Some Ethical Dilemmas in the Handling of Police Informers

Decision-making by police officers often involves complex problems and this is particularly so in the recruitment and management of informers—and area of policing generally shrouded in mystery and secrecy. Drawing on research conducted in two police force areas, this article identifies and discusses some of the concerns of officers involved in this activity and concludes they are ill-prepared to deal with the ethical dilemmas they are confronted with.