What is the primary purpose of surveillance in law enforcement?

The primary purpose of surveillance in law enforcement is indeed to verify the reliability of received information. Surveillance allows law enforcement agencies to gather firsthand data concerning ongoing activities or suspects, which helps in confirming or refuting tips and reports received from various sources. This validation of information is crucial in building a case, as it ensures that actions taken by law enforcement are based on accurate and reliable evidence, rather than assumptions.

While officer safety, investigation of unsolved crimes, and traffic law enforcement are important aspects of law enforcement operations, they are not the primary focus of surveillance activities. Ensuring officer safety is a fundamental concern but is more related to operational tactics rather than the principle aim of surveillance. Investigating unsolved crimes may utilize surveillance techniques, but it does not define the primary function of surveillance. Similarly, enforcing traffic laws does not typically involve surveillance in the context of gathering intelligence or verifying information.