Policy Text
MAITLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE
COVERT OPERATIONS Page 1
TITLE: COVERT OPERATIONS
NUMBER: 608
EFFECTIVE: FEBRUARY 1, 2000
REFERENCE:
RESCINDS:
AMENDS:
ATTACHMENTS:
DATE FOR REVIEW: PERIODICALLY
REVIEW BY: STAFF/OUTSIDE SOURCE
DATE LAST REVIEW: June 2025
DATE REVISED: December 2021
PURPOSE ………. ................................ .............. 1
DISCUSSION ................................ ..................... 2
DEFINITIONS ................................ ..................... 2
POLICY ................................ .............................. 2
PROCEDURE ................................ ..................... 2
CRIME ANALYSIS ................................ .............. 2
SURVEILLANCE OPERATIONS ........................ 3
UNDERCOVER OPERATIONS .......................... 4
DECOY OPERATIONS ................................ ....... 5
RAIDS ................................ ................................ 5
PURPOSE
Undercover operations are an essential part of the Department’s commitment to controlling criminal
activity. The purpose of this policy is to ensure undercover enforcement investigations and operations,
including “surveillance”, “decoy”, “raids”, “reverse ”, search warrant executions and all types of
undercover or covert investigations are performed in a consistent manner.
MAITLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE
COVERT OPERATIONS Page 2
DISCUSSION
The Maitland Police Department is committed to the investigation and arrest of persons involved in
criminal activity. Covert investigative methods assist in identifying suspects involved in illicit activities.
Due to the inherent risks associated with strategic operations, guidelines and procedures are necessary
to ensure the safety of the i nvolved members, the public, and the overall success of the operation .
Members will adhere to the following guidelines when conducting such operations.
DEFINITIONS
Covert Investigation - An operation or investigation conducted to avoid detection, which is divulged only
to those directly involved in the investigation.
Decoy Operation - An operation in which an officer poses as a potential victim.
Personal Communication Device – All cell phones, pagers, personal e -mail devices, personal digital
assistants, smart phones, “tablet” style computers and other similar devices .
Surveillance - Close observation of a person or location.
Undercover – Activities engaged in by sworn memb ers who, during the course of official investigations,
adopt a role, persona, or disguise and pose as co -conspirators with criminal offenders or supervise
confidential informants engaged in negotiating for or purchasing contraband. Examples of undercover
activities include posing as a buyer or seller of contraband; posing as a vice crimes customer or provider,
posing as a member of a criminal organization, and surveillance.
POLICY
608.1a Covert operations will be used to investigate cases with care taken to safeguard individual
constitu tional rights.
PROCEDURE S
CRIME ANALYSIS
608.2a The Criminal Investigations Division will evaluate informa tion in Department offense reports
and reports from other jurisdictions. When a particular pattern or trend involving specific crimes,
victims, suspects, or loca tions are identified, it will be detailed in a Criminal Activity Bulletin and
distributed throughout the Department and to other agencies as appropriate .
MAITLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE
COVERT OPERATIONS Page 3
608.2b Any noticeable patterns or trends in criminal offenses will be documented by the Criminal
Investigation Supervisor or their designee.
608.2c Background information will be gathered on identified probable offend er(s). Information will
include the following:
• Names of associates.
• Habits and method of operation.
• Vehicles used by the offender.
• Personal and criminal history.
• Locations the offenders might frequent.
NOTIFICATION OF PATROL SUPERVISORS OF TARGET AREA
608.3a When applicable, prior to the commencement of any strategic operation, the Operation
Coordinator will notify the on -duty patrol supervisor and the Communications Center , advising them of
the anticipated hours and location of the operation.
608.3b At the conclusion of the operation, the Operation s Coordinator will advise them that the
operation has ended.
SURVEILLANCE OPERATIONS
608.4a A surveillance may involve a simple, periodic check on a stationary subject or location
conducted by one officer, or a continuous long term, multi -person, multi -vehicle operation. The
following apply when conducting surveillance:
608.4b A surveillance may be of a short -term nature (staking out a stolen vehicle) or of a long -term
nature (on -going investigation). The on -duty patrol supervisor or the CID Supervisor may approve a
short -term surveillance. The Deputy Chief of Police or their designee shall approve a long -term
surveillance.
608.4c Only one supervisor will be designated as the surveillance coor dinator. The surveillance
coordinator will closely monitor the progress of the surveillance operation.
608.4d Procedures for observation, arre sts, and surveillance should be established in advance.
608.4e All operatives will familiarize themselves with the suspect, vehicles used by the suspect, and
the neighborhood or target area.
608.4f If appropriate, the patrol supervisor will be notified of the location of the surveillance operation.
This will be accomplished with the permission of the surveillance coordinator.
608.4g Appropriate surveillance vehicles and equip ment will be utilized. (Electronic surveillance of a
telephone or within a residence will be in confor mance with F.S