information should be heard.
This should be the case regardless of how wild
his story may sound.
d. Others. To many, the thrill of detective work is overwhelming. Once
participated in, the person is anxious to continue. Some people are selective
regarding their criminality.
They may condone one type of crime, such as
housebreaking, but hate crimes of violence. This type person may be more than
willing to aid the police in finding those who commit violent crimes. Another
type is the source who will pass on information to the police in hopes of
advantages. An example would be the one who provides information on others to
try to eliminate competition. You should be aware that there are persons who
may "offer" information to try to learn what is known about their activities.
They may offer in an effort to try and divert suspicion from themselves. They
may "offer" to try to "get close" to law enforcement officials. By so doing
they hope to learn of any danger to themselves.
8. Source-Investigator Relationships.
Experience has shown that the most
valuable information about criminal activities comes from certain sources.
They are those who are a part of these activities or in close proximity to
them. This does not mean that all sources have to be criminals. Nor does it
mean they have to be criminally oriented.
You will often have to associate
with persons of low morals and criminal habits. These may include prostitutes,
pimps, and thieves. It may include narcotic users and sellers and other like
persons. The nature of the investigation may require you to accept and even
condone the low standards of such persons. However, you must never lower your
morals or standards of conduct to their level.
To do so will decrease your
effectiveness.
It may compromise both you and the information given by the
source.
a. A successful relationship with a source is most often achieved by the
following:
(1) Honesty and fairness are basic. Once a promise is made to a source,
it must be kept. Avoid any promise of anonymity until it is certain that the
promise can be kept.
(2) Be scrupulously exact in all transactions
with
sources.
This
applies especially if there is money involved.
(3) Maintain control over the investigation and the source, not the
other way around.
(4) Protect the interests of the source. Ensure his safety by keeping
identities secret and confidential; do not identify someone as a source.
(5) Express appreciation for all information received. Double check on
information received. Do so even though the source has a reliable record.
(6) Give
the
source
only
the
information
necessary
to
achieve
the
desired goal.
MP0100
2-18
Previous Page
