Running Head: DRNC SCENARIO
Written Exercise 5: DRNC Scenario
CRJ 530 – Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice
November 12th, 2018
Dr. Phillip Neely, Jr.
DRNC SCENARIO
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Abstract
For hundreds of years undercover investigations have been taking place in the US and around the
world. Undercover agents, whether male or female, are still expected to abide the law. While
there are certainly undercover investigators out there that are doing the wrong thing, there are
some exceptions to the rule, depending on the circumstance and when approved by the higher
command. Therefore, it is certainly possible for undercover agents to get away with crime when
their mission dictates so. This paper is going to look the case of detective Underwood and
Freeman, two female undercover agents who are seeking to infiltrate the Ruckus Society training
camp, a training camp for “direct actions” protests groups. These trained groups are than
expected to protest at an upcoming Democratic-Republican National Convention (DRNC) event
in Miami. This paper will discuss limitations and restrictions that detective Underwood and
Freeman are faced with during their undercover investigation as well as any legal and ethical
ramifications of not following these guidelines.
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DRNC Scenario
Amy Underwood who is assigned to the Vice & Narcotics section of the Pasco County
Sheriff’s office, has stood out to superiors and subordinates as being an outstanding officer. She
was selected as one of the two undercover investigators involved in stopping protestors from a
group called Rucker society at the upcoming Democratic-Republic National Convention event in
Miami Fl. Amy was selected for this position because she is divorced and has no children,
therefor has no ties or commitments that would interfere with this mission.
During a meeting with the US Attorney office, the surveillance team, the two undercover agents
and respective supervisors they discussed the details of the mission. The target is a direct-action
protest group named Ruckus Society. They are a nonprofit organization that was established in
1996. Their mission is to train as many protestors as they can in their training camp to disrupt
major political events by breaking the law and civil obedience in order to seek social change.
Agent Underwood and agent Freeman are to go undercover to their training camp site and learn
their ways for two weeks.
A similar mission was conducted in 2012 by agent Haar and Sullivan. However, this
mission was quickly burnt because members of the society grew suspicious of the agents when
they refused to smoke weed with the trainers. This time around they want to make sure the
mission is not compromised and seek further advise from US Attorney Richard DeArmas as to
what they can and cannot due during this undercover investigation.
Undercover agents typically walk a thin line because the undercover investigation is not a
freebie for breaking the law. If an illegal activity is unavoidable it will have to be approved by
higher command first. Consuming drugs is highly discouraged however, not only because it is
illegal but also because if consumed the credibility of the agent in court would be compromised.
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There are certainly exceptions to these rules depending on how severe the situation. Sometimes it
calls for a crime to be committed to not blow the cover. Agents can commit certain crimes in
their own discretion however they must be aware of the circumstances that they will face when
they justify their reasoning after the crime was committed (Smallwood, 2018). They have to be
aware that they could then face criminal charges themselves.
Historically there have been undercover investigations where agents have gotten away
with crimes simply because they altered the reports. However, in a case where they are under
surveillance it would be hard to get away with such crime.
Officers who abide by the law and follow the rules will go by the FBI guidelines about
undercover operations, which strictly prohibits any activity that violates Federal and State law
without prior approval (Smallwood, 2018). According to these guidelines, agents are not
supposed to break the law in the slightest, meaning no jaywalking or even littering without prior
authorization. Due to the fact this would make them look very suspicious to criminals who they
are attempting to catch in a crime, many minor crimes are already approved by the command
prior to the start of the investigation. If for some reason the undercover agent does not get prior
approval for a crime, and they end up committing a crime due to an unforeseen circumstance,
they can retroactively receive authorization if the agent’s safety was in question (Smallwood,
2018).
To avoid entrapment agents are should get plans authorized prior to execution of. Agent
Underwood and Freeman could suggest disrupting a smaller event nearby to gain the trainers
trust in this scenario for example.
In most cases undercover agents should not intervene illegal or criminal acts while they
are happening, as it would blow their cover completely. There is a strong imbalance of ethical
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beliefs and doing the right thing while doing what is best for the mission. One will feel morally
obligated to intervene however the act of intervening could potentially destroy the whole mission
and negate the whole intend of conducting the investigation in the first place (Blomber and
Cohen, 1995).
Any time agents are attending an undercover investigation regardless of whether it
involves, drugs, prostitution, burglaries or in this case violent protest groups they must fully be
aware of their boundaries and what they are and are not allowed to do. Before agent Underwood
and Freeman attend the training camp, they must understand their responsibilities while being
undercover. For one they will have to dress to fit in which means no items of clothing that will
reveal their association with the law enforcement. They are not allowed to take drugs unless their
life depends on it and if, so they must take the minimal amount necessary to not blow their cover.
They should always be armed even this is not possible like in this scenario than they must get
prior approval (Police Bureau, 2018). Agent Underwood and agent Freeman should avoid being
under the influence of alcohol as it will affect their level of judgment and effectiveness on the
job. If they must drink alcohol they have to report it to their command after.
The agents should not be involved in making any arrest while being undercover. And
they must ensure that any video cameras or audio equipment is working properly before entering
the training camp, so that they can stay in contact with the surveillance team and the team is
there to call for back up in case they need to abort the mission. Safety words should be
established beforehand in case of an emergency. Agent Underwood and Freeman will be entering
the camp as two completely different individuals which means two completely new identities.
Therefor it is important both agents stay in their role during the whole duration of the training.
This means they must come up with life stories on their background and their beliefs that do not
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reflect their own. There are many factors involved before taking on an investigation like this and
it is important the agents are aware of their responsibilities and their legal restraints while being
undercover.
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References
Smallwood, K (2018) Can the police commit crimes while undercover? Retrieved from:
http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2018/08/can-the-police-commit-crimes-
Police Bureau (2018). Undercover Safety and Operations Procedures. Portland, OR. Retrieved
from: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/article/529154
Blomberg, T and Cohen, S (1995). Recent Development in Undercover Policing. Retrieved from:
http://web.mit.edu/gtmarx/www/recent.html
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Running head: UNDERCOVER AGENTS
Undercover Agents
Cassandra Rollins
Saint Leo University
CRJ530 – Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice
Dr. Phillip Neely, Jr.
November 15, 2018
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UNDERCOVER AGENTS
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Abstract
The use of undercover agents is beneficial to many operations. Individuals are required to give
their full attention to the missions at stake while obtaining as much information as possible. An
agent is expected to eat, sleep and live among the individuals in question while the operations are
taking place to maintain secret identities. The risks involved with being an undercover agent are
high. You may partake in illegal activities and illegal substance abuse. As an agent, you may
cross ethical dilemmas that are required to complete the mission. Remember that undercover
operations require you to take on a new identity, however, don’t let it ruin your life.
UNDERCOVER AGENTS
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Undercover Agents
As the Assistant U.S. Attorney General, I will explain to Detective Underwood and
Detective Freeman what behaviors and actions you can partake in. For this operation, you are
required to infiltrate and become a member of the Ruckus Society. To complete this task, you are
required to go deep undercover, which means you will eat, sleep and live with the members. The
group may ask you to accompany them in illegal or dangerous activities, and as part of the
mission, I will explain what you can partake in. You may also be asked to participate in
consuming an illegal substance as part of the initiation phase.
During these phases, you can accept all initiation phases you are comfortable with. If they
require you to take part in small petit theft crimes or ingest illegal substances, you can go without
repercussions after the operation is over. As part of an undercover operation, an individual is
required to take all required actions to obtain as much information about their plans as possible.
If the Ruckus Society expects you to commit a felony, try finding alternative ways to conduct the
activity. If you are caught in the process of completing the crime, you along with your
counterparts will be placed in jail. The purpose of an undercover operation is to obtain
information while ensuring your covert status is not compromised.
While you are arrested, you will be treated the same as the others to ensure there are no
suspicions of what is taking place. Ensure you remember that when an operation is happening,
you will have minimum contact with the outside world. You need to let your family know that
you will be away for approximately six months and to not worry about your wellbeing. You also
need to ensure to let friends know you are on a mission and will be out of reach for the next few
months. Ensure no-one knows any information about the mission outside of this room. Missions
will only be required participation of up to one year. All individuals involved with be
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compensated with pay after task is complete and all funds needed during operation will be placed
into accounts. Members will likely be at risk of physical injury and experience violence.
As the Assistant Attorney General, I will discuss the reasons why you can partake in
misdemeanor crimes. The most important thing to remember is that you are here to complete a
mission and are only to partake in illegal activity if the reason is justified. Justifications include:
to obtain information or evidence needed for the success of the investigation and there is no
option unless participating in the activity, to maintain cover or credibility, and to prevent death
or serious bodily harm ("DOJ," 1992). A member can use self-defense in all situations to include,
protecting him or herself and the lives of others against wrongful force.
All information is laid out ahead of time to ensure you fully understand what
ramifications may take place when certain felony crimes are committed. As undercover agents,
you are only allowed to conduct these felony crimes if it falls under one of the three justifications
covered earlier in the paper. The list of felony crimes includes illegal wiretapping, illegal mail
opening, breaking and entering, and trespassing to obtain an illegal search. Ensuring to only
conduct unlawful activity as a last resort to maintain the credibility of the situation.
There are always going to be individuals watching and recording information of all
incidents or crimes committed. Officers will only intercept or become involved in a situation if
an outsider has reported the crime or if they can guarantee your identities will not be exposed.
Officers will not prevent crimes from happening even if they know ahead of time. The reason for
this is to ensure all undercover agents maintain their identity and ensure their safety.
As the Assistant Attorney General, I need to ensure both Detective Underwood and
Detective Freeman understand all risks involved, along with what is acceptable during your time
as an agent. Both agents will attend a two-day undercover course to prepare for your mission.
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This training ensures individuals understand the need for and purpose of covert operations along
with successful undercover investigative techniques (MCTFT, 2017). These pieces of training
will assist to have a better understanding of what to expect when you arrive at your first Ruckus
training camp. Ensure you conduct training on your own time to ensure you understand what the
group believes in and what their ultimate goals are.
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References
The Ruckus Society (2011). The Ruckus Society: Actions Speak Louder than Words. Retrieved
from http://www.ruckus.org/index.php
Undercover and Sensitive Operations Unit, Attorney General’s Guidelines on FBI Undercover
Operations. (1992). Retrieved from https://www.justice.gov/archives/ag/undercover-andsensitive-operations-unit-attorney-generals-guidelines-fbi-undercover-operations
Undercover Operations (2-day). (2017). Retrieved from https://mctft.org/training/traditionaltraining/undercover-operations/
Running Head: DRNC SCENARIO
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DRNC Scenario
Megan Clark
CRJ530 – Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice
St. Leo University
November 15, 2018
DRNC SCENARIO
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Abstract
In law enforcement, there are always going to be undercover assignments that are being worked
on. Only the people highly qualified will be asked to perform these operations. For the person
undercover, they need to know when they have crossed the line. What rules or laws are they
allowed to break? Or are they allowed to break any at all? These are the questions we will be
going over to decide if Detective Underwood and Freeman are indeed allowed to commit any
crimes while going undercover at the Ruckus Society training camp.
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DRNC Scenario
As the Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard DeArmas, it is my job to provide in detail the
types of activity Detective Underwood and Freeman will be able to engage in through this
undercover operation. They have asked questions regarding committing misdemeanor offenses
such as smoking marijuana or shoplifting with the members of this training camp to disguise
their cover. It has also been brought to my attention that they are also wanting to know if they
can commit other crimes such as grand theft or armed robbery. The guidelines of what an
undercover detective is allowed to do during their mission will be discussed along with what
they are not allowed to do. They will need to be as prepared as possible so they do not blow their
cover as the detectives did years before.
Detectives that are sent to go undercover have multiple responsibilities but one of the
biggest ones is by not letting the criminals know that they are undercover. They may have to
break the law and commit crimes if it means that the operation is successful. Criminals do what
they can to make sure someone they are dealing with is not a cop. They may ask them to do
things that they wouldn’t think a cop would do. For instance, if the case is drug case, not only
will they possibly be asked to transport drugs, but the criminals they are working with may ask
them to do other things such as smoke the drugs they are handling. If those criminals suspect
they are dealing with cops it is likely that they will stop participating, therefore leading the
officers to a dead end and not ending in an arrest. Or like the situation before, they may be asked
to leave the facility. They need the individuals at the Ruckus Society training camp to think they
are regular everyday people.
There are guidelines put into place for these types of situations and that is so the
detectives do not veer off the wrong track. A detective cannot commit a crime if it is not
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involved in an undercover operation. Therefore, smoking marijuana undercover is different than
smoking marijuana with a friend. The pressure of these situations can take a toll on the
undercover detective, therefore leading them to do things that they shouldn’t. Operations where
officers go deep undercover can have an effect on them not just physically, but mentally too.
In this situation, Detective Underwood and Freeman are assigned to stay at the Ruckus
Society training camp and live with them for two weeks. This camp provides training to
protesters, specifically ones that may try to disrupt the Democratic-Republican National
Convention (DRNC) being held in Miami-Dade County the following year. During this time at
the camp, they will have no communication with their family and friends. They will be given cell
phones to be able to communicate with their co-workers but they will not physically see them for
at least two weeks. Detective Underwood and Freeman are told that they may commit crimes
such as smoking marijuana or petit theft if it is necessary to keep their identities hidden during
this operation. It is likely, like the failed operation in the past, that if they don’t agree to smoke
with the group when asked that they may get suspicious. Police officers are legally allowed to
participate in crime so long as the conduct furthers legitimate objectives (Joh, 2009).
An undercover detective is not to commit violent crimes unless it is out of self-defense.
In an emergency situation they are to take appropriate action and use self-defense if needed to
protect their life along with others (The U.S. Department of Justice, 2017). In this case, Detective
Underwood and Freeman should try to avoid engaging in activity such as armed robbery or
grand theft. There are certain activities that could be authorized by the Special Agent in Charge
for the agent undercover such as the payment of bribes, purchase of stolen or contraband goods,
and the controlled delivery of drugs (Joh, 2009). Those are a few examples of crimes that can be
approved but others can as well as long as they are discussed before the operation. All of the
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issues that may come into play during this operation need to be reviewed a head of time so they
can be approved. All scenarios should be brought to the table beforehand because anything can
happen while out at the training camp and it is better to review it in advance so they do not
violate any laws or be charged for the crime they commit.
It would be best if Detective Underwood and Freeman do not intervene in a situation
where they know there is a crime about to be committed. Intervening can expose their cover and
therefore ruin the operation. Since Detective Tom Sullivan and Detective Roland Haar will be in
touch with Detective Underwood and Freeman, they can give a heads up to those on the outside
if possible but should not engage in the situation by themselves. Intervening could not only
jeopardize the operation but could put the detectives in a bind. The last thing that the agency
wants is to get the detectives hurt or put them in danger. Their jobs are to gather information
during their stay at the camp.
As Detective Underwood and Freeman get ready for this undercover operation, they need
to make sure that they do not tell anyone about this. They need to let their family and friends
know that they will be away for a period of time so they do not worry. When they go into the
Ruckus Society training camp they will have to play the part in all aspects. There are certain
crimes that have been discussed that if they commit those crimes they will not be punished.
Making ethical decisions is a huge part of who they are as detectives so doing their best to
continue to make ethical decisions while they are there are recommended.
Going undercover is a tough job and can be even tougher depending on the situation.
Both detectives are going to be briefed on every detail of the operation months in advance and
we will continue to go over it with them the weeks and days leading up to it. They were chosen
for this job because we believe they are the best fit. Every question they have will be answered
DRNC SCENARIO
before they leave and the guidelines will be reviewed. Detective Underwood and Freeman will
be more than ready for this mission and this agency has the utmost confidence in these two hard
working detectives.
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References
(2011). Retrieved from The Ruckus Society: Action Speak Louder Than Words:
http://www.ruckus.org/index.php
(2017, March 8). Retrieved from The U.S. Department of Justice:
https://www.justice.gov/archives/ag/undercover-and-sensitive-operations-unit-attorneygenerals-guidelines-fbi-undercover-operations#serious
Joh, E. E. (2009). Stanford Law Review. Breaking the Law to Enforce It: Undercover Police
Participation in Crime, 155-198.
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