Scott Payne

But in our world, the definition, true definition of undercover is building relationships that you're most likely, you're going to betray them.

But for me personally, and I'm not saying this is the way to do it at all, but what would happen with me, especially on those long-term, deep undercover cases, is I'm bonding with people.

then those relationships are pretty legit.

And to this day, people I have put in jail, gathered evidence against, they reach out to me or I'll reach out to them when they're out and I'm friends.

I am a huge second, third, fourth, fifth chance person.

If I didn't get 15 or 20 chances, I wouldn't be where I'm at.

And look, I've said it to so many people that I've arrested over my 28 year career.

I'm like, I'm not saying I think you're a bad person.

I'm not saying I even disagree with what you did.

What I'm saying is you're an adult and you made a choice to break the law and you got caught.

And that's where we're at right now.

I committed all kinds of crimes when I was younger.

I didn't get arrested.

Had I gotten arrested, charged and convicted, I would not be where I'm at.

I would not be able to be a cop or an FBI agent.

But a success story, man, I love them.

A success story would be you realize the area of your ways and you're turning yourself around.

Or maybe we didn't even arrest you.

Maybe we just interviewed you and you almost got wrapped up in the conspiracy, but you didn't.

And that was enough to turn you around.