Navigating the World of Police Informants

Confidential informants remain one of the most valuable tools available to law enforcement for developing intelligence, identifying criminal organizations, and advancing complex investigations. However, the successful use of informants requires careful planning, sound judgment, and strict adherence to legal, ethical, and operational standards. When used effectively, informants can transform seemingly minor cases into significant criminal investigations.

This comprehensive one-day course provides patrol officers, detectives, narcotics investigators, and supervisors with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to safely and effectively develop, manage, and utilize confidential informants. Through real-world case studies and practical examples, participants will learn how to identify potential informants, establish productive working relationships, assess credibility and reliability, and properly document information to support successful investigations and prosecutions.

The course examines the legal and ethical considerations surrounding informant use, including informant motivation, risk assessment, confidentiality, documentation, corroboration of information, and operational security. Officers will also explore best practices for handling informant meetings, protecting identities, maintaining accountability, and avoiding common pitfalls that can compromise investigations or expose officers and agencies to liability.

Participants will learn how to leverage informant intelligence to develop probable cause, identify investigative opportunities, support search warrant applications, and expand criminal investigations from street-level offenses to larger criminal enterprises. Emphasis is placed on ensuring that informant information is properly evaluated, corroborated, and effectively integrated into proactive enforcement strategies.

Whether assigned to patrol, investigations, narcotics, or specialized units, officers will leave this course with the practical tools and confidence to develop, manage, and utilize confidential informants in a manner that is lawful, ethical, operationally sound, and highly effective.