The value of Covert Human Intelligence Sources: using practitioner perspectives to develop a template for data collection in order to measure the value of Covert Human Intelligence Source information in low policing

The use of CHISs in the UK has had a chequered and controversial history. What little research exists, in the main, concentrates upon the ethical dilemmas associated with what is by its very nature a secret world of professional activity. Because of the inherent sensitivities involved and the need to protect sources, little research exists on how to measure the effectiveness and value of a CHIS. This is an area that professionals themselves see as an important consideration beyond subjective views of effectiveness. Little was researched due to a lack of access to police data. Three research questions were identified: (1) What are practitioner views on the value of CHISs and how it can be measured? (2) What are practitioner views on the nature and development of a template for measurement? (3) Using the template, how can the value of CHIS be measured? This research employed a Human Source Management (HSM) framework focusing on the enhancement of professional practice in CHIS
management (Crous, 2009). Using a post-positivist perspective, data was gathered using a consequential mixed methods approach. This approach consisted of three stages. The first stage used semi-structured interviews to gain the views and experiences of practitioners relating to CHIS handling,and what they felt were the best ways to measure value. The second stage involved thematic analysis of the data from stage one and the design of a template for the collection of data identified by practitioners as important to any measurement. Practitioners were reengaged to provide feedback on the template prior to use. The third and final stage focused on utilising the improved template to gather the data on 30 CHISs, and to calculate an overall effectiveness score for each CHIS in relation to a) individual meetings and b) over a three-month period. The findings suggest that there is potential for an objective and useful operational assessment of the value of CHISs, that is nuanced to the control strategy and crime harm rate of different geographical locations. This could be a useful tool, particularly for Authorising Officers distanced from CHIS contacts who rely upon subjective opinion of handlers as to value. The thesis concludes with recommendations for further research.