Thread: FBI Proposes Building Network of U.S. Informants

July 25, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (39)
FBI Proposes Building Network of U.S. Informants

July 25, 2007 1:01 PM

Justin Rood Reports:

Fbiproposesbu_mn_2 The FBI is taking cues from the CIA to recruit thousands of covert informants in the United States as part of a sprawling effort to boost its intelligence capabilities.

According to a recent unclassified report to Congress, the FBI expects its informants to provide secrets about possible terrorists and foreign spies, although some may also be expected to aid with criminal investigations, in the tradition of law enforcement confidential informants. The FBI did not respond to requests for comment on this story.

The FBI said the push was driven by a 2004 directive from President Bush ordering the bureau to improve its counterterrorism efforts by boosting its human intelligence capabilities.

The aggressive push for more secret informants appears to be part of a new effort to grow its intelligence and counterterrorism efforts. Other recent proposals include expanding its collection and analysis of data on U.S. persons, retaining years' worth of Americans' phone records and even increasing so-called "black bag" secret entry operations.

To handle the increase in so-called human sources, the FBI also plans to overhaul its database system, so it can manage records and verify the accuracy of information from "more than 15,000" informants, according to the document. While many of the recruited informants will apparently be U.S. residents, some informants may be overseas, recruited by FBI agents in foreign offices, the report indicates.

The total cost of the effort tops $22 million, according to the document.

Click Here for Full Blotter Coverage.

The bureau has arranged to use elements of CIA training to teach FBI agents about "Source Targeting and Development," the report states. The courses will train FBI special agents on the "comprehensive tradecraft" needed to identify, recruit and manage these "confidential human sources." According to January testimony by FBI Deputy Director John S. Pistole, the CIA has been working with the bureau on the course.

The bureau apparently mulled whether to adopt entire training courses from the CIA or from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), which like the CIA recruits spies overseas. But the FBI ultimately determined "the courses offered by those agencies would not meet the needs of the FBI's unique law enforcement." The FBI report said it would also give agents "legal and policy" training, noting that its domestic intelligence efforts are "constitutionally sensitive."

"It's probably a good sign they are not adopting CIA recruitment techniques wholesale," said Steven Aftergood of the Federation of American Scientists, an expert on classified programs. U.S. intelligence officers abroad can use bribery, extortion, and other patently illegal acts to corral sources into working for them, Aftergood noted. "You're not supposed to do that in the United States," he said.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/

push was driven by a 2004 directive wow that means we only have three years to wait for all the the ohter stuff bush has said he want done ....

Bush only pretends to want things done. He just puts it out there so everyone thinks he is acting in the best interest of the United States. Everyone knows better. I think he has got some mental stuff going on.

Paige, I'm not real sure bush boy as any mental stuff going on at all! There has to be mental activity to have stuff.

how many illegals will be sheltered due to this? More than likely just another way to give legal status to more illegals.

I do know the CIA recruits at the colleges. Here is an email from 2005 that I received.

Interested in a career with the CIA's Clandestine Service? The Career Center has invited David Lincoln, a recruiter for CIA's Clandestine Service, to visit the UNCA campus on Monday, March 21st, 2005 for a 6PM presentation in HU-104, the Swannanoa Room!

This 20-30 minute presentation followed by an open floor for questions is designed to describe CIA's overall mission and then focuses on the Clandestine Service. Mr. Lincoln is a career Clandestine Service operations officer who has spent most of his career overseas and can speak in general terms about the work from personal experience. He will cover the application process, the kinds of people for whom we are looking, general screening requirements as well as provide an outline of entry level positions in the Clandestine Service. The CIA is currently recruiting for entry level positions, looking for U.S. citizens not older than 35 who either possess at least a bachelor's degree or will be awarded one by the time they are hired. Applicants should expect extensive physical, psychological and security related screening. Integrity, honesty, good judgment and commitment to our nation's national security are essential. They like to see applicants with an overall 3.0 GPA or better. Knowledge of foreign languages, past foreign travel, excellent people skills and solid writing skills are all qualities they look for in candidates. They currently have four entry level positions -- Operations Officer, Collection Management Officer, Staff Operations Officer and Special Skills Officer -- which will be further explained in the presentation. Salaries range from the high $30,000 to the low $60,000 range depending upon education and experience. Individuals interested should plan to attend this presentation, resumes are welcomed but anyone wishing to officially start the application process will be required to apply online at: www.cia.gov

Originally Posted by jp_48504

July 25, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (39)
FBI Proposes Building Network of U.S. Informants

July 25, 2007 1:01 PM

Justin Rood Reports:

Fbiproposesbu_mn_2 The FBI is taking cues from the CIA to recruit thousands of covert informants in the United States as part of a sprawling effort to boost its intelligence capabilities.

According to a recent unclassified report to Congress, the FBI expects its informants to provide secrets about possible terrorists and foreign spies, although some may also be expected to aid with criminal investigations, in the tradition of law enforcement confidential informants. The FBI did not respond to requests for comment on this story.

The FBI said the push was driven by a 2004 directive from President Bush ordering the bureau to improve its counterterrorism efforts by boosting its human intelligence capabilities.

The aggressive push for more secret informants appears to be part of a new effort to grow its intelligence and counterterrorism efforts. Other recent proposals include expanding its collection and analysis of data on U.S. persons, retaining years' worth of Americans' phone records and even increasing so-called "black bag" secret entry operations.

To handle the increase in so-called human sources, the FBI also plans to overhaul its database system, so it can manage records and verify the accuracy of information from "more than 15,000" informants, according to the document. While many of the recruited informants will apparently be U.S. residents, some informants may be overseas, recruited by FBI agents in foreign offices, the report indicates.

The total cost of the effort tops $22 million, according to the document.

Click Here for Full Blotter Coverage.

The bureau has arranged to use elements of CIA training to teach FBI agents about "Source Targeting and Development," the report states. The courses will train FBI special agents on the "comprehensive tradecraft" needed to identify, recruit and manage these "confidential human sources." According to January testimony by FBI Deputy Director John S. Pistole, the CIA has been working with the bureau on the course.

The bureau apparently mulled whether to adopt entire training courses from the CIA or from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), which like the CIA recruits spies overseas. But the FBI ultimately determined "the courses offered by those agencies would not meet the needs of the FBI's unique law enforcement." The FBI report said it would also give agents "legal and policy" training, noting that its domestic intelligence efforts are "constitutionally sensitive."

"It's probably a good sign they are not adopting CIA recruitment techniques wholesale," said Steven Aftergood of the Federation of American Scientists, an expert on classified programs. U.S. intelligence officers abroad can use bribery, extortion, and other patently illegal acts to corral sources into working for them, Aftergood noted. "You're not supposed to do that in the United States," he said.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/

Big Brother is watching!!!

Applicants should expect extensive physical, psychological and security related screening. Integrity, honesty, good judgment and commitment to our nation's national security are essential. They like to see applicants with an overall 3.0 GPA or better. Knowledge of foreign languages, past foreign travel, excellent people skills and solid writing skills are all qualities they look for in candidates.

George Bush would not have qualified for this job.