STA OF THE URCE PROTECTION OF THE MAINE WARDEN AND .32ng: AND GUIDMQ FOR QONDUQIINQ COVERT ?y 0F VIOLA IIONS OF MES INLAND AND WILDLIFE QWS PREFACE AND MISSION STATEMENT prosecute those who interniomlly violate Maine?s Inland Fish all! Wildlife laws and regulatiOns. However, intentional ?sh and wildlife law violators are often very knowledgeable of ?sh and wildlife law enforcement techniqu- In many instances, special law enforcement groups who, usually due to their caution, skill at avoiding apprehension and criminal intent, cannot be apprehended by uniformed ?eld personnel. In Maine, an! nationwide, covert and unlercover investigation techniques have been proven to be the most effective methods used to apprehend serious. intentional ?sh and wildlife violators who repeatedly abuse, and subsequently threaten the abundance and well being ofthe ?sh and wildlife resources ofthis state and nation. it shall be the mission oftlh?: RESOURCE PROTECTION UNIT ofthe Main: Warden Service to conduct the organized covert and undercover investigative effort of the Maine Warden Service, in an attempt to apprehetxl and prosecute the aforementioned serious. intentional, ?sh and wildlife law violators and ultimately protect Maine?s precious ?sh and wildlife resources. conducted in compliance with policies and guidelines set forth, herein. A.D.A. Assistant District Attorney AG. - Attorney General Basic Covert Qperations Trainng (BCOT) the minimum training required prior to an of?cer of the Maine Warden Service conducting covert operations and undercover investigations. This training shall be of duration and content approved by the Game Warden Major. RESOURCE PROTECTION UNIT COVERT OPERATIONS POLICY Exceptions to BCOT: Any of?cer who falls into one of the exception categories below shall be waived from BCOT and may participate in covert ops/undercover investigations without BCOT. 1. Any of?cer who attended a course on Basic Undercover Operations given by Game Warden Investigator Glen Perkins (retired) of the Maine Warden Service 2. Any officer who has attended the United States Fish and Wildlife Service?s Covert Wiidlife Investigations Training Course 3. Any of?cer who has attended Covert Wildlife Investigations training given by any State Fish and Wildlife agency that has been approved by the Game Warden Major 4. Any of?cer who has received any training and experience deemed by the Game Warden Major as being adequate (Example: Of?cer from another State on "loan" to the Maine Warden Service to assist with undercover investigations.) Case Agen either the Covert Operations Coordinator or the person designated by some to set as coordinator of reports, evidence, interviews, prosecution and manager of a covert/undercover operation. Usually a Game Warden Investigator will be assigned be the Case Agent. Case On Dug Officer [Case OD1 the of?cer assigned to be available 24 hours a day to respond to an undercover operative?s request for emergency assistance doting a covert operation. - the location where the overall supervisor and organizational and communication center for the takedowo of a covert operation is located. Covert - undercover or comm ?sh and wildlife investigatiom being conducted or planned by the Resource Protection Unit. Also known as Covert Ops. and Undercover Investigations. govert st. - the same as Covert Operations and Undercover Investigations. See Covert Operations. covert Qperations Coordinates - the person designated to act as the Covert Operations Coordinator. The duties and responsibilities of the Covert Operations Coordinator are set forth hereunder. DA. - District Attorney mamnem - means the Department of Inland Fish and Wildlife (or (2) RESOURCE PROTECTION UNIT COVERT OPERATIONS POLICY Entrapmcn Entrapment is de?ned as the acts of the officers/operatives of the Maine Warden Service in inducting a person to commit a crime not contemplated by him in order to initiate a criminal investigation. Inducement may consist of, but is not limited to: a. appeals to sympathy b. playing on the emotions of the target c. overzealous persuasion d. severe pressure, coercion and threats Maine Warden Service undercover officers may afford the target the my to commit a crime. This is not entrapment. They may devise a scheme to reveal criminal activity without entrapping the target. It is only when the criminal idea and design originates with the Maine Warden Service of?cer, who then induces an otherwise completely innocent person to become involved, that entrapment arises. For additional definition and information on Entrapment, see Appendix We - an officer who is involved as an undercover agent in covert Operations of the Resource Protection Unit. Prior to becoming an Operative, an officer must complete the Resource Protection Unit?s Basic Covert Operations Training. Predispositign - see Appendix Resource Protection Um't - the unit of wildlife law enforcement personnel formally assigned to conduct the covert and undercover investigations of violations and su5pected violations of Maine's Inland Fish and Wildlife laws. EU abbreviation for the Resource Protection Unit. ?pecial Agent (01' - Special Agent (or SA) shall refer to a Special Agent of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Takedown - is the final, physical andlor actual culmination of an investigation conducted by the Resource Protection Unit to include (but not limited to): execution of search and arrest warrants; final collection, documenting and preservation of evidence; interviews of suspects, witnesses and informants and all other functions required to conclude an investigation. Target the person, persons or group of persons whom are the subject of an investigation being conduCted by the Resource Protection Unit. Undercmer Investigatimis - the same as Covert Operations and Gwen Ops. See Covert Operations. (3) RESOURCE PROTECTION UNIT COVERT OPERATIONS POLICY Unit means the Resource Protection Unit. USFWS - the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. 1. NAME The of?cial name of the unit of personnel assigned to said covert and undercover investigations shall be the RESOURCE PROTECTION hereinafter referred to as "the unit. Em undercover?sh and wildlife investigations in an organized, safe, lawful and e?icient manner. AUTHO A. Game WM Major - shall approve all covert and undercover operations of the unit. The Major shall designate one person to act as Covert Operan'ons Coordinator. The Major shall determine funding and expendiunes regarding the unit's operations. The Major shall have ?nal anthorityregardingall aspectsofthe operationoftbeunit. TheMajor may, at any time, terminate a covert operation for cause. The Major may, at any limo, remove an of?cer from the unit for cause. B. CovenM' Covert Operations Coordinator. 1. Responsibilities - the of the Covert Ops. Coordinate shall include, but are not limited to the following: a. ensure that all members of the unit have obtained legitimate undercover credentials; b. ensure tint there is a ?Case available for each operative member ofthe unit at all times during covert ops.; trainingasdetermined bytheMajor; (1. monitor the of operatives and locations of operatives and investigations being conducted by the unit, to the best of his ability; 3. ensure that operatives are debriefed after each assignment; (4) RESOURCE PROTECTION UNIT COVERT OPERATIONS POLICY f. coordinate covert Operation proposals and determine, with the Major, which proposals shall be investigated using covert ops.; g. h. ofthepolicyandguidelines for conducting covert 0133.; has readandunderstands them; i. monitors the well being of operatives and members of the unit to detect problems associated with covert 0115., to the best of his ability; j. receives, assesses and evaluates all covert ops. proposals from the ?eld, statewide; It. keeps up to date regarding law court decisions which relate to undercover and covert inVestigations; l. schedulesmeetingsandmeets withothermernhers oftheunit regardingunitactivitiesasoften asdeemednecessary; safe and ef?cient operation of the unit. n. times ofthesmmsofimpommdevelopments in covert operations and undercover investigations; and other matters of the Resource Protection Unit (RPU). C. shall supervise and coordinate the overall mkedown effort ofan undercover investigation when the takedown operation and/or other related activities occurs in his Division of and in other Divisions as directed by the Game Warden Major. D. QM Warden Scrgennt shall he the ?eld supervisor responsible for overseeing and coordinating the taleedown operation and other activities to which he has been assigned. E. Game Warden Investigator shall superviselcoordinate, etc. those of the unit as determined by this policy; the and/or Covert Ops. Coordinator and/or the Game Warden Major. F. - operatives may include District Game Wardens, Sgts. and LE. also including Game Warden Investigators and the Covert Ops. Coordinator. Operatives will be supervised by the Covert Ops- Coordinator or his designee. Operatives are the investigators who conduct and carry out actual covert contacts and operations. (5) RESOURCE PROTECTION UNIT COVERT OPERATIONS POLICY IV. mzu?l? FOR COVERT OPERATIONS AND MIMIIQE QF INVESTIGATIONS A. Collection of information mm covert ggmtions - to provide for the uniform collection of information and requests for covert operations, all information regarding possible covert operations and acorn] requests for covert ops. will be forwarded to, and organized by the CovertOps. Coordinator. with access limited to those authorized only by the Game Warden Major and/or the Covert Ops. Coordimtor and/or their designees. 1. Methods of oo?ectim; - materials, information, etc. that is forwarded to the Covert Ops. Coordimmr may be obtained from any lawful some. When members of the Maine Warden Service provide such information, when possible such information should be provided on a Maine Warden Service Intelligence Report (see Appendix 1). When information is not provided on an linelligence Report Form by a Game Warden or other strum, the Covert Ops. Coordinator shall record the pertinent information on said Intelligence Report form. 2. Methods of collection: Coven ngntion [3mm Covert Ops. requests from members of the Maine Warden Service should be forwarded on Maine Warden Service Request for Investigative Assistance form (see Appendix 2). Requests not recorded on Request for Investigative Assistance form shall be documented on said form at ?rst opportunity. 3. Dissemination of Inf - When the Covert Ops. Coordinator receives a Covert Operation request he slumld notify the Division Investigator assigmd to the geographic region that the information/request The Covert Ops. Coordinator for reasonable grounds may chose not to make web a noti?cation, however, this shall not he dune arbin-arily. B. Requests for Covert Operations - the Covert Ops. Coordinator will initially evaluate all information and requests regarding covert ops. and make a preliminary evaluation of the informationlrequest. 1. mtg-oncearequest an covert operation. the Covert Ops. Coordinator shall ?rst make a detennination that the target the subject is predisposed as thetenn isusetl in: 1) current case law; 2) Black?s law Diction_ag_ and 3) the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Training Manual on ENTRAPMENT (see {Appealix 'l?hisl?redistmition ismeant todetermine, i?cally it?thetarget IS predisposed to commit ?sh one; Wildlife lotions. The predisposition determination/investigation may he completed by any investigator assi to do so. However, the responsibility oftheCovert Ops. Coordinatorto enmthatthisrequiremem has been met prior to further consideration of a covert operation. This determination be made utilizing information provided in the request itself or by other investigation conducted by or requested by the Covert Ops. Coordinator. (5) RESOURCE PROTECTION UNIT COVERT OPERATIONS POLICY 2. Priming? 'on Ortega? - the Covert Ops. Coordinator shall categorize all information! requests into the following four categories: Category A HIGH mom Category - MID-LEVEL PRIORITY Category PRIORITY Category - msxonmcm targeth is currently engaging inactivities imludhig butnotlimited to: 1. Illegal buying and/or selling wildlife, especially deer, bear and moose and endangered species; 2. 3. Illegal taking of ?sh and wildlife in extreme excesses of the daily/season ere. limit; 4. Continuous time; 5. Illegal buying or selling ?sh, especially trout and salmon; 6. promi??rm). b. B. PRIORITY - Mid-Level cases are those cases that have identi?ed includingbutnotlimitedto: l. Exceeding the limits on ?sh and wildlife in a non-commercial capacity; 2. Occasionally engages in serious ?sh andwildlife violations landoes not give an indication 3. lawsthatmaynot. creamsamajor 4. Any other illegal ?sh and wildlife activity determined by the Major and/0r Covert Ops. ?sh/wildlife being abused, but might create an emergency threat if allowed to continue over time. (7) RESOURCE PROTECTION UNIT COVERT OPERATIONS POLICY other Title 12, Chapm 701-721 violations but pose no signi?cant immediate threat to any d. D. 7 insigni?cant Cases are those cases that: 1) comain so little information Mmreammbleassemmayhemadeof?ae activity; 2) itisquestiomhlewhe?xrornot a violation has actually occurred or; 3) the activity, although possibly a violation of ?sh and wildlife law, is not an appropriate activity to investigate using the undercover technique. SHOULD BE NOTED INFORMA AND CO T10 TS MAY CMGE PRIOEIX CATEGORIES AT ANY TIME, as INFO TION BECOMES AVAILABLE ANDIOR OTHER STANCES E. C. Decision Conduct Cov 'onIUndereover nvesti ation' Ass' ?ve toCase' tPacketand 'No' not ion tor. 1. Decision to Investigate Once the determination has been made that the covert Operation requests has met the requirements of Predisposition and has been categorized into a category appropriate for the Resource PrOtection Unit?s current man-power and funding, the Major and/ or Covert Ops. Coordinator shall decide on whether or not to conduct an undercover investigation. 2. Assiment of Investigation t9 Qperative - After the decision to investigate by Covert Operation has been made, the Game Warden Major and/0r Covert Ops. Coordinator shall assign an operative(s) to the case. 3. Assignment Packet and Briefing The Covert Ops. Coordinator and/or his designee shall provide the Operative assigned to the case with a complete brie?ng and/or packet which will provide all information moessary for the operative to initiate contact with the target and ensure that the operative is properly equipped to conduct the mission. This packet/brie?ng shall include. but is not limith to: necessary funds for the investigation; directions. maps. etc.; necessary licenses and other misc. identification; adequate undercover transportation; a comprehensive description of the target, associates, suspected violations; a clear indication of potential dangers including behavioral, narcotics, weapons, alcohol, etc.; any other information necessary to conduct a safe, successful undercover operation. 4. ?gtification of Division Investisator - except when determined otherwise by the Major and/or Covert Ops. Coordinator, the Division Game Warden Investigator shall be notified that an undercover investigation has been/is about to be initiated in the Division to which he is assigned. The Major and/or Covert Ops. Coordinator for any valid reason may decide not to notify the Division investigator. However. the decision not to notify the Division Investigator shall not be made arbitrarily. (3) RESOURCE PROTECTION UNIT COVERT OPERATIONS POLICY 5. Noti?cation of Division? lieutenant - it several potential covert operations/ undercover investigations have been proposed within a particular Division. the Game Warden Major and/or the Covert Operations Coordinator may request the Division Game Warden Lieutenant to review the list of covert operation preposals for the purpose of providing input and comment on the list of potential covert operations in regard to priority or other issues. V. OPERATIONS: UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATIONS TI 1. Operative - only those officers who have berm determined by the Game Warden Major to meet the minimum requirements (BCOT or Waiver) for being an undercover of?cer and are going to be, or have been of?cially assigned to the RPU by the Game Warden Major may participate in. and/or conduct covert operations to apprehend fish and wildlife law violators in Maine. 2. Covert Ops. Coordinator to Remain Informed the Covert Ops. Coordinator shall be informed by the Operative at reasonable intervals of the current status of covert operations that he/she is involved in. The Covert Ops. Coordinator shall, in tum. keep the Major apprised as to the same. 3. 9f Cgvert Qpergtign the Major and/0r the Covert Ops. Coordinator andlor the Operatives assigned to a case shall have joint decision making authority regarding when to conclude a covert operation. nc Term' ion of ert ratio - The Operative may for personal safety and other emergency reasons, terminate a covert operation at any time. If such a termination is made. the Operative will notify the Covert Ops. Coordinator and/or the Major immediately. See also Security of Operative (Section VI.) 5. Consultation with Counsel - during the course of a covert operation when appropriate and deemed necessary by the Major andfor Covert Ops. Coordinator, the RPU shall consult with legal counsel regarding covert ops. a. Sp_eci?c case consultation when legal counsel is required and/or deemed necessary regarding a specific case, the District Attorney?s Office that will be ultimately responsible for prosecuting the case shall be consulted. 1). General legal procedure - when legal counsel is required andfor deemed necessary regarding general law enforcement procedures the Attorney General?s Office and/or the appropriate District Attomey?s Office shall be consulted. (9) RESOURCE PROTECTION UNIT COVERT OPERATIONS POLICY 6. Criminal Conduct by QMmtive a. Fish and Wildlife Violations by Maine Game Wardg Operatives: pursuant to M.R.S.A. 12, Section 7053 (G) Maine Game Wardens may do anything otherwise prohibited by MRSA 12, Chs. 701-721, if necessary to carry out their duties and powers. (see Appendix b. Fish and Wildl? 'e Violations by non Maine Warden Servige Omratives: Pursuant to MRSA 12, Section 7055 certain other of?cers of the State of Maine and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service are also covered by MRSA 12, 7053 (G). (see Appendix c. Fish and Wildlife Violations by other of?cer operatives not in MBSA 12, 795316) and 7055- if an of?cer not listed under MRSA 12, 7053((3) and/or 7055 acts as an operative in Maine in a Maine Warden Service Coven Operation, there shall be a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) drafted by authorized parties to ensure mat the operative will not be criminally liable for violations of MRSA 12, Chps. 701?721. d. Other misdemeanors by all ogratives: except in situations involving a very serious threat of death and/or serious bodily harm to the Operative or other reasonable emergency or extenuating circumstances, all of?cer operatives shall be prohibited from violating any other criminal misdemeanor of the State or Federal statutes. All violations referred to in this paragraph shall be reported to the Covert Ops. Coordinator at the operatives first possible opportunity. e. Felooy Crimes: No officer operative shall commit a felony. 7. jle Use of Illegal Drugst Narcotics - all operatives shall refrain from the use of illegal drugs and/or narcotics. However, it has been well documented that there have been times in the past when operatives engaging in all forms of covert operations have been directed to use otherwise illegal narcotics andior drugs by suspects and criminals to "prove" that the Operative is nor an undercover agent. Nevertheless, Maine Warden Service covert operatives shall make all reasonable attempts to refrain from the use of illegal drugs and narcotics, unless the operative feels that it is absolutely necessary to utilize such materials to protect his/her personal safety after being placed in a jeepordizing situation during a covert operation. a. Exposure - when an operative is exposed in any way to illegal dmgs/narcotics, during the course of a covert operation, the operative shall upon return: a(l) Immediately notify the Covert Ops. Coordinator who shall in turn notify the Major as to the extent and details surrounding the exposure. If deemed necessary, the District Attomey shall be noti?ed by the Covert Ops. Coordinator. a(2) Write a written report regarding the details and circumstances surrounding the incident and forward the report to the Covert Ops. Coordinator. (10) RESOURCE PROTECTION UNIT COVERT OPERATIONS POLICY :10) File a First Report of Injury Form (see Appendix 8. Fundi - the Game Warden MajOr shall be responsible for determining the amount and frequency which funds/monies are expended for undercover investigations. The ?nancial records of the RPU shall be maintained by the Major and/or his designee. These records shall be kept in a secured file at a location determined by the Major. These records shall be con?dential and access to said records shall be limited to those authorized by the Game Warden Major. a. Operative ?xpegdi?es operatives will be provided by funds as needed by the Covert Ops. Coordinator and/or the Major. Operatives will keep accurate records of these funds utilizing a Covert Operations Expense Voucher (see Appendix Reference to the speci?c case on these vouchers will be with the code number assigned to the case by the Major and/or Covert Ops. Coordinator. 21(1) est 'c an Ex itures - prior to disclosing any records of expenditures of covert operations made by any operative of the RPU, authorization shall be obtained from the Major and! or the Covert Ops. Coordinator. 9. Debriefutg After Coven Contact at the ?rst possible opportunity after each covert contact, the operative will notify the Covert Ops. Coordinator or a Game Warden Investigator designated by the Covert Ops. Coordinator, to inform same that he/she (operative) has safely returned from the operation and to give a detailed briet'ntg of the mission. The Covert Ops. Coordinator or his designee shall document the debrie?ng by notes or tape recorder. 10. Eyidepgg ngined During Covert Contact all evidence gathered during the actual covert contact shall be labeled, tagged, photographed and stored in a secure evidence storage facility. All such evidence shall be logged in the operatives case report and on a Maine Warden Service InchIigatiOn Evidence Log when more than six (6) items of evidence have been obtained (see Appendix For additional information, refer to section on Evidence. 11. - gifts given to the operative during his/her role as an undercover agent that are of monetary value in excess of ten (10) dollars shall be documented, turned into the evidence storage facility designated for the case and held by the Warden Service until the case is disposed of. At the time the case is disposed of, the Covert Ops. Coordinator shall make arrangements to legally dispose of said gifts. 12. Security During Covert Operations Information regarding the details, or even the existence of Covert Operations will be on an $59131; need to know basis only. This assessment will be made by the Major and/or the Covert Ops. Coordinator. (11) RESOURCE PROTECTION UNIT COVERT OPERATIONS POLICY a. Operatives shall not reveal their c0vert identity to anyone, except authorized personnel (Major. Covert Ops. Coon, DA, agencies providing credentials, etc.) at any time. b. Of?cer operatives assigned to the RPU full time shall not have their home phone numbers and addresses listed in any of the Department personnel rosters. The full time members of the RPU (Investigators. etc.) shall have their names and addresses compiled on a separate list that shall be provided to authorized personnel only. c. No other employee shall give out the home address and telephone number of any operative without prior authorization to any non?law enforcement person. 13, Covert Credentials for Officta' Qse Only - Credentials, undercover I.D. etc. issued to any operative is to be used by the operative for of?cial covert operations only and shall not be used for any personal reason. 14. Use 9: Alcohol the illegal use of alcohol beverages shall be prohibited. However, during undercover operations it is sometimes a benefit to consume alcoholic beverages to help establish and add credibility to the operative?s undercover role and identity. Therefore, foregoing any separate Warden Service Policy prohibiting the consumption of alcoholic beverages/intoxicating liquor while on duty, Undercover operatives may consume alcoholic beverages as necessary to act out their undercover role and identity as an operative, while on duty. However, the excessive use of alcoholic beverages during covert operations shall be prohibited. 15. Retum of Credentials bv Operatives No Longer in the RPU - when any officer, operative, agent, etc. is no longer assigned to the RPU, regardless of the reason for the assignment ending, any and all undercover credentials and "cover" materials of any type will be immediately forwarded to the Covert Operations Coordinator. 16. Covert garations Remus - Repons of Covert Operations and Contacts will be completed by the Operative using a REPORT OF INVESTIGATION coversheet (see Appendix A detailed narrative of the covert operation will be prepared within ?ve (5) days of the covert contact. After completion, a copy of the report will be forwarded to the Covert Ops. Coordinator or the person designated as the Case Agent by the Covert Ops. Coordinator, within seven (7) days of the covert contact. VI. PERA 1. It has long been recognized that undercover operations have the potential for becoming very dangerous. It shall be a primary concern of the Warden Service to ensure the safety and peace of mind of the operative and/or his/her family. (12) RESOURCE PROTECTION UNIT COVERT OPERATIONS POLICY 2. Qn Call Of?cer Available to Operatives During Covert Qperations - To ensure the safety and security of operatives while they are undercover, more shall be an on duty of?cer available to them 24 hours a day. This Case On Duty Of?cer (Case OD) should be located reasonably close to the operation. SHOULD AN EMERGENCY ARISE: a. The Case OD will respond to assist the operative immediately, calling backup units if necessary. The Case CD will notify the Coven Ops. Coordinator and/or the Major at the first possible opportunity as to the situation. 3. Threats to the ngative or Hts' {Her Family or Omer Summons Activity - The Warden Service will take a proactive approach to investigating threats, threatening conununications, intimidating contacts, suspicious activity andfor any other activity that causes concern for the operative andior his/her family. Therefore, the Warden Service shall: a. Aggressively investigate the potential source of the threat by conducting a thorough, in?depth invesugation; 13. Take all reasonable steps neocssary to ensure the security and safety of the family and operative; - c. Prosecute, if applicable, the person(s) whom are the source of the threat. 4. other suspicious Actiyity - any and all other concerning suspicious activity that may tend to suggest a threat to an operative and/or his/her family shall be treated as real and serious and shall be handled in the some manner as a Threat under Section VI - 3 (above). a. This section includes suspicions inquiries being made by other law enforcement of?cers not involved in the covert operation itself. These situations will be handled in the same manner as Section VI (3). The Major andior the Covert Ops. Coordinator will determine when to initiate this type of inquiry so as not to jeopardize the safety of the operativds) and/or ongoing covert operations. b. If, after an initial investigation has determined that there is a reasonable probability that the misuse of of?cial and/or police information may have occurred, the investigator assigned to the matter will immediately noufy the Game Warden Major, who shall determine further appropriate action. (13) RESOURCE PROTECTION UNIT COVERT OPERATIONS POLICY 5. Operative Ditty mating, Lime Address and Telephone Numbers to Remain Con?dential - under no circumstances shall the duty office, home address and/or home telephone number of any operative of the RPU be given to any person unless authorized by the Major and/or the Covert Ops. Coordinator. It will be the responsibility of the Covert Ops. Coordinator to instruct certain of?ce personnel who may receive such requests on how to handle such inquiries. 6. Inquiries Regarding Cgvert garations/Undercover Investigations - if any inquiry by the public, other agencies. attorneys, etc. is made regarding any phase of covert operations/undercover investigations of the Maine Warden Service all such inquiries will be forwarded to the Game Warden Major. No acknowledgement will be made that the Warden Service is involved with covert operations without the authorization of the Game Warden Major. It will be the responsibility of the Covert Ops. Coordinator to ensure that all appropriate personnel of the Dept. of are informed of this policy. VII. TAKEDO AND OTHER RELA PERATIONS Decision to it onto Takedown eratio - prior to commencing plans for a takedown operation, the Covert Ops. Coordinator shall obtain approval from the Game Warden Major or in his absence. the Game Warden Colonel. a. Initial Pre-Takedown Briefing - once a covert operation is terminated and a takedown operation is approved, the Covert Operations Coordinator or his designee will meet with and brief the Division Lieutenant who commands the Division that the takedown operation is to take place in regarding certain details of the ctwert operation and the takedown operation itself. The purpose of this brie?ng will be to establish preliminary plans to effect the takedown Operation. when, where, who, other logistics, etc.) 2. Officer Safety ?rst and foremost in any takedown operation will be the safety of all of?cers involved in the operation. No planned action shall occur during a takedown operation that knowingly places any officer in an unreasonably dangerous situation. The following steps will be taken to ensure the utmost level of safety during a takedown operatiOn: a. A section on of?cer safety shall be included in each brie?ng packet (see secrion on brie?ng packets). b. Bullet Proof Vests (Body Armor) shall be worn by all officers participating in a takedown operation. (14) RESOURCE PROTECTION UNIT COVERT OPERATIONS POLICY c. At least one firSt aid kit will be available at each major takedown location. The location of each ?rst aid kit will be noted during the pre?takedown brie?ng. d. Rubber protective gloves shall be provided to each of?cer involved in a takedown operation. 3. Search and Arrest Wan-an - undercover operations most often culminate in the form of search and arrest warrants being issued and executed. Due to the fact that these instruments of the court are extensively used more often than not during takedown operations. it is important to ensure that affidavits in support of requests for search and arrest warrants are well prepared. a. Review by DA ?5 Offig to ensure that adequate probable cause has been developed, correct language is used and to prevent unnecessary Motions to Suppress, all af?davits supporting a request for search and/or arrest warrants that stem from covert and undercover operations of the RPU will be reviewed and approved by an appropriate prosecutor prior to issuance. 4. Gourmand Post - the Division Lieutenant will establish command post location and be responsible for setting up a Command Post for the takedown operation to facilitate the supervision, organization and communications of the takedown operation. Under most circumstances the location of the Command Post shall not be released to the press or the public. 5. Lt. to Assign Takedom {learns the Lt. supervising the overall takedown operation will be responsible for assigning an appropriate number of officer to take down teams and shall appoint a Team Leader to each team. If possible, the Team Leader will be a Game Warden Sergeant. a. Leg Leader Resmnsibilities 1) Team Leaders will have decision making authority at actual assigned takedown locations. 2) Team Leaders will assign of?cers to speci?c team assigmnents and duties. 3) Team Leaders are respomible fer making sure that each of his/her team members has preper equipment. 4) Team leaders will make all assignments and plan all action with officer safety a primary concern. 6. Takedown Ogration Briefing print to Search or Arrest Warrants being served and/or other takedown operations commence, a brie?ng will be given to all of?cers involved in the operation. The operatives involved in the case will be available, if possible, to answer last minute inquiries regarding the case. (15) RESOURCE PROTECTION UNIT COVERT OPERATIONS POLICY a. gase Summing: - a synopsis of the case and targets of the investigation, violations encountered, caution Statements, etc. will be given by the operative and or his/her designee during the takedown brie?ng. b. Takedown Teams to Qrgm'ze - the Division Lt. or his designee shall norify of?cers of the team that they are assigned to and the Team leader that will SUpervise their team. Of?cers will divide into teams at this time. c. Qgstions from Team Leaders and Team Members an Opporttmity will be provided to answer any last minute questions of Takedown Team leaders or Of?cers. (1. Location of First Aid - each Team Leader will be responsible to ensure that: 1) his team has at least one first aid kit to accompany them on their assignment and that each team member knows the location of the ?rst aid kit. e. ical Re cue availabili - in case of a medical emergency, the location of the nearest available emergency medical services shall de known to all officers participating in a takedown operation. The Command Post shal means to immediately communicate with, and request emergency medical services should they become required during the takedown operation. f. Team Brie?ng Packets each team will receive a brie?ng packet with information regarding the teams speci?c target/assignment. Brie?ng Packets will include, but are not limited to: 1) appropriate Search and Arrest Warrants; 2) Maps. directions, building diagrams, etc; 3) instructiom regarding the location of evidence storage facilities and prisoner holding facilities; 4) location/contact numbers for first aid and emergency medical resources; 5) other necessary paperwork (summons, etc); 6) special equipment necessary for a particular team assignment; 7) communications information; 8) debriefutg instructions (where, when. etc); 9) report instructions after takedown; 10) list of each team, team assignment, location and team leader; 11) specific instructions regarding evidence custody, labeling and transport. 12) all evidence seized shall be photographed, logged and tagged with current Maine Warden Service Evidence Tag (see Appendix 10). All information contained in the briefing packets should be reviewed during the brie?ng itself. (16) RESOURCE PROTECTION UNIT COVERT OPERATIONS POLICY 13) ?riefmg Packets to be Returned to command Posr upon completion of the takedown operation Team Leaders will be responsible to ascertain that Briefing Packets for their team are returned to the designated person at the Command Post. g. Security 1. No information regarding the covert operation or the takedown will be discussed with anyone not immediately involved with the operation. Information will be given out on a need to know basis only. 11. Debriefing - after the takedown, each team shall report back to the Command Post or other designated location for debrie?ng. i. Reports - written reports of the details of each team members activities involving the takedown will be written upon return to Command Post and forwarded to the designated person prior to being dismissed from the takedown operation. j. News Media and Press - the Division Lieutenant superVising the overall takedown operation will assign a person to respond to all news and media inquiries. Any statement released by anyone to the news media/press must ?rst be approved by the Game Warden Major and! or the Covert Ops. Coordinator prior to release. Prosecution and Investigation Glow 1. Case Agent Assam the Covert Operations Coordinator or his designee will be assigned as Case Agent for an investigation that has been, or is about to be closed. a. Duties of A3913 duties of the Case Agent assigned to handle the case will include, but are not limited to: 510) ensure that all investigative reports neCessary to prosecute the case have been submitted and are organized in a useable manner; a(2) present the case report(s) to the appropriate prosecutor for the drawing of appropriate complaints; 21(3) ensure that any follow up required by the prosecutor assigned to the case is carried out in an expeditious manner; a(4) coordinate evidence testing, analysis, storage, etc., if necessary; 3(5) act as and be a liaison between the Warden Service and the District Attomey?s of?ce or other court offices, law enforcement agencies, etc. who may have an interest in the case; (17) RESOURCE PROTECTION UNIT COVERT OPERATIONS POLICY a(6) complete any other duty necessary to ensure that the investigation is brought through the court system preperly; any other duty necessary to close the case sucoesfully. Note: The Covert Operations Coordinator may assign a Case Agent to a case at any stage of a Cover: Operation. (13)