOSE OF OBTAINING INFORMATION, USUALLY TO GATHER THE EVIDENCE OF SOME CRIMINAL ACTIVITY. IT CAN INVOLVE SECURING DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT A PERSON'S HABITS OR ACTIVITIES, PREVENTING A CRIMINAL ACT OR MAKING AN ARREST DURING THE COMMISSION OF A CRIME, FINDING PROBABLE CAUSE FOR OBTAINING A SEARCH WARRANT, KEEPING A CONSTANT WATCH ON ONE SUBJECT OR LOCATING ANOTHER, AND CHECKING OUT THE RELIABILITY OF INFORMANTS OR DEVELOPING NEW LEADS IN A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION. SURVEILLANCE MUST BEGIN WITH A MASTER PLAN WHICH INCLUDES PROJECT COORDINATION, SINCE MANY THINGS CAN GO WRONG SUDDENLY IN THIS TYPE OF WORK. THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF SURVEILLANCE -- MOBILE, WHERE THE PERSON IS FOLLOWED, AND STATIONARY, WHERE THERE IS A STAKEOUT. THE POLICE OBSERVERS MUST STUDY EVERYTHING THEY CAN ABOUT THE PERSON THEY ARE WATCHING, THE AREA THEY ARE IN, THE SPECIFIC PLACE THEY ARE WATCHING AND TRAFFIC PATTERNS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THE OFFICER MUST HAVE A GOOD MEMORY AND USE COMMON SENSE. COMMUNICATION IS A PROBLEM FOR THE OBSERVERS; THEY MUST USE CAUTION WITH A RADIO TRANSMISSIONS -- A SECRET CODE IS CONSIDERED VERY EFFECTIVE. A SUITABLE COVER STORY MUST BE MADE UP FOR ANY OFFICER WHOM THE SUBJECT MAY ENCOUNTER. PROPER EQUIPMENT SHOULD INCLUDE ONLY WHAT IS NECESSARY, SUCH AS CHANGE FOR A BUS OR PHONE CALL, PLENTY OF GAS IN THE CAR, AND FOOD AND BEVERAGES WHEN A LONG STAKEOUT IS ANTICIPATED. SPECIAL CAUTION MUST BE TAKEN WHEN USING ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE EQUIPMENT AND WHEN OBTAINING SEARCH WARRANTS. TEAMWORK AND COMMUNICATION ARE MOST VITAL TO A SUCCESSFUL OPERATION. THE WHOLE PROJECT SHOULD BE PLANNED CAREFULLY AND OBSERVERS SHOULD KNOW WHERE THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE AT ALL TIMES. FOR PART 2 AND PART 3 OF THIS SERIES, SEE NCJ 40853-40854. A HANDBOOK IS INCLUDED WITH THE SET. (BAC)