Planning an Undercover Operation
Certain coordination requirements are desired before an undercover operation can,
begin. If the: operation is to take place in a civil area, coordination with civil
authorities is necessary. Coordination with local police is routine in all cases
involving the civilian community.
Although coordination is desired, only those people with the need to know and who
can distinctly add to the investigation should know about it.
Collecting Information.
The following three categories of information apply to
undercover operations.
o
Information that establishes the need for the undercover operations.
It is
possible that a great deal of this information is already assembled.
o
Information sought through the undercover operation.
This would be
information that identifies the individual or organization.
This includes
members, charter, and anything else of interest to the investigation.
o
Information continuously sought by other investigators to assist the
undercover man.
This takes a constant effort.
The information is turned
over as soon as it becomes available.
Developing a Background Story. This technique is used to conceal the identity of
the investigator. The goal is to help the investigator gain the confidence of the
subject.
Arrangements can be made to have key principals in the fictitious history of the
investigator. They can back up any assertions made by him in the event the subject
decides to check him out. Every effort should be made to keep the story believable
and simple.
If possible, it should conform to the actual history of the
investigator. Background stories are seldom, if ever, wholly fictitious.
Clothing and personal items must fit the role. This includes quality, price, age,
fit, and even the degree of cleanliness.
Documents should show degrees of wear.
The lab can assist you in this area.
It can, for instance, prematurely age
documents. You should be able to explain how each item came into your possession;
No weapon is carried unless it fits your background story.
Pretending to be handicapped can be dangerous.
Pretended handicaps are hard to
keep up for any length of time.
If you forget or make a wrong move, you expose
your true identity.
Determining Communication Requirements.
Some simple and practical method of
communication should be devised so the investigator can communicate with
headquarters.
Prearranged signals with other investigators can be arranged.
Public telephone calls are normally a safe means of contact.
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MP2004
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