WORKSHOP 2:

Undercover Operations & Tactics

​-Paul Paxton 

1.    Operations Plan:  The planning; students will learn the purpose of an operations plan, the information that should be on the plan, and the risk assessment of the mission. 

2.    Type of operation: surveillance, foot, mobile, electronic, buy bust, buy walk, legal description, meeting, intel gathering, suspect information, stash house, source, co-conspirators, etc.

3.    Known suspect(s) targets: All known information, criminal history, known addresses, co-conspirators, associates, vehicles, family, known hangouts, routines, and intel that can assist the investigation and ensure the safety of the team.

4.    Personnel:  students will identify the law enforcement personnel to be involved in the operation, including the roles and responsibilities of UC personnel, uniformed personnel, non-sworn personnel, including those involved in both the private and public sector, and legal personnel. 

5.    Operational Roles and Team Structure: 

•    UC roles:  primary contact, primary cover, CI, CS handler
•    Contact/Cover officer/investigator, UC cover role 
•    Case Agent/Supervisor: manages the overall investigation, maintains communication with the team and those involved in the investigation (example, arrest team, prosecutor, nonsworn, analyst, ------)
•    Team leader: surveillance leader, CS/CI handler 
•    UC cover team: role of team members, escort, immediate threat
•    Arrest Team: a team designated for takedown and arrest of the suspects deemed involved in the investigation.
•    Rescue Team: explain the role of the rescue team in both the UC and CS/CI operations.
•    Air support roles: documenting and recording the investigation’
•    Scribe: role of the scribe
•    Marked Unit: if available, the role of visible marked unit.
•    Non-sworn personnel: the role of use of non-sworn, security, analyst, tech, utility, animal control, school, transportation, etc……..

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6.    Surveillance and Equipment:
•    Surveillance communications, radio, phone, phone apps, hand and arm signals, vehicle signals, both visual and audio signals, types of surveillance, foot, mobile, static, aerial, digital, use of mail stop, commercial assistance notifications.
•    Surveillance equipment to be used: wire taps, T-III, air, camera, body wire, Callyo, 
•    Street camera, LPR,s Ring, commercial camera, web cameras, pole cameras, neighborhood watch, and any other source that may provide live coverage
•    Vehicles, to include marked, air, unmarked, public transportation, vessels, non-motorized, passes
•    Public park/National park, public places, private places 

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7.    Legal concerns: 4th Amendment, Evidence Code protections (California Evidence Code Sections 1040 through 1042), federal laws, and State and Local laws and ordinances that may apply. 

8.    Debriefing and Prosecution: Discuss the pros and cons; all team members involved should have a say, just like family.  Contact the prosecutor and keep them in the loop on any and all developments in the investigation.

9.    Case Agent/Supervisor: After-action report: arrest, intel, seizures, additional locations, new cases, injuries, ----

10.     Practical exercise.  Surveillance is a Perishable skill; practice when you can. 

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Biography:

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Detective Paul Paxton, San Diego Police Department / United States Drug Enforcement Administration Narcotic Task Force, Task Force Officer (Retired) California Narcotic Officer’s Association, Chairman Region IV.