41 Part 1 a more experienced officer and is able to carry out some supporting role, where appropriate. This is usually not possible for informants, but they should be given suitable advice; • Undercover agents must also undergo training that sensitizes them to the specific cultural, social and religious environment in which they are going to operate; • Similarly, undercover agents must undergo gender awareness training to raise their awareness of the different needs of men and women within different cultural contexts; • Every aspect of the operation must be carefully planned and potential risks thoroughly assessed; • Undercover agents must be clear on what they are authorized to do at any particular time; • Undercover agents must not provide an opportunity to commit an offence to a person they do not reasonably suspect to be engaged in criminal activities. Where they have such reasonable suspicion, they should not induce the commission of an offence where the person had no pre-existing intent of committing it; • They must also be familiar with the rules that govern their own conduct when the possibility arises that they might commit an illegal act. It is often difficult to predict what may happen during contact with suspects. Agents must be able to use their initiative, but proper selection of people with the appropriate skills, thorough training and comprehensive briefing, should seek to keep such problems to a minimum; • Undercover agents must be able to contact a handler or controller in order to obtain advice, support or assistance at very short notice. Depending on the nature of the operation and the stage the investigation has reached, a support team able to intervene and extract agents from danger may need to be immediately available. The means of contact and the level of support will also depend on the circumstances at the time; • Regular psychological assessment of undercover officers should be the norm; • Counselling and support should be available to the undercover agent and, depending on the circumstances, to informants as well. The role is emotionally draining and can have a substantial adverse effect on personal and family life, especially if it is carried out for a lengthy period; and