The utilization of confidential informants is lawful, and often essential, to the effectiveness of properly authorized criminal investigations or intelligence-gathering activities.
At the same time, such utilization carries with it special challenges and risks that warrant prudent and responsible efforts. Those adopting or utilizing these guidelines acknowledge that special care must be taken to carefully evaluate and closely supervise the use of confidential informants.
Due to the inherent dangers associated with the investigations of drug-related crimes and other serious offenses, or similar concerns in any situation in which the use of a confidential informant is anticipated, a priority of such operations is the safety of the persons involved, including the confidential informant, agency personnel, target offender(s) and the public.
Law Enforcement agency operational decisions and actions regarding the use of confidential informants, must keep the safety of involved persons a top priority and agency personnel should exercise the utmost care and judgment in order to minimize the risk of harm to all persons involved.
The purpose of these guidelines is to promote among the state and local law enforcement agencies utilizing confidential informants the development and maintenance of comprehensive policies and procedures addressing the recruitment, selection and utilization of confidential informants and to articulate minimum training expectations for those agencies.
Compliance with these guidelines will enhance the goal of establishing more uniform practices throughout the state and promote the safety of those involved in operations involving confidential informants.
These guidelines are intended to assure, to the greatest extent possible, uniformity of policy and procedure regarding the use of confidential informants by state or local law enforcement agencies throughout the state.
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