What informants do and why law enforcement uses them
An informant is a person who provides information to law enforcement about criminal activity. Informants work with police, federal agents, or other investigators to report crimes, identify suspects, or gather evidence. Some informants are paid; others volunteer. Some are witnesses to a single crime; others work undercover for months or years.
Law enforcement uses informants because they often have access to information that officers cannot obtain through standard investigation. An informant might be inside a criminal organization, know the people involved in a crime, or have direct knowledge of where illegal activity is happening. This makes them valuable to building cases.
The relationship between an informant and law enforcement is contractual and confidential. The agency agrees to protect the informant's identity, and the informant agrees to provide truthful information and sometimes testify in court. Informants are typically registered in a database and assigned a case number rather than identified by name in official records.
Key Takeaways
- Contact your local police department, FBI field office, or the agency investigating the crime you have information about to express your willingness to work as an informant.
- Law enforcement will conduct a background check and interview you to assess your credibility, access to information, and ability to work safely in the role.
- You will sign a confidentiality agreement and may receive a code name or informant number to protect your identity in official records.
- Payment, if offered, is typically based on the value and accuracy of information provided, and you may be asked to wear a recording device or make controlled calls.
- Your safety is your responsibility to manage; law enforcement cannot may provide protection, and your identity may be revealed if you testify in court.
How to contact law enforcement to become an informant
The first step is to contact the agency investigating the crime or the agency with jurisdiction over the area where the crime is occurring. For local crimes, call your city or county police department's non-emergency line and ask to speak with a detective or the tip line. For federal crimes—drug trafficking, terrorism, organized crime, human trafficking—contact your nearest FBI field office or the relevant federal agency (DEA, ATF, ICE, etc.).
You do not need to give your real name when you first call. You can report information anonymously and ask whether the agency is interested in working with you as an informant. If they are, they will ask you to meet in person at a police station, field office, or safe location. Bring a form of identification to this meeting, as the agency will need to verify who you are and conduct a background check.
Be prepared to explain what information you have, how you obtained it, and why you are coming forward now. Agencies are skeptical of informants with obvious motives—revenge against a rival, immunity from their own charges, or financial gain alone. The most credible informants are those who witnessed a serious crime and feel a civic duty to report it, or who have legitimate safety concerns.
What law enforcement will assess before accepting you
Once you contact an agency, a detective or federal agent will interview you to determine whether you are a viable informant. They will evaluate your credibility, your access to the information you claim to have, and your ability to work safely without being discovered. They will also run a background check to see whether you have a criminal history, outstanding warrants, or a pattern of false reports.
Agencies are wary of informants who are currently facing criminal charges and offering information in exchange for leniency—though this does happen. They are also cautious about informants with severe mental health issues, active substance abuse, or a history of dishonesty. If you have a criminal record, you can still become an informant, but the agency will weigh the risk that you might be unreliable or have ulterior motives.
The agent will ask detailed questions about the crime, the people involved, locations, dates, and how you know this information. They will test your knowledge by asking follow-up questions and checking your account against what they already know. If your story is consistent and your access to information is genuine, they will move forward. If they believe you are making things up or seeking revenge, they will decline.
The registration and confidentiality process
If the agency decides to work with you, you will be registered as a confidential informant (CI). You will be assigned a code number or alias—for example, "CI-2847" or a name like "Source A"—so that your real identity is not used in police reports, evidence logs, or court filings. This protects your safety and your privacy.
You will sign a confidentiality agreement stating that you will not disclose your work as an informant to anyone except your attorney, and that you understand the risks involved. The agreement also typically requires you to be truthful, to report only information you have direct knowledge of, and to follow the instructions of your handler (the detective or agent assigned to you).
Your handler will explain the rules of the relationship: how often you will meet, how you will communicate (in person, by phone, by text), what you should and should not do, and what will happen if you break the agreement. Some informants are asked to record conversations, wear a wire, or make controlled phone calls to suspects. Others straightforward report what they see and hear. The scope of your work depends on the investigation and the risk level.
Payment, compensation, and what to expect
Not all informants are paid. Some volunteer because they witnessed a crime and want to see justice done. Others are paid because they are taking on significant risk or spending time gathering information. Payment is not may provide and is not a right; it is negotiated between you and the agency.
If you are paid, compensation is typically based on the value and accuracy of the information you provide. You might receive a flat fee for a single tip, or you might be paid monthly if you are working undercover for an extended period. Payments are usually made in cash and documented in a confidential ledger. You will not receive a W-2 or 1099 form, and the agency will not report the payment to the IRS on your behalf—this is your responsibility if you owe taxes.
Expect the process to move slowly. Investigations take time. Your information might not lead to an arrest for weeks or months. You may be asked to provide the same information multiple times to different agents or to a prosecutor. If the case goes to trial, you may be called to testify, which means your identity will be revealed in court—this is a significant risk that you should understand before you begin.
Safety considerations and your legal protection
Working as an informant carries real danger. If the people you are reporting discover that you are cooperating with law enforcement, you could face retaliation, violence, or death. Law enforcement cannot may provide your safety. They can take steps to protect your identity—using a code name, limiting who knows about you, keeping your file confidential—but they cannot prevent all risks.
Your legal protection is limited. If you are injured or killed because of your work as an informant, you generally cannot sue the government for failing to protect you. This is because the relationship is considered voluntary and the risks are understood. Some agencies offer relocation information or other support if your safety is seriously threatened, but this is not automatic and depends on the circumstances.
You have the right to an attorney, and you should consider consulting one before you sign any agreement with law enforcement. An attorney can review the confidentiality agreement, explain your rights and risks, and advise you on whether becoming an informant is in your best interest. If you cannot afford an attorney, you can request a public defender, though they typically represent people facing criminal charges rather than informants.
What happens if your identity is revealed or the case ends
If your identity becomes known—either because you testify in court, because the suspect figures it out, or because of a security breach—your handler should notify you when ready. At that point, you and the agency will discuss your options: continuing to work as an informant (which may now be unsafe), relocating, or ending the relationship.
When an investigation concludes, your role as an informant ends. The case file remains confidential, but your code name and the information you provided are stored in law enforcement databases. If you are called to testify in court, your real name will be used and you will be cross-examined by the defense attorney. This is a public record and cannot be kept secret.
After the case closes, you have no ongoing relationship with law enforcement unless you choose to become an informant again in a different investigation. You will not receive updates on the case, and you cannot demand to know the outcome. The agency's obligation to you ends when the investigation ends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I become an informant if I have a criminal record?
Yes. Law enforcement regularly works with informants who have criminal histories. However, your record will be reviewed carefully, and the agency will assess whether you are trustworthy and whether your motives are genuine. A serious or recent criminal history may make you less credible, but it does not automatically disqualify you.
Will I have to testify in court?
Possibly. If the case goes to trial, the prosecutor may call you as a witness. When you testify, your real name and identity will be revealed, and the defense attorney will cross-examine you. Some cases are resolved through plea agreements without trial, which means you may not have to testify. Discuss this risk with your handler before you begin.
What if I want to stop being an informant?
You can end the relationship at any time. However, if you have signed a confidentiality agreement, you remain bound by it. You cannot disclose that you were an informant or discuss the investigation with anyone except your attorney. Breaking the agreement can result in legal consequences.
How much money can I make as an informant?
Payment varies widely and depends on the agency, the investigation, and the value of your information. Some informants receive a few hundred dollars for a single tip. Others working undercover for months may receive thousands. There is no standard rate, and payment is not may provide. Discuss compensation with your handler before you commit to the work.
What if the suspect finds out I am an informant?
Notify your handler when ready. Do not try to hide it or continue working. Your safety is at risk, and the investigation may be compromised. Your handler will assess the situation and decide whether you need to relocate, stop working, or take other protective measures. Law enforcement cannot may provide your safety, but they can help you manage the when ready threat.