The question of how to provide 24-hour coverage for covert human intelligence sources (confidential informants, human sources CHIS) has been before the UK courts with a sizeable award made to officers for overtime they worked in managing CHIS. Human sources need to be able to contact a handler on a 24-hour basis. It is up to the Police service to put in place structures to facilitate this. The idea that officers will take calls and make decisions and not be on duty is flawed. And if they are on duty they are entitled to be paid. Australian Police services have come to a good compromise Officers in Dedicated Source Handling Teams get paid a percentage of their salary on top of their wage, for being in the unit. This means they are available to do the work when needed and their professional expertise is recognized. It is about viewing human source management as a profession.

Manging human sources is a highly specialized role. Sources potentially have problems 24 hours a day and provide information 24 hours a day. And it is the type of information that cannot be obtained elsewhere. Unfortunately, many who do not understand human source management, think any officer can do it, and/or it is not worth the effort. They believe that they can get everything ‘open source’ and on a nine to five basis. Hence, the reluctance to invest in managing human sources. It is good that the courts have recognized that officers dealing with sources are on duty and entitled to be paid.

So to help out the Police Chief struggling to cope there are a couple of options

1. Pay officers an Additional Responsibility Payment, a fixed sum added to the officer’s salary for the duration of their time in a unit responsible for managing human sources.

2. Set up structures as below

• Have officers dedicated to managing human sources, working in dedicated teams.

• Have a number where there is 24-hour coverage. One officer to filter the calls.

• Have a limited number of handlers on-call.

• Have a supervisor who makes the call if the source has to be contacted or met.

• Pay the officers in accordance with police regulations.

• Don’t be cheap. It puts lives in danger and demotivates your officers.