Tag Archives: undercover police officers

New software from ABM helps address undercover officer management

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An announcement today by ABM explains how our latest abmpegasus module addresses many of the issues highlighted by the HMIC in their recent report on the use of undercover techniques in UK policing. The new system, abmpegasus Undercover, provides various tools surrounding the authorisation, management and oversight of undercover assets to reduce the potential for mistakes to be made.

In the case of Mark Kennedy (the undercover officer involved in the case against environmental protesters at the Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station), there were various issues over the undercover officer’s management and subsequent disclosure of his involvement. abmpegasus Undercover includes functionality to prevent these issues. Go to www.abmsoftware.com/Products_abmpegasus_Undercover.html to read more.

Flaky procedures lead to flaking officers

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‘Flaking’, the corrupt practice of law enforcement officers planting drugs on people to justify their arrest, is the subject of a major court trial against eight NYPD undercover officers in the Brooklyn South Narcotics Squad.

The latest revelation, as reported by the Daily Mail, is that one of the accused officers gave cocaine to a woman in return for sexual favours.

The whole debacle highlights the need for improved management practices within undercover law enforcement. Tools, such as abmpegasus, already exist to help law enforcement improve management oversight of undercover operations and operatives. Failure to properly implement and enforce management practices can lead to the sort of abuses of power that are being uncovered in the Brooklyn South trial.

If law enforcement agencies want to maintain the trust of citizens, they must carefully consider their undercover management policies and procedures and ensure that they are vigorously implemented and adhered to.

An unreliable informant could cost you $4.9m

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The Mayor of Atlanta has offered a $4.9 million settlement to the family of Kathryn Johnston according to the Atlanta Journal.  92-year-old Johnston was killed in 2006 by Atlanta Police after an informant said he had purchased drugs from her home. When undercover police officers knocked down her door she reached fired a shot from a gun leading the police to shoot and kill her. It was later revealed that the informant had lied, no drugs were found at Johnston’s house and the undercover officers had planted drugs on Johnston to cover up their mistake.

Not only has this tragic case cost the city $4.9m in settlement money, but it led to several police officers being sentenced and has severely impacted public confidence in law enforcement.