Introduction
In documentary film Confidential Informants (2010), insight is provided on law enforcement agencies use of confidential informants infamously known in the community as “snitches,” “narcs,” “rats,” and “squealers.” The use of confidential informants in criminal cases is vital to law enforcement agencies. Confidential informants are individuals that provide “vital information to police or the prosecutor about alleged criminal activity conducted by a specific person or group of people (Austin & Irwin, 2012).” Their identity is often kept secret to prevent them from being retaliated upon by individuals involved in the criminal activity that they snitched on. This paper examines the use of confidential informants by law enforcement …show more content…
As pointed out by Austin and Irwin (2012), “the amount of revenue paid to confidential informants varies drastically between a few hundred dollars to several hundred dollars for a single tip.” It is a big money industry for individuals that have a wealth of information about the operations of criminal enterprises that are involved in drug trafficking. As discussed in the film, the amount of money receives depends how the level of targeted person or group, the total amount of the assets seized, and the significance of the individuals contribution (Confidential Informant, 2010). When these individuals provided vital information to help law enforcement agencies infiltrate these large enterprises they could receive approximately $50, 000 for assisting in the drug bust. However, there are guidelines about the financial payments of confidential informants that has been established by the United States Department of Justice (U.S. DOJ). For example, financial payments that range between $2,500 and $25, 000 must be approved by a senior field manager. Other monetary payments beyond $100, 000 must be approved by the federal headquarters. The financial resources the confidential informants receive is taxable income. However, it is alleged that income is never
In documentary film Confidential Informants (2010), insight is provided on law enforcement agencies use of confidential informants infamously known in the community as “snitches,” “narcs,” “rats,” and “squealers.” The use of confidential informants in criminal cases is vital to law enforcement agencies. Confidential informants are individuals that provide “vital information to police or the prosecutor about alleged criminal activity conducted by a specific person or group of people (Austin & Irwin, 2012).” Their identity is often kept secret to prevent them from being retaliated upon by individuals involved in the criminal activity that they snitched on. This paper examines the use of confidential informants by law enforcement …show more content…
As pointed out by Austin and Irwin (2012), “the amount of revenue paid to confidential informants varies drastically between a few hundred dollars to several hundred dollars for a single tip.” It is a big money industry for individuals that have a wealth of information about the operations of criminal enterprises that are involved in drug trafficking. As discussed in the film, the amount of money receives depends how the level of targeted person or group, the total amount of the assets seized, and the significance of the individuals contribution (Confidential Informant, 2010). When these individuals provided vital information to help law enforcement agencies infiltrate these large enterprises they could receive approximately $50, 000 for assisting in the drug bust. However, there are guidelines about the financial payments of confidential informants that has been established by the United States Department of Justice (U.S. DOJ). For example, financial payments that range between $2,500 and $25, 000 must be approved by a senior field manager. Other monetary payments beyond $100, 000 must be approved by the federal headquarters. The financial resources the confidential informants receive is taxable income. However, it is alleged that income is never