Imperium (2016) is a high-intensity crime thriller starring Daniel Radcliffe as a newbie undercover agent, Nate Foster and Toni Collette as FBI case agent Angela Zamparo. The script was based on the experiences of FBI agent Michael German, who spent a year undercover with white supremacists.
Movie Premise: A young, idealistic FBI agent, eager to prove himself in the field, goes undercover to take down a radical right-wing, white supremacist terrorist group.
This movie’s highlights of violence by radical right-wing white supremacists is especially unsettling. Instead of just showing hate crimes through the actions and words of the actors, images of the horrors of real-life racist ideology events and of the faces of mass shooters convicted of murdering victim based solely on their race and religion are constantly being flashed onto the screen. The constant reminders of real-world evil shook me.
The word imperium means supreme power or absolute dominion, and in the movie, white supremacist groups, such as skinheads, neo-Nazis, the KKK, and the Aryan Nations, are provided plenty of screen time to spew their hate.
A specific line of dialogue stood out as especially unsettling and pertinent. “Diversity is a code word. And what it means is white genocide.” Wow! Is that really how they feel? So disturbing.
I view FBI films for teachable moments about FBI policies, procedures, and programs. Imperium offers an opportunity to review the FBI’s undercover training program.
Unfortunately, in the movie, first-time undercover agent Nate Foster is on his own. He is plucked from his desk in the corner of the domestic terrorism squad and, sporting a fresh crew cut, is thrust into the arms of the skinheads.
That’s not how it works. Those interested in serving as an undercover employee (UCE) must first apply to attend undercover certification training. Note: to acknowledge that, in addition to agents, task force officers may also serve in undercover operations, the acronym UCA is no longer used. If accepted, the UCEs undergo a vigorous two-week course where stress invoking scenarios and sleep deprivation tests their ability to work under pressure. Some decide undercover work is not from them after all, and tap out midway through the training. Others are asked to leave, which is much better than them learning they’re not cut out to be a UCE while deep into an undercover role.
Once out in the field, Safeguard is a major lifeline. The unit is responsible for the management and retention of effective undercovers.
The unique experiences of these undercover employees place them at risk for psychological injury, disciplinary actions, and other adverse personal and professional consequences. Leadership commitment is cited as being critical to the effectiveness of the UCE safeguard process. (Credit: FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin – Safeguarding Undercover Employees: A Strategy for Success)
The use of an UCE is considered only after other covert investigative methods and tools—such as the use of informants, consensual monitoring, and electronic surveillance—have been explored. Before an undercover agent can be introduced into an investigation, authorization from FBI Headquarters (FBIHQ) must be obtained. The case agent prepares a Group I or II undercover proposal that is first submitted to the SAC of the division for preliminary approval, with the concurrence of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The undercover proposal outlines the predication that initiated the opening of the case and the anticipated outcome of the proposed scenario.
Once the undercover committee in the field approves, then it’s sent up the chain for FBIHQ authorization. (Excerpt from FBI Myths and Misconceptions – Undercover Agents Run Their Cases)
In Imperium, our hero, SA Foster, is supported by the case agent of the investigation, SA Zamparo, her supervisor, not so much. The movie accurately depicts that the case agent is the person who chooses the undercover to assist in moving the investigation forward. Although undercover agents play a vital role, the case agent is in charge of the investigation.
It might help to look at the case agent as the casting agent, producer, and director of the investigation and the UCE as the actor playing a role. The case agent provides a script to the UCE, outlining the objective of the undercover scenario. Are they seeking to buy drugs, record incriminating statements, or perhaps identify additional targets? Of course, the UCE can improvise and alter the script as appropriate.
The case agent handles everything behind the scenes that makes it possible for the UCE to do his or her job. At the same time, the case agent is juggling all the other aspects of the investigation, such as documenting surveillances, wiretaps, and contacts with witnesses and subjects, as well as maintaining expense reports. (Excerpt from FBI Myths and Misconceptions – Undercover Agents Run Their Cases)
There are investigation where the introduction of a UCE is deemed improbable and the use of an informant or confidential source is more appropriate. For the integrity of the case and the safety of the source, similar procedures and monitoring are required.
By the way, I appreciate how the character of SA Angela Zamparo is depicted as a married mother with two young daughters.
To learn more about the infiltration of radical white supremacist groups, listen to these FBI Retired Case File Review episodes:
082: Tym Burkey – Aryan Nations Hate Group, White Supremacy Extremists
289: Scott Payne – Undercover White Supremacist
Imperium is currently streaming on Fandango. You can view the movie trailer here.
