Lakewood Police Department
Policy and Procedure
Informants 		Effective Date: 10/15/2010
Policy Number: PP-4325
  1. Policy

    Information is received by the department regarding criminal activities and suspects from persons in all walks of life.  Many people who give information have been victims or witnesses of crimes or they may have a strong desire to aid law enforcement.  There are others motivated purely by selfish interest.  However, regardless of their motivation, the use of informants is a basic weapon in the fight against crime, and they are judicially recognized sources of information.  An informant's motivation shall be carefully evaluated in determining the extent upon which the information will be relied.  
  2. Procedure 
    1. Agents assigned to any division are encouraged to develop and utilize informants.  
    2. Informants are to be listed in the Vice/Narcotics Section informant file.  
    3. The Vice/Narcotics Informant File will contain: 
      1. Documentation of the true identity of the informant, including a photograph; 
      2. Biographical and background information, criminal history, if any; 
      3. A set of fingerprints, if the informant does not have an FBI number; 
      4. Records of payment and signed receipts for any and all payments made to the informant; 
      5. Reports documenting the activities of the informant; 
      6. A signed parental permission form, if the informant is a juvenile;, and, 
      7. Permission forms, if the informant is on parole, work release, or intensive supervised probation, from the parole officer, probation officer, or sentencing judge.  
    4. Information in the informant file shall be confidential and may be released only by the Investigation Division commander, the Crimes Against Property Section Commander, a sworn supervisor of the Vice/Narcotics Team, or the chief of police.  
    5. The identity of an informant should be protected by: 
      1. The use of an identity code in documents concerning the informant's status.  
      2. The avoidance of unnecessary disclosure of his/her identity during discussions.  
      3. Careful selection of meeting locations or other methods of communication to minimize the informant's connection to law enforcement.  
    6. Any informant who is to receive money, as payment for information shall be listed in the informant file.  
    7. Parents of juvenile informants must sign a release form prior to using the informant.  A copy of the release form shall be included in the informant's file.  
  3. Rule

     Agents shall not be authorized to grant immunity from prosecution in exchange for information.  Immunity may be granted only by a judge in a judicial proceeding through the District Attorney.   

 

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