Allocating roles in reconnaissance, keeping close to suspect (7)
I believe the answer is:
casting
'allocating roles' is the definition.
'in reconnaissance keeping close to suspect' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'in' is present in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
(Other definitions for casting that I've seen before include "Choosing actors" , "Shaping metal in mould" , "Shaping in mould; assigning actors to" , "Throwing" , "-- Vote; -- couch" .)