Undercover Online: An Extension of Traditional Policing in the United States

This study examines law enforcement personnel who work undercover chatting investigations in order to catch online sexual predators. Law enforcement efforts in this area are relatively new. This research addresses such questions as what types of training do these law enforcement personnel who try to snag online sexual predators go through and what specifically do their jobs entail. Seventeen law enforcement personnel were interviewed from different parts of the United States. The interview schedule covered six areas: respondents' careers, their home lives, training received that is relevant for their current positions, details about their jobs, the undercover aspects of their jobs, and their demographics. This study is important because it offers a closer look at the individuals who put their time and efforts into neutralizing online sexual predators before they can harm additional children and minors. This knowledge will add to the current literature in this area as well as aid policy developers on issues concerning law enforcement organization and personnel.