Controlling the Madrinas: The Police Informer Management and Control System in Mexico

Abstract

One of the most relevant issues concerning snitching in the criminal information system of any police organisation is its control. This article analyses the different ways in which the Mexican Judicial Police exert control over their informants. Utilising a mixed qualitative methodology of research, in-depth interviews and ethnographic work, this article elaborates a taxonomy of police informant control constructed from a diverse array of particular tools, both informal (personal and impersonal) and formal (impersonal), that are determined by three variables: type of contact, personal characteristics of the informant and criminal environment.