Informant agreements should be...

Informant agreements should be...

• A. Informant agreements should be informal and unwritten
• B. Informant agreements should be well documented
• C. Informant agreements should be kept secret from supervisors
• D. Informant agreements should be shared with the informant's family

Answer: (B)

Well-documented informant agreements are essential because they create a clear, written record of the terms, expectations, and protections involved. A formal agreement outlines the informant’s role, what information or leads will be sought, any compensation or incentives, duration, and safety or handling procedures. It also specifies confidentiality limits and the supervision and review framework, ensuring the arrangement complies with laws, department policy, and ethical standards. This documentation protects both the informant and the agency by providing accountability, reducing the risk of coercion or misinterpretation, and creating a verifiable trail of what was agreed and when. Informant agreements should not be informal or unwritten, should not be kept secret from supervisors, and should not be shared with the informant’s family, because doing so undermines oversight, confidentiality, and safety.

Well-documented informant agreements are essential because they create a clear, written record of the terms, expectations, and protections involved. A formal agreement outlines the informant’s role, what information or leads will be sought, any compensation or incentives, duration, and safety or handling procedures. It also specifies confidentiality limits and the supervision and review framework, ensuring the arrangement complies with laws, department policy, and ethical standards. This documentation protects both the informant and the agency by providing accountability, reducing the risk of coercion or misinterpretation, and creating a verifiable trail of what was agreed and when. Informant agreements should not be informal or unwritten, should not be kept secret from supervisors, and should not be shared with the informant’s family, because doing so undermines oversight, confidentiality, and safety.