Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy (NVCJA) Practice Exam

What is crucial for an officer to do when engaging with an informant?

1. Assess trustworthiness

2. Use a recording device

3. Offer monetary rewards

4. Create a report

The correct answer is: Assess trustworthiness

Assessing the trustworthiness of an informant is crucial for an officer engaging with them because the reliability of the information provided is foundational to the integrity of any investigation. An informant, regardless of their background or motives, may have varying degrees of credibility. By conducting a thorough assessment of their trustworthiness, the officer can determine whether to proceed with the information, how to corroborate it, and how much weight to give it in the context of their operational decisions. This process typically involves evaluating the informant's past reliability, motives for providing information, and the consistency of their statements. Gathering this insight helps prevent the potential risks associated with acting on false or misleading information, which could derail an investigation or result in legal issues. In contrast, while using a recording device, offering monetary rewards, and creating a report are also important aspects of handling informants, they do not hold the same foundational importance as assessing trustworthiness. Without establishing reliability, the effectiveness of these other actions may be significantly diminished.