1160: Tegan Broadwater | How a White Cop Infiltrated the Crips Part One

Street Cred

Establishing credibility is crucial for undercover agents infiltrating gangs. Tegan Broadwater shares how he used his unique identity to stand out, rather than blend in, which surprisingly helped him gain more information 1. He describes a tactic where he pretended to bankroll a younger associate, creating a dynamic similar to a poker game where he appeared to be the cautious player with resources 2. Broadwater emphasizes the importance of maintaining a cautious demeanor to match the suspicions of those he interacted with, effectively using their own wariness against them 3.

I'm pretending like I'm trying to be the one that's being extra cautious.

--- Tegan Broadwater

This approach allowed him to navigate the dangerous environments of gang territories while building trust and gathering intelligence.

   

Identity

Managing a false identity is a delicate balance between authenticity and deception. Broadwater explains that successful undercover work often involves maintaining a personality close to one's own to avoid the stress of remembering fabricated details 4. He highlights the importance of trust, noting that criminals often don't know each other's full names, which he used to his advantage by refusing to divulge too much personal information 5. This strategy not only protected his cover but also reinforced his credibility among gang members.

You don't ask me anything. If you want to do business, cool. If you don't want a business, also cool.

--- Tegan Broadwater

By leveraging these tactics, Broadwater was able to maintain his cover and gather crucial evidence without compromising his safety.

   

Drug Deals

Navigating drug deals requires a deep understanding of the drug trade's dynamics and the ability to adapt quickly. Broadwater shares how he avoided dealing with crack cocaine to move up the supply chain and target higher-level suppliers 6. He also discusses the challenges posed by outdated surveillance technology, which often required improvisation to avoid detection 7. Despite these hurdles, Broadwater's strategic approach allowed him to effectively gather intelligence and build cases against gang members.

I both benefit and lose some traction. And the benefit was things like that, because that was still the word on the street.

--- Tegan Broadwater

His ability to navigate these high-stakes environments was crucial in his undercover operations.