NCJ Number
108689
Journal
Journal of Social Issues Volume: 43 Issue: 3 Dated: (1987) Pages: 79-85
Date Published
1987
Length
7 pages
Annotation
In a commentary on the Braithwaite et al (1987) article on covert facilitation (i.e., the use of deception to encourage criminal acts), this article assesses risks related to encouragement, targeting, the limits of observation, and deception.
Abstract
It is questioned whether it is the object of government to develop the sort of con game test of citizens involved in covert facilitation, the premise of which assumes that there is a bit of larceny in everyone. Further, the sort of active encouragement supported by Braithwaite et al appears to be far more intrusive of privacy than the sort of passive strategies involved in sting operations or even in wiretaps. In addition, once the notion of police deception against one category of 'dangerous' criminals is legitimized, its use against other categories of persons deemed dangerous may be difficult to control, even if safeguards and controls against abuses were instituted. Finally, there may be reason to distrust an investigator who spends his or her career practicing deception, particularly in the encouragement of wrongdoing. 5 references.