Policy Text
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW
1 01/24/2011 03/01/2019
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SP102 - Conducting Surveillance 1 SP102 CONDUCTING SURVEILLANCE
SP102 .1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The procedure provides guidelines for conducting and participating in surveillance activity.
When the need to conduct surveillance, undercover, decoy or raid operation is determined, an
operations plan should be constructed.
SP102 .1.2 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS
This procedure pertains to the following CALEA standards: 43.1. 5, 46.2.8
This p rocedure pertains to the following General Orders: N/A
SP102 .2 PRE-OPERATION INVESTIGATION
Prior to conducting an undercover, surveillance, decoy, or raid operation the supervisor in
charge of the operation should take into consideration the following (not every item indicated
below will apply to each operation):
a) The type of crime and crime victims should be analyzed to develop any type of pattern;
b) Possible offenders should be identified and their methods of operation, habits, vehicles
used and other p ertinent information researched;
c) Intelligence may be gathered on the victim, suspect and/or any witnesses involved which
may include, but is not limited to; a criminal history check, wants/warrants check, driver’s
license check, computer file queries, along with information received from other law
enforcement agencies;
d) The target area of the operation will be identified and officers will familiarize themselves
with this area. The Watch Commander or Patrol Supervisor as well as Communications
will be notified of the operation when appropria te;
e) A check through LA Clear/WSIN should be made on target subject, locations, and known
vehicles .
SP102 .2.1 PRE-OPERATION BRIEFING
The supervisor in charge of the operation, h is/her designee, or case agent should conduct a
briefing with all officers involved prior to beginning any covert operation. This briefing will include
all pertinent information on suspects, locations and officer responsibilities by way of an
Operations Plan, in which the objective and details of the operation will be discussed.
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW
1 01/24/2011 03/01/2019
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SP102 - Conducting Surveillance 2 SP102 .2.2 OPERATIONS PLAN
An Operations Plan should include such items as:
a) Indication of personnel to be involved. Some information may be on a “need to know
basis”, thereby protecting the confidentiality and identity of th e undercover officers
involved;
b) Assigned officers should attempt to work with a minimum of two people for officer safety
purposes ;
c) Indication of vehicles and equipment used;
d) Establishing means of routi ne and emergency communications;
e) Providin g for back -up, perimeter security and pos sibility of relief for officers;
f) Providing for supervision and/or coordinator;
g) The possibility of providing officers with false identification and necessary undercover
credentials. (Note: The Chief of Police may au thorize an undercover driver’s license, via
letter, through the Department of Motor Vehicles, Special Operations Division );
h) Guidelines for observation and arrest(s) for the operation;
i) Visual/verbal bust signal an d visual/verbal distress signal;
j) The name, address and telephone number of the nearest medical facility will be included
in the Operations Plan.
It will be the responsibility of the supervisor in charge of the operation, his/her designee, or case
agent to contact the District Attorney’s Office if a case merits prior legal advice or poses unusual
circumstances, which may cause a need to consult with the legal advisors. This will be on an as
needed basis.
SP102.2.3 AFTER ACTION REPORT ING
At the request of the Special Operations Commander, the supe rvisor in charge of the operation
or his/her designee will complete an after action report. The report will, at minimum, contain the
following information:
a) The nature of the incident;
b) The outcome of the incident;
c) Any injuries, to law enforcement personnel or others, resulting from the operation;
d) Any property damage resulting from the incident;
e) Any lessons learned or training issues identified;
f) Identification of any necessary investigations, criminal or administrative, resulting from
the incident.
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW
1 01/24/2011 03/01/2019
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SP102 - Conducting Surveillance 3 SP102 .2.4 CONFIDENTIAL FUNDS
The Criminal Investigation Unit Sergeant is responsible for maintaining a Special Operations
Fund . This cash fund is maintained to pay for specialized investigative expenses incurred in
active investigations.
The Criminal Investigations Unit Sergeant is responsible for the disbursement and accounting of
each expenditure . See SOP SP 300 (Confidential Informant) for further guidelines and fund
disbursement.