"Question: Regarding the use of "Confidential Informants", C.I.'s, which are called commonly called snitches. I would like to know how the police can justify the way they use and sometimes abuse these people. It happens here in Brattleboro as it does elsewhere, that often when a local person is arrested for something, the arresting cop will ask the person if they know of any drug dealers and if they would be willing to be used as bait to get that dealer to sell to them in order for the police to 'sting' the dealer. This is in exchange for a promised release or a lesser charge against the C.I. for what they were caught doing. However, some snitches end up doing this repeatedly as ongoing C.I.'s, and meanwhile the police look the other way and allow the C.I. to get away with some continued drug use.
I know of one person who is known to be a C. I. and still uses drugs. This person is said to have 'burned' a dealer (not paid for drugs received) at least once and apparently feels they can get away with that due to being sided with the police. Of course, it's not like the dealer can complain about it to authorities about the rip-off. What if the C.I. suffers retaliation for snitching? ("snitches get stitches" as the saying goes). I'm sure if the person were hurt or killed, that the police would not readily fess up to the fact that they were using the victim as a C.I. now would they? How could the police sleep at night knowing that they helped set the C.I. up for such a retaliation by taking advantage of them to such a point?"
The Brattleboro Police Department has a set system for the utilization of confidential witnesses. This system involves the evaluation of a potential informant to determine a balance of what is best for the department, the public, and the potential CI. Then there is detailed record keeping of CI activities and police contacts with CI’s. The paper trail generated by the use of an informant is often much more extensive than a case that does not have one.
Other organizations independent of the police department are involved in the use of informants. The use of informants is often authorized by the Office of the State’s Attorney (prosecutor) and sometimes involves defense attorney’s who represent the interests of the potential informant.
While the police certainly do not disclose the activities of CI’s to just anyone who asks, they do when compelled to by subpoena or other court process. The assertion that we would not readily “fess up” to having worked with someone as a witness is not likely based in fact. In fact, the questioner above even presents it as a hypothetical situation and not something that actually occurred.
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