If law enforcement wishes to recruit an offender under supervision as a CI, what must first be obtained?

When law enforcement seeks to recruit an offender in supervision as a Confidential Informant (CI), obtaining approval from the sentencing authority is crucial. This approval is vital because it ensures that the decision aligns with the legal framework governing the individual's supervision and rehabilitation. The sentencing authority, which typically has jurisdiction over the offender's case and the conditions of their supervision, must agree that allowing participation as a CI is appropriate and will not undermine the goals of the offender's rehabilitation or violate any court-imposed conditions.

This process not only safeguards the interests of the offender but also maintains the integrity of the judicial system by ensuring that any actions taken are within legal bounds. If an offender is serving a sentence related to certain charges, for instance, recruiting them as a CI could potentially affect the terms of their supervision or violate the stipulations set forth at sentencing. Hence, the involvement and consent of the sentencing authority is essential in facilitating this type of arrangement responsibly and ethically.