Spooks

gilly0512

This topic is somewhat related to another thread in which Metman was wondering about our favourite ES shows. Spooks is one of my favourite shows, and the reason I have started another thread on this, is I wanted to find out from Metman or other Met officers have they much dealings with real life spooks, and if so would they look down and avoid ordinary old coppers such as yourselves? Also who decides who is in charge of an investigation, for if say terrorists are holed up somwhere in London planning their normal evil deeds, who decides if the Met's counter terrorism units or MI5 go after these people? Finally do you think its is advantageous to have specialiased security agancies such as MI5, or would you prefer it if the Met were responsible for everything, something akin to AGS.

metman

gilly2308 wrote: »

I wanted to find out from Metman or other Met officers have they much dealings with real life spooks

Gilly, interesting question. MI5 not 9 to 5 etc. I can't obviously go into specifics, but will answer as best I can. Maybe other officers can add their own opinions....

Ordinarily no, the police have little interaction with the Security Service at street level. Depending on your role in the police, you may have more input from the Service or SIS.

if so would they look down and avoid ordinary old coppers such as yourselves?

I'm sure there's a certain amount of elitism within the security service, and I know there's professional rivlary with SIS.

Also who decides who is in charge of an investigation

Either its a police led investigation, or security service obtains intelligence (through one of their own investigations) that it then passes to police who then conduct the investigation. The police investigate. The Security Services (5, SIS, GCHQ, others) gather intelligence, that's their role.

who decides if the Met's counter terrorism units or MI5 go after these people?

Again, not really an issue. Both the police and security services conduct their own operations. If its a big enough job, intelligence is pooled. What you need to remember is that MI5 officers and SIS officers are civilians, and their agencies have no law enforcement powers. If the security service has intel on an address and needs it raided, they call in local police armed response to do the job.

Finally do you think its is advantageous to have specialiased security agancies such as MI5

Yes absolutely. Security Service, SIS and Police have uncovered and foiled something like 15 terrorist plots since 7/7.

or would you prefer it if the Met were responsible for everything, something akin to AGS.

No. I think having specialists in the field is a good idea. SO15 are a capable bunch no doubt, but SIS have a massive budget and operate specifically overseas, whereas the security service also have a massive budget, and operate...all over the place. The people who work for the intelligence services here are intelligent, talented individuals and entry to these agencies is ridiculously difficult.

For more info on the myths and misunderstandings surrounding 'Spooks' have a look here.

donvito99

Spooks is great, havent been able to see any of this seasons episodes this year apart from the first one.

gilly0512

donvito99 wrote: »

Spooks is great, havent been able to see any of this seasons episodes this year apart from the first one.

Metman thanks for your extremely detailed reply, certainly told me more than a few things that I was not aware of. I'm actually very surprised to hear that MI5 are civilians, that came as a big surprise, particularly since they are armed. Donvito99 its a shame that you have missed this particular series, as it reallly has been excellent, I think the last episode in the series was shown on BBC tonight, but I know RTE do show it as well, so they are probably a bit behind in episodes.

donvito99

gilly2308 wrote: »

RTE do show it as well,bit behind in episodes.

Cool, must see to it then.

480905

www.mi6.gov.uk

the real deal

eroo

http://media.mi6.gov.uk/selfselect/sis.html

My result was 7. You reckon I could just skip Templemore??

metman

gilly2308 wrote: »

Metman thanks for your extremely detailed reply, certainly told me more than a few things that I was not aware of. I'm actually very surprised to hear that MI5 are civilians, that came as a big surprise, particularly since they are armed.

Gilly, just to correct you there, no intelligence personnel are authorised to carry firearms here.

480905 wrote: »

www.mi6.gov.uk

the real deal

MI6, or SIS, is an entirely seperate organisation from MI5 (on which spooks is based). MI6 operates overseas, whereas MI5 activites are directed at internal security...in theory.

480905

eroo wrote: »

http://media.mi6.gov.uk/selfselect/sis.html

My result was 7. You reckon I could just skip Templemore??

No point. It'll take you a while to get the degree standards they require...........Plus they'll have your personal history dissected by now and know you better than you know yourself. Plus you might not have the mandatory citizenship requirements and therefore you'll be flagged for logging on to their site in the first place.

eroo

480905 wrote: »

No point. It'll take you a while to get the degree standards they require...........Plus they'll have your personal history dissected by now and know you better than you know yourself. Plus you might not have the mandatory citizenship requirements and therefore you'll be flagged for logging on to their site in the first place.

Dash my dreams of working in Kazakhstan why don't you!:rolleyes:

TheNog

eroo wrote: »

http://media.mi6.gov.uk/selfselect/sis.html

My result was 7. You reckon I could just skip Templemore??

I scored 8 but it took me a good 2-3 minutes to figure out how move onto the personal brief!!

480905 wrote: »

Plus they'll have your personal history dissected by now and know you better than you know yourself. Plus you might not have the mandatory citizenship requirements and therefore you'll be flagged for logging on to their site in the first place.

God damn it. Anyone know how to wipe porn off a computer???

They really should have a notice on the site.

Esel

^ Expect a caller at your door asking you to enrol in the Royal Society for the Protection of Badgers.