We are often asked questions regarding the number of confidential informants (human sources, covert human intelligence sources CHIS,) that can be managed safely and effectively by an agency. The numbers involved will vary according to:
The size of the geographical area covered by the agency.
The level and type of criminality being investigated.
Taking these factors into account here are a few numbers readers may find interesting:
[Total Number of officers in agency] divided by 30 equals [Total number of Informants managed concurrently by the agency]
So, for example, if your agency has 300 officers you have the resources to manage ten informants at any one time.
All sources should be managed by dedicated and trained teams, whose sole role is to manage informants. A dedicated team comprises:
1 x Middle Management - a police superintendent/inspector or a major/captain, who can manage a maximum of three dedicated teams
1 x Line Manager - a sergeant or lieutenant who can supervise no more than 20 informants
4 x officers in each team
Each dedicated team can manage a maximum of 20 confidential informants.
If your agency requires more informants the number of teams increases. If your agency is small then the only safe way to manage informants is in joint task forces where agencies come together.
Each meeting with a confidential informant requires 4 hours of work per officer. If an informant is very active the total number of informants that can be managed safely and productively will be reduced.
If you want to enquire more about the numbers that are given here please get in touch.
Managing confidential informants requires training and professionalism; anything else creates unacceptable risks.
