Here is another story about the consequences of bad informant management in New Bedford, Mass. A lot has been said about problems within this agency none of which can be pleasant for any officer of that agency unconnected with the allegations. These have been covered in depth in the podcast Snitch City presented by the Boston Globe.
Problems Managing Confidential Informants for Agency
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.
A rogue cop, a mystery snitch, and a ‘drug rip.’ How ‘Officer Pills’ exploited policing’s informant system.
Making up informants
Confidential informant corruption. A common problem and a simple solution.
Here is an all to common story about an officer who is suspected of having inappropriate relationships with confidential informants. These relationships happen because officers believe they can have clandestine meetings without any contemporaneous record being kept of the meeting. The article discusses the use of a digital police notebook that provides a simple solution.
Careless or negligence - managing confidential informants
Confidential Informant Management Software - Preventing Corruption and Saving Money
An article about the benefits of using software in the management of confidential informants (human sources, CHIS, HUMINT) The article lists the advantages and the cost savings that can be made. It provides examples of informant software options available and details some of the things a Chief of Police should look for in buying a system. Corruption relating to confidential informants is a big problem. Software solutions go a long way towards managing all the risks present for police officers engaged in this activity.