Vol. 7 No. 1 Cheyenne (Jarvis) Jones • 17 negative effects of undercover police operations, such operations are too crucial to the criminal justice system to discard altogether. Thus, this study focuses on solutions that can make undercover operations safer for the officers involved. The solutions presented in this study include longer training programs and required, additional supplemental training through outside sources; dismantling the mental health stigma in law enforcement and implementing mental health resources for officers; and allowing officers to take time off in order to recover and heal from mental health problems. These solutions are reiterated through Macleod’s statement, which beautifully summarizes the importance of implementing procedures that would improve the undercover officer’s experiences: Casualties will occur in dangerous and stressful environments, but their frequency and severity might be able to be reduced not only by good selection, but also by adequate field training, an efficient and competent operator and operation, and early detection and treatment of those struggling or overtly symptomatic (1995). The findings in this study indicate that there are available alternatives and solutions for departments and agencies to take advantage of that would prevent unnecessary, additional harm for many undercover officers. Of course, each department and agency has individual needs; however, the solutions presented are not mutually exclusive. A department or agency’s statistics may not indicate a need for additional mental health resources, but they may need improved training for their undercover officers. It is by design that departments will be able to use the solutions that would provide the most benefit to their individual needs. It is also important for departments to continuously monitor and assess the conditions within their department to determine if additional minor adjustments or larger changes need to be made. Law enforcement exists within an environment that is constantly evolving; thus, the departments, agencies, and officers must evolve alongside the environment. Due to the nature of undercover operations, it is important to recognize that the results of this research will not be able to be applied universally to all departments and agencies nationwide. There are numerous variables that can impact the effectiveness of the proposed solutions. Undercover operations vary in length and intensity, thus impacting officers differently on a case-bycase basis. The characteristics of the individual officer and particular operation will, therefore, create unique reactions from those involved. Some officers may react strongly to their time undercover, while others may hardly react at all, or it may take officers years to react and develop the effects of their operation. The atmosphere and surrounding environment of a department or agency will also impact the effectiveness of the proposed solutions. Larger departments and agencies may have greater resources to enact a greater scope of changes, whereas a smaller
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