When it comes to building a witness protection scheme merely building the framework, does not ensure people will come as this story from KTTN in Missouri illustrates. Despite the state government setting aside a fund of 2 million us dollars, little of the money has been used. Of the state’s more than 600 law enforcement agencies, 13 have signed up to participate, and of those signed up, only four have actually used it. This article examines the fact that no matter how good you think your product is if no one buys it it is worth less.
Confidential Informant related corruption - USA
Well here is a different take on a an unfortunately all to common tale of allegations of inappropriate sexual relations between a police officer and a confidential informant. Unfortunately, this is not the first time that allegations of serious corruption relating to informants and Philadelphia police department have come to light. This article discusses options to remove the risk of such allegations/and events.
Human Sources (CHIS) domestic violence and managing risk
Confidential Informants and 'no-knock' warrants
We are currently listening to the Washington Post’s podcast on no knock warrants. From a law enforcement perspective it does not make for pleasant listening. The podcasts are told from the perspective of the families of those involved. Undoubtedly, there are questions to be answered bylaw enforcement and the judges involved.
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.
Confidential Informant management - hitting the tree
Managing the insider threat.
One of the joys of working across the globe in this business area is that we get to work with a lot of different companies each of these brings a different aspect of to our knowledge. One such company is Daltrey who produce the Identity Today podcast. There are lots of learning there featuring interviews with industry leaders.
Here is a link to the podcast we did with them on the topic of managing the insider threat.
Confidential Informant and Wrongful convictions - Painful to watch
Poorly managed confidential informants can lead to wrongful convictions. Here is our commentary on the KSAT 12 documentary ‘A Necessary Evil’: The Cost of Confidential Informants,” It makes for painful watching for any law enforcement officer. who knows how to manage confidential informants properly. It provides suggestions as to how to make sure law enforcement agencies have adequate training, systems and software solutions to mage informants properly.
Confidential informants - a high risk business.
Despite significant evidence to the contrary unfortunately, some Police Chiefs think managing confidential informants is a job any of their officers can do. Some fail to recognize the risks involved until it is too late. Just in case you are of a similar mind and can’t see the risks that are ever present, this article provides a few stories to focus the mind about some of the risks that are present.
COMING TO USA - an opportunity for police training
Interpersonal Skills for Police Officers - A short quiz to get you thinking.
Interpersonal skills training for police officers. A short quiz designed to show readers how questions directed at police can evoke responses that lead to negative behaviors. HSM Training is a company specializing in delivering deliver psychology-based, communication skills training to law enforcement officers.
Confidential Informant Corruption - Canada
Here is a story about informant related corruption and York Regional Police in Toronto, Canada which we have discussed before. A sixteen year veteran was sentence to over seven years in prison, for corruption relating at least in part to the management of confidential informants (HUMINT, confidential human sources, CHIS)
'Informants used to help free hostages' - The benefits of using human sources
A good news story from Nigeria about the release of hostages. Interestingly in the story is the point they make about using informants to get intelligence about the criminal gangs. Using confidential informants (HUMINT, Human Sources, CHIS) has become very much the poor cousin of intelligence collection. Many have consigned it to the too difficult to do tray in favour of OSINT collection. The reality is that if informants are managed properly the amount and quality of intelligence they produce cannot be surpassed.
Bad Information from a confidential Informant costs $2.9 million.
Many of our readers in the USA will be familiar with the case in Chicago of Anjanette Young, where police executed a warrant on her apartment to search for a gun. Without going into all the details of what was done wrong, it has now cost the City of Chicago $2.9 million in compensation for Ms Young. This was an expensive day out for the Chicago Police Department. We can stop the same thing happening to your agency,
