To protect the safety of individuals and the integrity of law enforcement investigations, there is no public "confidential informant list"
. Under state law, the identity of these individuals is strictly protected to prevent retaliation and ensure the effectiveness of police operations. The Legal Shield for Informant Identities
In Indiana, several legal mechanisms ensure that lists of confidential informants (CIs) remain out of the public eye: Indiana Code Section 4-2-7-8
: Specifically protects the identity of individuals who disclose information regarding law enforcement violations to the Inspector General. Disclosure is only permitted if the individual consents or if the Inspector General determines it is in the public interest. Investigatory Records Discretion Indiana Code Section 5-14-3-4(b)(1)
, law enforcement agencies have the discretion to deny access to "investigatory records," which typically include information that could identify a CI. Administrative Exclusion Indiana Office of Court Services (IOCS)
maintains a list of records excluded from public access, ensuring that sensitive documents related to informant identities are not accessible via standard public record searches. How Law Enforcement Manages Informants
Instead of a public list, agencies use internal tracking systems to manage informants securely: CI Identification Numbers
: Informants are assigned a unique, non-reusable CI number obtained from the Criminal Intelligence Unit (CIU). This number is used in reports to reference the individual without revealing their true name. Suitability Reports confidential informant list indiana
: Before someone becomes a CI, an officer must complete an Initial Suitability Report. This report documents the person's age, criminal history, and relationship with investigation targets, but these records are kept in secure, non-public files. Confidential Management Software : Many agencies use dedicated software, such as Case Closed Software
, which features role-based access control and secure linkage between informants and cases to prevent unauthorized leaks. Accessing Other Public Records
While informant lists are protected, you can access other non-confidential court documents and public information through the following official Indiana channels: MyCase Indiana MyCase online portal
to search for non-confidential court filings and public documents at no cost. Indiana Public Records Requests
: You can submit formal requests for public records through the Indiana Judicial Branch in Indiana for non-confidential data?
AI responses may include mistakes. For legal advice, consult a professional. Learn more Role of Confidential Informants - Special Report 04-Mar-2003 —
, there is no official public list of confidential informants To protect the safety of individuals and the
. Law enforcement agencies at the state and local levels go to great lengths to keep these identities secret to protect the safety of the informants and the integrity of ongoing investigations. Understanding Confidential Informant (CI) Lists Confidential Nature
: By definition, CI identities are not public record. Releasing this information could lead to criminal charges like obstruction of justice. Department Records
: The Indiana State Police (ISP) and other local departments maintain internal, highly secure "CI packets" that include photos, fingerprints, and unique "CI numbers" to identify informants without using their names in reports. Hoaxes and Fake Lists
: Be wary of lists circulating on social media. For example, in October 2025 Wayne County Sheriff's Office
issued a statement debunking a viral image that falsely claimed to be a leaked CI list, calling it "misleading and irresponsible". How Identities Are Legally Disclosed
The only formal way to learn a CI’s identity is through a legal process during a criminal case: Motion for Discovery
: A defense attorney can file a motion to disclose the informant's identity. Court Evaluation Disclosure is only permitted if the individual consents
: A judge will only grant this if the defense proves the informant’s identity is essential to a fair trial—for instance, if the CI was a direct witness to the alleged crime.
: If a CI is called as a witness at trial, their identity becomes public. Key Indiana Resources Wayne County Indiana Sheriff's Office - Facebook
Yes, but limited.
If a person sues a police department for wrongful arrest or excessive force, and an informant’s tip was the basis for the arrest, a judge may order disclosure. In Johnson v. City of Indianapolis (S.D. Ind. 2018), the federal court ordered the city to identify a CI who had provided false information leading to an illegal search.
Indiana has a grim history of retaliation against informants. In 2014, a confidential informant in Lake County was shot and killed after his identity was leaked in a police report that was left unsecured. In 2019, a Gary, Indiana man was charged with murdering a woman he believed was cooperating with police.
These real-world consequences drive the extreme secrecy. Many police departments in Indiana require informants to sign nondisclosure agreements, and some use “blind informant” systems where even the officer handling the CI may not know their real name.
If a CI accuses a police officer of misconduct (e.g., coercion or non-payment), internal investigative files may be subject to disclosure—though often heavily redacted.
Releasing CI identities without authorization can lead to: