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Campbell Live speaks to former cop turned criminal

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Patrick O'Brien

Patrick O'Brien

video
Tue, 19 Feb 2008 12:00a.m.

Patrick O’Brien is the straight young man, who became a cop, an undercover cop and then a criminal.

To survive under cover, you have to be utterly convincing. And to be convincing you have got to join in for weeks, months and even years – day after day, doing whatever the people you are with are doing and living a lie.

Eventually you bust the people you are with. They go to jail and you go back to your normal life.

But Patrick O’Brien could not go back, in part, he had become the criminal he busted.

Campbell Live spoke to the cop who has been on the run for 30 years.

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Comments [10]

Dakta SiFFiN
09 Aug 2010 7:16p.m.

Good man, Just telling everyone how the New Zealand Police really work!!!

robert hand
20 Jun 2010 11:36p.m.

Very impressive man. Robert Hand Dublin Ireland

Patrick Mac Manus
18 Jun 2010 10:03a.m.

Patrick O’Brien is one of the good men we have...He stands on the side of the people. Patrick

Moren
12 Nov 2009 12:49p.m.

I stand behind Patrick and wish him all the best with his journey. He is a good man and should be applauded for his bravery and honesty..What has happend to him is no fault of his own , he was just doing his job...

God bless you Patrick x

FlyingWind
03 Mar 2008 3:51p.m.

And my other friend wrote to me too...

"I saw the Patrick video...very touching...
Must those who speak truth suffer for speaking it?
My PC or their program would not allow me to comment and have "My Say."
big hugs,
David"

FlyingWind
03 Mar 2008 2:13p.m.

My friend have sent me letter to place here as a comment...
Here it is...

"I was moved by his video and it only reinforced what I told you last week...he says it very clearly that he wants to rid himself of his guilt, and would rather face the risk of doing so than live any longer in the mental private pain that he has been forced to live with all of these years. I wish him love and support for reaching out and telling the truth to himself and to the world. I believe there is a much bigger point to be made here which is the fault of the government allowing people to be put in the dangerous undercover position in such a way-- that could cause a human being to turn against himself and his belief system. That is the source who truly who is to blame...not him. He was a innocent man put in the wrong place at the wrong time for far too long. He should be absolved of his crimes, but recognized for his strengths, however also placed in the public's eye to put a stop to the duration of undercover work which involves so much temptation and risk. I am not comfortable posting my views on th site since it requires that I provide my email- however you are welcome to copy my viewpoint and place it under a different email address. I am particular about my privacy, though feel strongly about my views. Love, Michele"

Katherine
28 Feb 2008 4:30p.m.

Patrick,
God bless you and give you strength.

I am truly amazed.

Vision
24 Feb 2008 5:27p.m.

What can i say? I don't have enough words for this. Such choice... such way... it's unbelievable! Patrick O'Brien, you're a Hero of Mankind! I can feel huge pain inside you... and FlyingWind is right. I can feel Great Love in you also. Your expirience, your pain, your love, your tears... it'll be usefull for some people. You've saved some lifes already! And you're not alone. Just remember that.
I'm with you.

FlyingWind
23 Feb 2008 3:45p.m.

What a life… What a story…
The Mystery… The Sacrifice…
Is that a Sacrifice?…
Why did you do this?..
What will happen next?..
So many questions…
And maybe no question at all…
But… I can see the Light in the eyes…
I can feel LOVE…
And I trust my feelings…
Here is my hand, Patrick O'Brien…
Hold on – it’s pretty strong one…

Mark
20 Feb 2008 1:22a.m.

A real story of great depth. A good man has spent his adult lifetime wrestling with his conscience, struggling with the realities of which is worse, good or evil. He sides against good, presenting the corrupt realities of the team made to look good, but the reality is often far from it. He wants to apologise to the bad guys for what he put them through. He tells how he was told to fabricate by the good guys so they would look good.

The size of the mans kahunas should not be underestimated. He will see no protection from police, and probably very little from the "crims" he is trying to make peace with.

He will find himself alone, even more alone than he is already, and he will need public support to investigate police corruption and the truth of what drives the police organisation. As he said he may get killed certainly persecuted.

This takes guts, I hope we stand by him while we hear his story out.

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