John Buckley
Confidential Informant Training - From us, ...

I was asked yesterday has to what makes confidential informant (Human Source) training provided by HSM Training different from other providers. I wasn’t quite sure where to start. Then it dawned on me that it doesn’t actually start with us, it starts with the customer and what they need. And what they need is not always what they want.

undercover policing

When is undercover policing not undercover policing

Here is a tragic case in which an officer lost his life in Toronto, Canada

I dont want to go into the specifics of the case as they already have been before a court. However the case raises important questions for policing as a whole namely What is undercover policing?

Unfortunately, many police officers think that just because they are wearing jeans and a t-shirt that they are working undercover. There is real confusion about what is and what is not undercover police work. Unless things are clear and the risks managed accordingly then tragedy is a real posibility.

Human Sources (CHIS) domestic violence and managing risk

An interesting article from the BBC relating to the management of a Covert Human Intelligence Source (CHIS) (confidential informant) and the source’s alleged involvement in domestic violence. This case involves the security service (MI5) and a person they managed as an informant.

The use of undercover operations in counter terrorism investigations

A discussion a recent Background Briefing podcast from the ABC. It discusses an undercover investigation into terrorist activities in Melbourne, Australia. The program is interesting from many perspectives. It tells the tale of a number of young Australian men who were radicalised and the use of an undercover operation to investigate the activity of those involved. It raises legal, ethical and operational matters and is useful in leading discussions on the topics raised. Listen with an open mind.

Undercover operations - Records and accountability and potential corruption

“Cops bought booze, lap dances during undercover strip club probe…” makes for an interesting headline in the New York Post but the whole story raises a lot of questions for the police department involved. More importantly it creates a learning opportunity for other law enforcement agencies when it comes to accountability and record keeping in undercover operations.

Auditing undercover operations - the benefits of getting it right

Auditing confidential informant funds. Article and commentary on an audit of undercover and informant funds