Covert operation
After working such free lifestyles, agents may have discipline problems or exhibit neurotic responses.  They may feel uncomfortable, and take a cynical, suspicious or even paranoid world view and feel continually on guard.
Other risks include capture, death and torture.

Plainclothes law enforcement: Undercover agents should not be confused with law enforcement officers who wear plainclothes—that is, to wear civilian clothing, instead of wearing a uniform, to avoid detection or identification as a law enforcement officer. However, plainclothes police officers typically carry normal police equipment and normal identification. Police detectives are assigned to wear plainclothes by not wearing the uniform typically worn by their peers. Police officers in plainclothes must identify themselves when using their police powers; however, they are not always required to identify themselves on demand and may lie about their status as a police officer in some situations (see sting operation).
Sometimes, police might drive an unmarked vehicle or a vehicle which looks like a taxi.

Controversies: 

Examples: 

See also: 

References: 

Further reading: Statutory Procedures Under Which Congress Is To Be Informed of U.S. Intelligence Activities, Including Covert Actions by Alfred Cumming, 18 January 2006 (HTML) – Congressional Research Service
Joh, Elizabeth (2009). "Breaking The Law To Enforce It: Undercover Police Participation in Crime" (PDF). Stanford Law Review.
Channel 4 (2011). Confessions of an Undercover Cop.{{cite book}}:  CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) Documentary about Mark Kennedy (policeman).
Hattenstone, Simon (25 March 2011). "Mark Kennedy: Confessions of an undercover cop". The Guardian.
Jeans, Chris (Director and Producer); Russell, Mike (Narrator) (1988). "Confessions of an Undercover Cop". America Undercover. HBO. Documentary featuring the work of ex-cop Mike Russell, whose undercover work for the New Jersey State Police led to the arrests of over 41 members of the Genovese crime family, and of corrupt prison officials and a state senator
Johnson, Loch K. The third option: covert action and American foreign policy (Oxford University Press, 2022).
Russell, Mike; Picciarelli, Patrick W. (6 August 2013). Undercover Cop: How I Brought Down the Real-Life Sopranos (First ed.). Thomas Dunne Books. ISBN 978-1-250-00587-8.
Whited, Charles (1973). The Decoy Man: The Extraordinary Adventures of an Undercover Cop. Playboy Press/Simon & Schuster. ASIN B0006CA0QG.

External links: RAW and Bangladesh
Richard Hersh Statement to House Judiciary Democratic Congressional Briefing, 20 January 2006 (HTML) via thewall.civiblog.org
Full Transcript, House Judiciary Democratic Membership Briefing "Constitution in Crisis: Domestic Surveillance and Executive Power" 20 January 2006 (HTML) via thewall.civiblog.org
"Big Brother is Watching You Part 1 – 902 MI Group TALON Project Summary, Spreadsheet, Rep. Wexler response, and News Coverage collection (includes Shane Harris's "TIA Lives On") via thewall.civiblog.org
Steath Network Operations Centre – Covert Communication Support System