It can be very hard for officers working in an agency to read negative reporting in the press, about their agency. And in this case to read of a similar problem occurring. Once you can put down to bad luck, twice …well fingers start to point. Below are two stories connected with officers and confidential informants.
Judge orders Bristol DA to reveal all New Bedford cases involving confidential informant.
Having looked at many such cases, I find the go to place is normally to blame individual officers - Afterall we are accountable for our own actions. However, this does not solve the problem. People do stupid and wrong things especially if we have not made a system to make it more difficult for them to do or make it easier for them to be caught when they start going of the rails. If someone knows they will be caught they are less likely to go there.
So what would I suggest to a department that finds itself in a position similar to the cases mentioned above. First, I would tell them to take a deep breath, because they may not like what they are going to hear. Second, I would tell them they need a comprehensive audit of their informant management and intelligence management systems ( the two are or should be linked.) And get someone qualified from outside the agency to do it who knows the business inside out. No point in an inside audit at this stage - to many pressures. . You need an expert Third, I would listen to what the expert says.
Audits are not prohibitively expensive. Think in region of $10000 -$12000. - much more and someone is ripping you off. This is money well spent.
An audit should consist of review of all policies and procedures and interviews with staff members. Examination of a limited number of source case files is essential. You want the expert to find the issues not hide them from them. Once they are on the table your agency needs to review the findings and discuss the recommendations.
The hard parts in this - admitting you need help and then listening to the help you get. A bit like going to the doctor!
Having been on the wrong side of this journey I can make a fairly good guess at the various feelings those at all ranks of this agency are going through. But I also know that the problems can be fixed in a comparatively short period if the Chief is willing and you have someone in the agency with the ability and will to drive change.
And as always we are here to help. info@hsmtraining.com We are on your side.