Cultivating a cadre of informants embedded in “groups of interest” costs peanuts and is remarkably effective at keeping tabs on specific individuals and maintaining up to date intelligence files.

A useful side benefit is the deterrent placed on such groups’ potential “plans of action” by their almost certain knowledge that they have been infiltrated and compromised. This latter bonus is probably especially acute in the case of what I imagine to be the characteristically amateurish [but empassioned] activist groups commonly encountered in NZ: the IRA they ain’t.

http://newzeal.blogspot.com/

Gilchrist was a provocateur. If these people weren’t breaking the law he put a lot of work into putting them up to stepping over the line. Perhaps he’d get a bonus when he succeeded. It’s been known to happen with undercover drug operatives.

If there’s been no outcry about “car scene groups” being infiltrated, or others who the police think might be worth watching, it’s probably because they haven’t twigged to it yet. No terrorists? Play sillybuggers chasing hoons ‘n hippies.

>>Hmm, besides the humour of the deadbeats getting reamed by one of their own…

>> WTF is the police force up to spying on a few stupid hippies?

Too many mustaches make policing a very strange place.

AKA Code Monkies. A thousand type writers etc.

eh?

WTF is the police force up to spying on a few stupid hippies?

It’s called intteligence and the same wankers who are up in arms of this “spying” are the first ones in the sackcloth and ashes que to bitch that the police should have known/done something about it before these people did whatever tiny brained dipshit stunt they pull off.

Meanwhile these self same “peaceful groups” have no issues about spying on others, entering other peoples property, damaging other peoples property, etc etc.

The difference being that the police are regulated and answerable.

oh well, another very very stupid protestor, and an even more stupid informer, mind you, if i was having to shag stupid hippies and hang out with Hagar and his mates, i’d probably set it up so i was sprung too…

of course spying on an opposition leader and publishing stolen emails is entirely different, isnt it?

Hagar is such a hypocrite, maybe if he took the silver spoon from his mouth and had to work for a living like the rest of us he might have a different approach?

It’s an easy offer to make if one of these fellas turns up on some random criminal charge and a routine background check reveals an active involvement in some “group of interest”. A quiet avuncular chat and an initial financial sweetner – and you own his 5 cent soul.

I hope the plausible deniablity checklist passes muster.

I just luuurve Ms Rees comment that her presumed ex beau was used by the police for over a decade – this sounds like a smoke screen.

Are ‘they’* worried their extra curricular activities have been spilt by their ‘mate’ to the coppers?

* Commies and the substandard crew.