PLANNING FACTORS, PREPARATION, AND PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS

When a surveillance is necessary, all available information on the subject should be compiled for the surveillant.

Before the surveillance of a place, a reconnaissance should be conducted to determine entrances and exits, vantage points, and the character of the area. Such information will help determine how many surveillants are necessary; if the surveillant will observe from a vantage point, the street, or a combination of the two; and how the surveillant should dress to blend in with the environment.

If the subject is a person unknown to the surveillant, the best method of identification is to have the subject pointed out to allow the surveillant to make a personal observation. The surveillant should also be briefed on any of the subject's known habits, contacts, or habitats, and be provided with a photograph and a detailed and accurate description of the subject. A photograph and detailed description of the subject's automobile should also be obtained.

The surveillant is selected for his or her skill, experience, and resourcefulness. Normally, the surveillant should be of average size and should not have any unusual physical characteristics. In addition, the type of surveillance and the area in which it is conducted are key factors in determining who can best accomplish a surveillance operation. Also, the surveillant must have a lot of patience so as not to seem apprehensive or become discouraged.

The surveillant's attire should be in harmony with the area in which the surveillance is to be conducted. Clothing (civilian or uniform) must blend with the environment so that if the subject sees the surveillant one or more times, it will not make a lasting impression or arouse suspicion.

Appearance should not stop at just the manner of dress. Rings or other jewelry indicating professional status or societies may have to be removed. Moreover, the surveillant must not reflect by appearance or habits that he or she is a law enforcement officer.

The surveillant should have as much knowledge of the investigation as possible to accurately interpret the actions of the subject. The surveillant should also know the elements of proof of various crimes to be able to know when the subject has gone far enough to warrant apprehension.

The suspect must be kept under observation until the offense is thoroughly completed except in those offenses which if completed would result in bodily harm to victims.

Continued surveillances, even after all the elements of a crime have been completed can be rewarding. The surveillant should not be too anxious to make an apprehension. Wait and observe.

Notes should be prepared by all parties to the surveillance of all actions they witness the subject(s) perform.

A surveillance plan is necessary to ensure that all contingencies that can be anticipated before a surveillance action are considered and resolved. It is necessary to coordinate the actions of two or more surveillant.

It is unnecessary for a surveillance plan to follow a formal outline, or to even be written. However, some plan should be formulated and each surveillant should become thoroughly knowledgeable in every aspect of the operation through presurveillance meetings or briefings.

The plan should specify the general concepts of operations and duties, cover stories for each surveillant, alternate courses of action and communications, and equipment to be used.

The surveillant may be required to use a cover story if confronted by the subject. The cover story should be substantiated by dress, speech, mannerisms, and logic. Individual surveillant resourcefulness is irreplaceable in a situation where the cover story has to be related. The surveillant should not offer any information to the subject since, in many instances, the information can be checked by the subject.

Planned, alternate courses of action allow the surveillant to react smoothly to contingencies, anticipated previously, as they occur, such as moving from a foot- to a vehicle-surveillance, or reacting to a convoy.

Communications enable a coordinated effort and, as in any other operation, can influence the success or failure of the mission. Radio contact is imperative in a vehicle surveillance and is used extensively in other surveillance methods. Prearranged signals, especially in a foot surveillance, are often the only means surveillants have of relaying messages. Telephone contact may also be used when appropriate, especially when its use harmonizes with techniques that mask the surveillant's actions.

There are no standard equipment requirements for a surveillance.

SURVEILLANT PRECAUTIONS

The surveillant is faced with two possibilities that could destroy weeks or months of preparation and work-that of being discovered and of losing the subject at a critical time. Even the most experienced investigator can be "burned" or "shaken." However, adequate planning and the use of trained personnel can assure continuity in surveillance of the subject.

The surveillant should avoid direct eye contact with the subject, preventing the subject from recalling the surveillant's face should eye-to-eye contact be required later. If obviously looking away from the subject would arouse suspicion, the surveillant should focus on a point beyond the subject, giving the impression of eye contact without actually establishing it.

Abrupt or unnatural movements can call attention to a surveillant. Many times a subject will test to see if he or she is being observed by rapidly changing course or by other means. The surveillant must react quickly but naturally to these movements by the subject. In some cases, it may be better to lose sight of the subject momentarily than to arouse suspicion.

The surveillant carries a sufficient amount of roomy, including change, to cover such contingencies as meals and telephone calls.

Barracks, theaters, dining facilities, and base transportation pose special problems to the surveillant. Generally, it is necessary to move closer to the subject when entering barracks and theaters to preclude the subject's leaving through one of the various exits. In dining facilities, the surveillant should enter the facility behind the subject and take a position to ensure constant observation of the subject.

The surveillant selects a meal that is quickly prepared. Should the subject depart before the surveillant is served, the surveillant should leave.

Inexperienced surveillant must overcome a tendency to believe that they have been discovered simply because the subject glances their way several times. Normally, when the subject knows he or she is being observed, it will become obvious. The subject will take actions to harass or lose the surveillant.

TYPES OF SURVEILLANCE

There are two general types of surveillance-mobile and fixed. A mobile surveillance is commonly known as tailing or shadowing. A fixed surveillance is often called a stakeout. A mobile surveillance can be conducted by foot, vehicle, or a combination of the two, depending on the subject's movement. A fixed surveillance is used when the subject is stationary or when all the essential information can be gathered in a single location. Even in a fixed surveillance, the surveillant may remain mobile, moving from one vantage point to another.