Policy Text
CONCORD POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMANTS
GENERAL ORDER: 08.02 CREATED: December 1, 2000 ISSUE DATE: November 5, 2025
CALEA STANDARD: 17.4.2, 42.2.6 EFFECTIVE DATE: November 5, 2025
ACTION: Amends general order dated November 15, 2022 .
08.02.0 PURPOSE
The purpose of this general order is to provide regulations for the use and management
of confidential informants (CI). The management and documentation of all Concord Police
Department CIs shall be the responsibility of the Vice and Narcotics Unit.
08.02.1 POLICY
In many instances, a successful investigation cannot be conducted without the use of
reliable CIs. A CI has a relationship with the Concord Police Department and not an
individual officer . When an officer makes contact with a CI, the officer shall be acting in
their official capacity. Adherence by officers to directives and procedures is required at
all times when interacting with CIs. It shall be the policy of the Concord Police
Department to maintain strict confidentiality concerning the identity, information, and
actions of CIs.
08.02.2 DEFINITIONS
A. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMANT (CI)
A person who, by reason of their familiarity, knowledge of, or association with,
provides information about criminal activities, and who has entered into a working
agreement to furnish this information with or without expectation of compensation.
The Cl may be required to work under the direction and as an agent of the Concord
Police Department to gather additio nal information and/or evidence of criminal
activities, and is distinguished from a concerned citizen, witness, or complainant.
B. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMANT FILE
A confidential file that is maintained in order to document all information that pertains
to a CI.
C. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMANT PACKET
Pertinent information compiled and completed to establish and to determine an
individual’s suitability of becoming a CI.
D. SPECIAL FUNDS
Monies utilized for undercover investigative purposes.
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E. UNRELIABLE INFORMANT
An individual who, while working, or attempting to work, under the guidance of the
Concord Police Department, provided false or inconsistent information and is
determined to be unfit to perform as a CI.
08.02.3 PROCEDURES
A. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CI FILE
1. The Vice and Narcotics Unit sergeant shall be responsible for developing and
maintaining CI files. Each file shall be assigned a CI control number.
2. Access to CI files shall be restricted to officers of the Vice and Narcotics Unit,
Special Operations Commander, the Operations Bureau Commander and the
Chief of Police.
3. CI files shall be maintained in a locked file cabinet within the Vice and Narcotics
Unit at police headquarters and shall be subject to periodic examination by the
Special Operations Commander .
4. A CI Packet (Form CI -1) shall be maintained on each CI that is being utilized.
Each CI Packet shall contain the following information:
a. CI Cover Sheet;
b. CI Profile;
c. CI Agreement;
d. Supplement for pending criminal charges;
e. CI handwriting exemplar;
f. Receipts of special investigation funds;
g. CI photograph;
h. CI criminal history;
i. CI payment log;
k. CI fingerprint card.
5. The Vice and Narcotics Unit shall perform DCI/NCIC criminal history record
checks for all prospective CI applicants.
6. The CI file shall be utilized to:
a. Provide a background source on CIs.
b. Provide a complete history of the information received from the CI.
c. Enable supervisory review and evaluation of the officer and the CI.
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d. Minimize incidents that could be used to question the integrity of the
investigation, the officer, or the reliability of the CI.
B. CI PACKET GUIDELINES
1. Any prospective CI shall complete a CI packet (Form CI-1) prior to any utilization
as a CI by any officer of the Concord Police Department.
2. Upon the completion of the CI packet, the initiating officer(s) shall submit it to
the Vice and Narcotics Unit sergeant.
3. Upon review of the CI packet, the Special Operations Commander shall approve
or disapprove the CI’s suitability.
4. The Vice and Narcotics Unit sergeant shall notify the initiating officer(s) of the
CI’s approval or disapproval.
5. If approval is granted, a CI control number shall be assigned.
6. If the CI is rejected, the initiating officer may request a review of the deci sion
with the Special Operations Commander .
7. All CIs are required to sign and abide by the provisions outlined within the CI
packet. Any violation of the rules and provisions shall be reported by the
officers(s) to the Vice and Narcotics Unit sergeant and the Special Operations
Commander as soon as p racticable.
8. All persons determined to be unsuitable