confidential informant

American  

[kon-fi-den-shuhl in-fawr-muhnt] / ˌkɒn fɪˈdɛn ʃəl ɪnˈfɔr mənt /

noun

1. a person who works undercover for law enforcement to gather information about felonious criminal activities: some confidential informants are criminals themselves, hired to work undercover in exchange for leniency or exoneration: CI

   We’re told that this elusive drug lord was finally taken down thanks largely to a confidential informant, whose identity remains fiercely protected.

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Etymology

Origin of confidential informant

First recorded in 1940–45

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

confidential informant

In September 2024, Detective Donald Paul, an officer with the State College Police Department, recruited a confidential informant to make multiple controlled purchases from Robinson.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026

Joseph Vincent, a dual Haitian-American citizen and former confidential informant for the U.S.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 19, 2023

Unlike a gang case, where the defendants figuring out the name of the confidential informant before trial would be significant, in this case, witnesses have already publicly agreed to testify in exchange for lenient treatment.

From Salon ● Nov. 15, 2023

The process used to partially seal the warrants allows for the protection of sensitive information, such as the identity of a confidential informant.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2023

"Just who is this confidential informant, anyway, Ole?"

From By Proxy by H. R. van Dongen

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