Information gathering is a fundamental and essential element in the all-encompassing duties of any law enforcement agency. When acquired, information is used to prevent crime, pursue and apprehend offenders, and obtain evidence necessary for conviction. Agencies should gather information directed toward specific individuals or organizations where there is reasonable suspicion (as defined in 28 CFR, Part 23, Section 23.3 c) that said individuals or organizations may be planning or engaging in criminal activity, gather it with due respect for the rights of those involved, and disseminate it only to authorized individuals as defined. While criminal intelligence may be assigned to specific personnel within the agency, all members of an agency should responsible for reporting information that may help identify criminal conspirators and perpetrators.

These documents provide law enforcement officers in general, and officers assigned to the intelligence function in particular, with guidelines and principles for the collection, analysis, and distribution of intelligence information.

The documents are intended to remain at all times consistent with the current language of 28 CFR, Part 23.