Policy Text
Policy
609Mountain View Police Department
Mountain View PD Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/12/16, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Mountain View Police
DepartmentUndercover Operations - 1Undercover Operations
609.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
There is an inherent danger in undercover operations. For this reason, the Department provides
guidelines for the most usual and foreseeable events that may be associated with and sanctioned
for undercover work. Since it is impossible to anticipate what may occur during the course of an
undercover investigation, officers must continually exercise common sense as well as discretion
and know that their actions will be closely monitored and scrutinized.
609.2 SURVEILLANCE
Surveillance may involve the use of monitoring devices, fixed-point observation and mobile
surveillance. Surveillance may be used to obtain intelligence on suspects, gather evidence or to
verify information.
609.2.1 SPECIAL OPERATIONS ORDER
The investigating officer or supervisor shall prepare a special operations order before the
execution of a search warrant, any undercover officer/informant meet or purchase of narcotics or
property, any planned mobile surveillance, any organized tactical operation, any undercover vice
related operation, and before any high-risk arrest. The special operations order shall be approved
in advance by the unit supervisor and the appropriate division lieutenant. The patrol supervisor,
communications, and any outside jurisdiction shall be notified.
The investigating officer shall conduct a briefing to explain the operations order and case
objectives.
609.2.2 SURVEILLANCE EQUIPMENT
The Specialized Suppression Unit shall maintain surveillance equipment including, but not limited
to, listening devices, night vision devices, cameras, and clandestine vehicles. The Specialized
Suppression supervisor has the authority to authorize the use of the equipment. Members not
assigned to SSU may request to use surveillance equipment through their supervisor. Approved
requests shall be forwarded to the SSU supervisor. SSU members shall be trained in the proper
use of surveillance equipment. Other officers using surveillance equipment shall be trained by an
SSU member on the equipment's proper use and maintenance. Outside requests for surveillance
equipment shall be approved by the SSU supervisor or his or her designee.
609.2.3 USE OF BODY TRANSMITTERS
Body-transmitting equipment is a communication tool to provide for the safety and protection of
those involved in undercover operations. Unless authorized in advance, officers and informants
shall wear body-transmitting equipment during undercover operations. It is the responsibility of
the supervisor to ensure officers utilize this equipment. Exceptions to this policy shall require the
approval of the appropriate division lieutenant.
Mountain View Police Department
Mountain View PD Policy Manual
Undercover Operations
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/12/16, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Mountain View Police
DepartmentUndercover Operations - 2As with any equipment, the body transmitter is not completely reliable. It is the responsibility of
the investigating officer to ensure the equipment is operable when issued, and that other forms
of visual and audio communications are planned and utilized as backup. These may include, but
are not limited to, prearranged visual signals, or the use of pagers, or cellular telephones.
609.2.4 UNDERCOVER RECORDINGS
Undercover contacts made by phone or while wearing a body transmitter shall be recorded except
when impossible or impractical.
609.3 UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATIONS
Undercover investigations involve direct interaction with suspects in order to obtain information
and/or evidence.
609.3.1 UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATION PROCEDURES
Undercover investigations shall be preplanned. The case agent or investigating officer should not
be the officer working in an undercover capacity.
Any time an officer works in an undercover capacity a supervisor shall be present, unless otherwise
approved by the Investigative Services Section Lieutenant or in his/her absence, the Special
Operations Division Captain. If a supervisor is working in an undercover capacity, then another
supervisor, or the division Lieutenant shall be present to supervise the personnel.
The case agent or investigating officer shall prepare an operations plan as described in Section
609.2.1 the Operations Plans Special Order. Factors to consider should include establishing verbal
and visual signals for routine and emergency communications, legal aspects, area orientation,
contingency plans and background information on suspects and locations. Officers should
consider requesting assistance from other Department members or other agencies, if needed. If
an arrest is anticipated in an outside jurisdiction, a request should be made to have that agency
involved in the briefing and operation.
The officer shall have the plan approved by their supervisor. Supervisors shall approve the
methods of the operation and ensure the undercover operation has adequate staffing and methods
of communication to provide for officer safety. The patrol supervisor and communications shall be
notified and provided a copy of the operations plan. If the operation is expected to occur in an
outside jurisdiction, that agency shall be notified.
The investigating officer shall conduct a briefing to explain the operations plan and case
objectives. In addition, undercover officers should review legal aspects concerning entrapment,
thoroughly understand their cover story, ensure their communications equipment is operational
and thoroughly brief any informant involved in the operation. The informant shall not participate
in the operations briefing. Officers involved in undercover investigations shall keep confidential
the specifics of the investigation and the identity of the undercover operatives. A debriefing shall
follow all undercover operations.
Mountain View Police Department
Mountain View PD Policy Manual
Undercover Operations
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/12/16, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Mountain View Police
DepartmentUndercover Operations - 3The undercover officer and any informant should be introduced, or all the involved officers should
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