SURVEILLANCE ,

INFORMANT & INFORMER

In the investigation of certain case, a point is reached when the

investigator sometimes finds it difficult to secure leads through
questioning of the complainant and witnesses. In such a situation , the
investigator has to go to the field to locate the criminal or, if he is
known , to study his habits , movement and possible accomplices in the
commission of the crime.
SURVEILLANCE -is defined as the discreet observation of persons, places and vehicles
for the purpose of obtaining information concerning the identities or activities of
criminals.
Surveillant - is the person who conducts the surveillance or performs the observation.
Subject- refers to a person or group or persons, place that is being observed by a
surveillant.

Objectives of Surveillance:
a.) To detect criminal activities.
b.) To discover the identity of persons who frequent the establishment and determine
their relationship.
c.) To discern the habits of a person who lives in or frequents the place.
d.) To obtain evidence of a crime or to prevent the commission of a crime.
Practical consideration for the conduct of surveillance;
1. Tactics
2. Planning
3. Preparation
4. Discontinuing the surveillance: (Note)
• COVERT AND OVERT SURVEILLANCE
COVERT SURVEILLANCE- is the type of surveillance , which is conducted to subject , who are unaware
that they are under surveillance.
OVERT SURVEILLANCE-is a surveillance conducted to subject who is aware that he is under
observation.
• FIXED AND MOVING SURVEILLANCE
Fixed surveillance is performed usually when surveillance is directed to a particular building or
premise. The surveillant is immovable in place while observing the subject.
Stakeout- Also called fixed surveillance . is a form of closed surveillance of a particular place where
criminal expected to appear.
Moving Surveillance-is performed by surveillant by foot or with the use of transportation vehicles in
observing the subject.
SHADOWING AND TAILING
Shadowing or Tailing - refers to the act of the
surveillant of following his subject to detect criminal
activities , to establish the association of subject , to
find a wanted person and many other purposes.
Shadow means to follow secretly , while Tailgaiting
is form of open surveillance in which the subject’s
vehicle is closely followed.
ROPING -is a kind of undercover work wherein
surveillant assumes different roles and identity in
order to obtain information.
Objectives of Shadowing and Tailing;
a. To detect evidence of criminal activities.
b. To establish the association of a suspect.
c. To find a wanted person.
d. To protect a witness.
THREE TYPES OF SHADOWING employed
depending upon the objective of the
surveillance.
a. Loose Tail
b. Rough Shadowing
c. Close Tail
Tactics- The subject should be kept
unaware that he is being shadowed . The
investigator should be inconspicuous. He
should not be detected looking directly
behind the subject .Both sides of the
street should be used. If the tail, he
should request immediate removal from
assignment.
TYPES OF SURVEILLANCE
1. STATIONARY /FIXED SURVEILLANCE- this refers to fixed position in observing a place or person.
2. MOBILE SURVEILLANCE-this refers to actually follow the subjects on foot or vehicles. This may be done close or
loose.
• Close Surveillance- the subject is kept under observation at all times.
• Loose Surveillance- the subject is watch part of the time or his activities are spot checked.
3. TAILING or SHADOWING - it is the act of following a person or persons.
Methods of Tailing;
a. One man Method-refers to a difficult to do because subject can be lost
b. Leapfrog Method-only one member of the team maintain contact with the subject . It is close tail with
the other member of the squad keeping contact with those immediately ahead of them.
c. Group Method- this methods refers to several men assigned as Group Tail
4. UNDERCOVER INSVESTIGATION or sometimes called “roping”- it is police operation wherein the investigator
assumes a fictitious identity in order to infiltrate the ranks of the criminals.
roping- refers to the surveillance of other things such as events , or activities.
5.CLANDESTINE ACTIVITIES- this refers to the concealment of intelligence activities under false identity.
6. UNDERCOVER ASSIGNMENT- an investigative technique in which the investigator conceal its true nature or
activity.
TYPES OF UNDER COVER ASSIGNMENT;
a. Dwelling- is one which the undercover
agent establishes residence in or near the
dwelling which houses the subject.
b. Work assignment - places the
undercover agent in a type of employment
where he can observe the activities of the
subjects.
c. Social Assignment- the undercover
agent assigned in two or more as stated
above assignment.
d. Multiple Assignment- the undercover
agent assigned in two or more as stated
above assignment.
e. Personal contact Assignment- also term
as Rope job . Agent is required to develop
friendship and trust with the TARGET.
THE METHODS OF FOOT SURVEILLANCE
1. One Man Shadow-It is conducted by one man alone
in shadowing a subject. The survellant should establish
the contacts of the subject, place visited , girlfriends and
confidants . In case the subject will use the telephone
booth , the shadower must feign a call at the available.
2. Two Man Shadow- this is easier for the surveillants to
fully cover the subject. The method allows the exchange
of the positions of the shadowers inorder to avoid
discover. One shadower will follow behind the subject
and the other may either be abreast or on the opposite
side of the street.Or following the first shadower.
3. Three - Man Shadower or ABC Technique of
Shadowing- The three shadowers are represented as A,
B and C. A is close to the subject and follows him at a
distance depending on the pedestrian traffic. B follows A
at the same distance of A to the subject. If vehicular
traffic is moderate, it may be opposite him on the other
side of the street. B and C turn in occupying the position
of A to prevent A from becoming familiar and noticeable
figure to the subject. Pre - arranged signals are
encouraged.
 QUALITIES OF A GOOD UNDERCOVER
AGENT
• Temperament- a calm, enduring and
affable personality. Self-control and
self -confidence are a few of his
qualities.
• Photographic Memory- he must have
a photographic memory because
most often, he could not use written
notes about his activities and
observations. He must also possess
keen power of observation and sound
judgment.
SPECIFIC TYPES OF UNDERCOVER
ASSIGNMENT
1. WORK ASSIGNMENT-If the agent is to be
employed as janitor, he must know his work
and as such he should appear as such,
focusing his mentality and habit to work
assignment. He must avoid language of
refinement in order that his educational
background will appear to that of a janitor.
2. SOCIAL ASSIGNMENT-these are places of
amusements, such as bars, night clubs and
other places of entertainment where the
subject frequents. Criminals throw a major
part of their loot to these places and he
must know the hostesses who are girlfriends
of the criminals. He must know how to drink
socially without getting drunk.
3. SUBVERSIVE ORGANIZATION - He must know the ideologies of the organizations in
order that he could suit his philosophies and actions while inside the said organization.
4. RESIDENTIAL ASSIGNMENT- This concerns the neighborhood of the suspect where
he will fit himself as a new resident without generating suspicion. His purpose is to be
friend to those who could give information and possibly getting closer to the subject.
5. THE FICTITIOUS PERSONALITY- The preparation should include the fictitious
background of the undercover agent. He must discard all papers and affects such as
identification cards , etc. and a new set be issued to him. The agent should memorize all
the details of his fictitious background.
Convoy- this refers to a countermeasure to detect whether or not a subject is under
surveillance.
Casing or Reconnaissance- it is the visual inspection of the area , installation or building
to determine its suitability for operational activity.
Information Desired in Casing
1. Area condition and habit- this refers to the discription of the locality as whether the place is
a residential , commercial , highly urbanized or rural. It includes also living condition ,
population and weathe condition.
2. Active Opposition- the task is to prevent intelligence activity that includes not only the
enemy but also the effort of neutral or allied countries to discover and observe our intelligence
actitivities.
3. Disposal Plan- this refers to the disposal of information to attain goals and objectives.
4. Escape and evasion- this refers to the exit planning in case of compromise or emergencies.
Cover Story- the logical fabrication use by individual to hide his identity , background and
activities.
Cover identity / personality- the process or procedure by which an individual conceals his true
identity and activities.
TYPES OF COVER
1. Natural Cover - using true or actual personal background to fit the purpose.
2. Artificial Cover-a cover using biographical data adopted for a fictitious purpose.
3. Cover within the cover- use of secondary cover in case of compromise which
necessitate the admission of lesser crime.
4. Multiple cover- this refers to any tactic to cover himself.

IMPORTANCE OF COVER
1. Secrecy of operation against enemy intelligence.
2. Secrecy of operation against unfriendly/enemy.
3. For tge succesful accoplishment of the mission
‘’Roping ‘’ or Undercover Work- It is a form of investigation in which the investigator
assumes a different and unofficial identity (a cover story) in order to obtain information.
The general objective of an undercover investigation is to obtain more information.
Arrest of undercover Agent-If an investigator is arrested by police , he must act in
accordance with his orders. If he has not received orders regarding the disclosure of his
identity in case of arrest by other law enforcement officers, he must act according to his
judgment. In such a case , if retaining his assumed character does not serve a useful
purpose , the investigator should refuse to make statement except to a member of his
own organization.
Informant-refers to a person who give information voluntary without any consideration
or reward. It is also defined one who relays confidential information to someone,
especially to the police.
TYPES OF INFORMANTS
1. Criminal informant- who gives information to the police pertaining to the organized crime
or underworld crime.
2. Confidential Informant- similar to the criminal informant but give information against the
law informing crimes and criminals
3. Voluntary Informant- who gives information freely and willfully as a witness to a certain
act. They are consideredas the best witness.
4. Special Informant-Who gives information on specialized cases, ex. teacher , clerk or those
who are in profession.
5. Anonymous Informant- they give information through telephone or cell phone for them
not to identify.
6. Incidental Informant- refers to a person selected or cultivated into a continous source of
information.
MOTIVES OF INFORMANTS
a. Vanity- the motive is for self-aggrandizement by gaining favorable attention and
importance by police.
b. Civic Midedness- those imbued with the sense of duty and obligation to assist the
police in their task.
c. Fear-It is the engendered illusion of oppression from enemies or from impending
dangers.
d. Repentance- those lesser criminals such as accomplices or accessories who will have
a change in heart to unburden their conscience.
INFORMER- refers to a person who gives information in consideration
Policies in the use of informants
and Informer:
1. Provide protection, do not let him
down.
2. Keep record , keep a safe file on each.
3. Remuneration , give what is due to
him.
4. Maintain regular contact.
Critical Areas in the Deployment of Informers
a. Within the ranks of criminals and criminal
syndicates.
b. Associates and friends of criminals
c. Places of hang-outs of criminals such as nights
clubs, bars , hotel , billiard halls and other places.
d. Slums and residential places where criminals have
their contacts.
e. Detention Center such as local jails and National
Bureau of Prinsons.
f. Places where criminals dispose their illegal
products.
General Rules to Follow in handling Informer:
1. Treat fairly- regardless of character , occupation or reduction.
2. Run the show- do not allow informant/informer to take over the investigation.
3. Be scruppulously exact- this is by the given promise.
4. Keep your promise- not only for finance but also for protection or any promise that might give.
5. Do not adopt informant standard - be yourself, always changing decision will result to the lost of
trust and confident of your informant or informer.
6. Avoid using informant in court- the success of investigation lies to the investigator himself.
7. Use of degoratory words-this should be avoided.
8. Conceal informant identity- this is must.
9. Accept all information- all information should be considered
10 . Maintain fairness.