Policy Text
SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDERS
G.O. 533.09
Page 1 of 5
533.09
INFORMANTS
12-23-13
PURPOSE
The purpose of this order is to establish procedures for use and documentation of informants.
POLICY
It shall be the policy of the Sacramento Police Department to protect the integrity of the Department and officers
using informants; allow officers access to information available from informants concerning their investigations;
ensure informant confidentiality and credibility; protect the working relationship between officer and informant ;
and ensure integrity, accountability, and consistency by officers when contacting and/or paying informants.
PROCEDURE
A. DEFINITION
For the purpose of this order, an informant file shall be made when the following "definitions" apply:
1. Citizen Informant - A person who provides information on criminal conduct and actively
participates in a criminal investigation because of public spiritedness and whose identity may
remain confidential.
2. Criminal Informant - A person with a criminal background whose assistance to the Department is
based on factors other than public spiritedness.
3. Mercenary Informant - A person whose assistance to the Department is based solely on monetary
gain.
4. Juvenile In formant - A person under 18 years of age who is not yet emancipated (still under
parent, guardian, or Juvenile Court control) and is working off a criminal case or for monetary
consideration.
B. INFORMANT FILES
1. Informant files shall be maintained by the Office of Investigation (OOI ) Captain or designee.
2. All pertinent information shall be permanently kept in a red -colored 9"x12" folder.
3. The following items shall be included in the file:
a. A current photo of the informant. If unable to get a photo, discuss the situation with the section
lieutenant and/or the Office of Investigation (OOI) lieutenant.
b. Informant/Operator Information Sheet (SPD 734) filled out as completely as possible. The SPD
734 should include the criminal areas of expertise (e.g. vice, narcotics, gangs, etc.) and the
geographic areas of expertise.
c. Informant worksheet (SPD 735) that
(1) Account s for expenditures of confidential expense funds.
(2) Document s the reliability and results of informant information and activities.
(3) Safeguard s the integr ity of officers using informants.
d. Operator/Informant Agreement worksheet (SPD 725) that is used whenever an informant is
working for consideration on a criminal or infraction violation.
e. Operator Admonition (SPD 271) required for all informants.
f. A printout of any local arrests, CII rap, and DMV CDL.
g. A list of any LEA report numbers naming the informant as a suspect or victim.
h. Other pertinent information/reports, e.g. credit reference, etc.
4. When informant files are complete, they shall be handed through the c hain of command to the
appropriate captain. Each approving supervisor shall initial and date the SPD 734.
5. The captain of the OOI or his/her designee shall maintain an index file that shall contain an
individual 3x5 index card for each informant file. The index card shall contain
a. The informant's name and identification (DOB/SPD#).
b. The date initiated.
c. The name of the control officer and their assignment.
d. Designation of "problem" informant when applicable.
SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDERS
G.O. 533.09
Page 2 of 5
6. A Western States Information Network (WSIN) check shall b e completed on all informants. The
check shall be documented in the informant’s red file.
C. USE OF INFORMANTS
1. The first -line supervisor or captain's designee shall ensure that all officers adhere to all informant
policies.
2. Absent exigent circumstances, officers shall not use an informant without first completing an
informant file.
3. Before an informant is used for the first time, contact shall be made with the OOI to determine if an
informant file exists.
a. If a file exists, officers shall
(1) Contact the control officer and his/her first -line supervisor for approval to use the
informant.
(2) Upon approval, the officer shall review the original red file and update any and all
information about the informant, including but not limited to DMV status, c riminal history,
current photo, etc. See section L1 below. Once completed, the file shall be reviewed
through the chain of command to the appropriate captain. Each approving supervisor
shall initial and date the SPD 734 .
(3) The above process shall also be completed when a file is deemed inactive.
b. If a file does not exist, officers shall initiate a red file that fully complies with the requirements of
this G.O.
D. INFORMANT -OFFICER INTEGRITY
1. Officers shall not withhold the identity of an informant from their superiors.
2. Identities of informants shall be kept confidential.
3. Criminal activity by informants shall not be condoned.
4. Informants shall be told they are acting independently, not as officers, employees, or agents of the
Department, and that they shall not represent themselves as such.
5. The relationship between officers and informants shall be ethical and professional.
6. Social contact shall be avoided unless necessary to conduct an official investigation, and only with
prior consent of the officer's supervisor .
7. Officers shall not