What is the FBI's policy on using informants?
The interviewer asks this question to see that you have reviewed the FBI's website to learn all you can about the bureau. Under the About/Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page, you will find the FBI's policy on the use of informants, outlined here: 'The courts have recognized that the government's use of informants is lawful and often essential to the effectiveness of properly authorized law enforcement investigations.'
However, there is an element of deception and intrusion into an individual's privacy, so great care is taken to carefully evaluate and supervise the use of informants, so the rights of individuals under investigation are not violated.
You can find more information on the website regarding the FBI's policy on using informants. However, you should focus your answer on the fact that courts find the use of informants lawful and essential to law enforcement investigations while closely monitoring their use to not infringe on the rights of the individuals being investigated.
Avoid being unprepared to answer this question. Before any interview, you should research the organization for which you have applied and be able to answer any question that the interviewer asks. The Frequently Asked Questions page on the FBI website offers valuable information, and you can guarantee that the interviewer will ask questions from that page in your interview.
Remember to review and memorize the FBI's policy on the use of informants and any other questions on the Frequently Asked Questions page before your interview. When the interviewer asks you a question about the FBI or their policies, you should answer without hesitation.
"The FBI can lawfully use informants during active investigations, and is often essential. However, since the rights of the individual being investigated can be violated when using informants, special care is taken, according to the FBI's policy, to evaluate carefully and closely supervise the informants, to keep the suspect's rights from being infringed upon."
"As detailed in the frequently asked questions on the FBI's website, the courts have recognized that the government's use of informants is lawful and often essential to the effectiveness of properly authorized law enforcement investigations. However, use of informants to assist in the investigation of criminal activity may involve an element of deception, intrusion into the privacy of individuals, or cooperation with persons whose reliability and motivation may be open to question. Although it is legally permissible for the FBI to use informants in its investigations, special care is taken to evaluate and closely supervise their use, so the rights of individuals under investigation are not infringed. The FBI can only use informants consistent with specific guidelines issued by the attorney general that control the use of informants."
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