Pre-Operational Meeting Checklist

TREASURY INSPECTOR GENERAL

FOR TAX ADMINISTRATION

DATE: April 1, 2015

Exhibit (400)-180.1

Pre-Operational Meeting Checklist

Date:

Case Name:

Case Number:

Operation Name:

Special Agent-in-Charge

Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge:

Case Agent:

Undercover Agent:

Undercover Agent’s Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge:

Control Agent:

Division Technical Agent:

National Undercover Program Manager:

Review the following topics:

( )Case history/background

( )Source of the information; is information fresh/reliable?

( )Use of CSs; will CS introduce a UCA and/or make buys?

( )Objectives

( )Primary violation(s)

( )Other potential or expected violations

( )AUSA criteria for prosecution/AUSA meetings with UCA

( )UCA goals (short, medium, long range)

( )Cover story/backstopping: complete, items needed, verified

( )Target identification: photos, criminal record/violence history, residence, vehicle descriptions, associates, hobbies, habits, etc.

( )Technical considerations and surveillance (video/audio/hardwires)

( )Firearm: when/where to carry, revolver vs. automatic, accessibility, familiarity and qualification with firearm

( )Emergency measures/safety: arrests by police, family difficulties, injuries, first aid, special equipment needs

( )Acceptable expenses and accounting

( )Communication: 2-way, 24 hour, 7-day, cellular phones, safe house

( )Administrative and investigative reports: extensions, 1820s, 1012s, 1164s, receipts, memoranda of contact, who will prepare them

( )Evidence handling and chain of evidence

( )Criteria for terminating operation

Remarks: (Also note unresolved problems. Use additional sheets as required.)

The case agent and control agent should:

Have a current photo of the UCA, which looks the way he/she does during the operation.
Debrief UCA and account for expenditures, daily.
Discuss allowable expenses, e.g., personal expenses, phone calls, club memberships (health, video, etc.), clothing, etc.
Know of promotion/vacancy announcements in UCA’s division.
Know location of nearest hospital/medical facility.
Have extra keys to UCA’s apartment, car.
Sanitize UCA, apartment, and car for law enforcement items such as handcuff keys, credentials, business cards, insignia items.
Spend social time (nights/weekends) with UCA to minimize stress and bonding with target(s); reinforce role as an LEO.
Know UCA’s itinerary during days, nights, weekends.
Consider auto/personal insurance for UCA.
Ask UCA if he/she has medical alerts and/or severe allergies
Know signs of stress and how to help; ask UCA how he/she feels.
Identify UCA needs at home (bills, water plants, maintain lawn, etc.) and discuss w/donating division.
Realistically assess danger (consider target, associates, locale) and discuss with UCA.
Discuss trips home for UCA (frequency, duration, and leave).

The case agent, control agent, and assisting SAs should:

Know first aid for gunshot/knife wounds, shock.
Consider emergency devices (battering rams, emergency transmitters).
Know UCA’s emergency words/phrases (nothing common); discuss how to make entry if transmitter fails (meter reader, telephone/power company repair, delivery, forced entry).
Have a local telephone book for police, hospitals, etc.

The UCA should:

Have advance contact with AUSA to discuss permissible behavior, legal aspects, appropriateness of solicitation, etc.
Annotate with explanation when recordings are not made with targets as well as those that are. This will show the jury that not recording is documented.
Wear tech equipment before the assignment to get accustomed to the feel and judge clothing needs.
Recognize stress signs and know stress reduction techniques.

Other areas discussed:

Operations ManualChapter 400