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Ep 2 - Crossing the Line
Description
UNDERCOVER
Ep 2 - Crossing the Line
At what point does an undercover agent stop being a cop, and become a criminal? Can a cop really infiltrate New Zealand’s tightest gangs? And what happens if he is suspected? “You’ve gotta do what everyone else is doing, to maintain your cover.” (Ex agent).
In the early 80s, the New Zealand Police Undercover Programme had become a sophisticated crime-fighting tool, taking on some of the country’s toughest criminals. But what was happening to the agents living the lie? “You terminate as an Undercover cop then go undercover in the police.” (Ex agent).
Undercover: Crossing the Line – Episode Two of the Gibson Group’s compelling three-part documentary series – covers the controversial policy of sending undercover agents into some of New Zealand’s deadliest gangs during the 1980s. While living undercover became an adrenaline rush for many agents, it also took a very personal toll on some. Undercover: Crossing the Line also explores the casualties of the New Zealand Police Undercover Programme, including ex-agent and convicted heroin importer Wayne Haussmann. “We were living as a crim, but in your mind you’re still a cop.” (Ex agent). Using candid interviews with former agents and their operators, along with dramatic stylisations of key stories, Undercover: Crossing the Line delves into what it really means to work as an undercover agent. How did it affect their personal relationships? Could they still trust people the same way? What skills were absolutely essential for the job? What did it take to tell that first lie? Undercover: Crossing the Line reveals an Undercover Programme on the brink of change. Something needed to be done to stop the string of casualties coming out of undercover work drug addicted and disaffected.
