I just sent the following public information request to the City of Greensboro:
1. What are the Greensboro Police Department's Requirements for becoming a confidential informant? Please attach documents.
2. What is the GPD definition of a confidential informant? Again, documents if you have them.
3. Does the GPD definition of a Confidential informant comply with the definition of a confidential informant as published by the Office of the US Attorney General in Washington, DC. http://www.fas.org/irp/agency/doj/fbi/dojguidelines.pdf
4. As of July, 2012, did the Greensboro Police Department have any such rules for confidential informants? And if not? Why?
5 Who decides who is and who isn't a confidential informant? And by who's authority?
6. Is the City of Greensboro aware that according to [United States v. Warman, 578 F.3d 320 (6th Cir. Ohio 2009)] The identities of these individuals (confidential informants) are privileged in order to protect these individuals against retribution from those involved in crime.? And therefore the City of Greensboro can now be held liable for the release of the names of confidential informants to Yes! Weekly and others?
"A confidential informant is a person who provides information about criminal activity to law enforcement officers. The identities of these individuals are privileged in order to protect these individuals against retribution from those involved in crime. Statements made by a confidential informant are testimonial in nature, and therefore, may not be offered by the government to establish the guilt of an accused absent an opportunity for the accused to cross-examine the informant. However, evidence that is provided merely by way of background or is offered only to explain how certain events came to pass or why the officers took the actions they did, is not offered for the truth of the matter asserted. [United States v. Warman, 578 F.3d 320 (6th Cir. Ohio 2009)] "
7. How are we, as citizens, to know that the scenario as outlined at the following hypothetical link has not happened one or more times? How are we to know that records requests haven't become a commonly used tool in local criminals' tool boxes? http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2013/02/public-information-requests-bigger.html
In closing, please reply not only to me but to all the journalists and bloggers who received this e-mail so that all of us will share in this public information and please answer this request in a very timely manner as Greensboro City Councilwoman Marikay Abuzuaiter has received death threats as a result of releases from your department.
Thank you. -Billy Jones
1. What are the Greensboro Police Department's Requirements for becoming a confidential informant? Please attach documents.
2. What is the GPD definition of a confidential informant? Again, documents if you have them.
3. Does the GPD definition of a Confidential informant comply with the definition of a confidential informant as published by the Office of the US Attorney General in Washington, DC. http://www.fas.org/irp/agency/doj/fbi/dojguidelines.pdf
4. As of July, 2012, did the Greensboro Police Department have any such rules for confidential informants? And if not? Why?
5 Who decides who is and who isn't a confidential informant? And by who's authority?
6. Is the City of Greensboro aware that according to [United States v. Warman, 578 F.3d 320 (6th Cir. Ohio 2009)] The identities of these individuals (confidential informants) are privileged in order to protect these individuals against retribution from those involved in crime.? And therefore the City of Greensboro can now be held liable for the release of the names of confidential informants to Yes! Weekly and others?
"A confidential informant is a person who provides information about criminal activity to law enforcement officers. The identities of these individuals are privileged in order to protect these individuals against retribution from those involved in crime. Statements made by a confidential informant are testimonial in nature, and therefore, may not be offered by the government to establish the guilt of an accused absent an opportunity for the accused to cross-examine the informant. However, evidence that is provided merely by way of background or is offered only to explain how certain events came to pass or why the officers took the actions they did, is not offered for the truth of the matter asserted. [United States v. Warman, 578 F.3d 320 (6th Cir. Ohio 2009)] "
7. How are we, as citizens, to know that the scenario as outlined at the following hypothetical link has not happened one or more times? How are we to know that records requests haven't become a commonly used tool in local criminals' tool boxes? http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2013/02/public-information-requests-bigger.html
In closing, please reply not only to me but to all the journalists and bloggers who received this e-mail so that all of us will share in this public information and please answer this request in a very timely manner as Greensboro City Councilwoman Marikay Abuzuaiter has received death threats as a result of releases from your department.
Thank you. -Billy Jones
