Key attributes of an effective human source handler: Implications for handler selection and training

Authors/Creators

Pamela Henry, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow
Nikki Rajakaruna, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow
Charl Crous, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow
John Buckley, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow

Abstract

Despite the importance of human source intelligence very little has been written about the selection of police officers to undertake the specialist role of handler, and approaches to training in this specialist area. This research examined the nature of handling and the core attributes of effective human source handlers as perceived by 22 experienced handlers. Participants described handling as characterised by relationship alliance, task alliance and technique. Participants also identified attributes associated with the effective handling of human sources. Findings have important implications for the selection and training of officers for the role of human source handler.

RAS ID

29632

Document Type

Journal Article

Date of Publication

1-1-2019

School

School of Arts and Humanities / Sellenger Centre

Copyright

subscription content

Publisher

Sage

Comments

Henry, P., Rajakaruna, N., Crous, C., & Buckley, J. (2019). Key attributes of an effective human source handler: Implications for handler selection and training. The Police Journal, 93(4), 290-309.

https://doi.org/10.1177/0032258X19862589

Recommended Citation

Henry, P., Rajakaruna, N., Crous, C., & Buckley, J. (2019). Key attributes of an effective human source handler: Implications for handler selection and training. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0032258X19862589