Introduction to Human Sources

Human sources can hold the key to unsolved crimes. Information that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to obtain can be discovered by investigators who recruit and develop human sources. In order to realize the full potential of this investigative tool, investigators must become proficient at techniques for developing and maintaining strong, professional relationships with human sources.

Introduction to Human Sources introduces the process of contacting, assessing, handling, coding and remunerating human sources while adhering to case law and policy. In addition to examining processes and best practices associated with handling human sources with emphasis on confidential informants, this course reviews safety and security considerations associated with managing a human source. It also addresses administrative processes such as documenting meetings with confidential informants, making financial payments, recovering expenses, and ensuring supervisor involvement.

Learning Objectives

When you have completed this course you will be able to:

• Recognize the importance of developing and maintaining strong, professional relationships with human sources
• Recognize the safety and security considerations associated with managing a human source
• Identify the administrative processes associated with coding confidential informants, documenting meetings with confidential informants, making financial payments, recovering expenses, and ensuring supervisor involvement
• Identify how to deal with certain difficult situations
• Recognize how confidential information can lead to evidence
• Identify the policies that guide the professional and ethical management of human sources

Target Audience

Sworn Police

Content Provider

Content for this course has been provided by the RCMP National Human Trafficking Section.