Define Undercover Operations.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Undercover operations are an important part of the criminal investigation function but one that is highly specialized and not practiced by all law enforcement agencies. Investigators require specialized training to success-
fully perform this function. Typically, undercover work has been associated with drug enforcement, but it is a tool that can be useful in the investigation of a number of criminal activities.
Undercover work forces the officer to assume a different identity and, sometimes, a lifestyle that thrusts him or her into the criminal subculture, where he or she can be tempted to do things that would otherwise be immoral or even illegal (for example, using illegal drugs).
Any undercover operation is subject to claims of entrapment. Officers are permitted to do things that provide the opportunity for a suspect to commit a crime, but they may not induce someone to commit a crime. Because undercover operations generally may be initiated without prior judicial authorization, the results are subject to strict scrutiny by the courts.
Undercover operations require a number of decisions. Administrative discretion is exercised in determining what activities will be pursued, and operational discretion is exercised in determining who will be targeted for investigation. Because police do not have the resources to investigate every crime, they engage in selective enforcement, enforcing only particular types of violations or targeting specific types of offenders.