Explanations of cooperation between law enforcement agencies have primarily relied upon Old Boy Network' arguments. These are insufficient in an era which continues to juggle the conflicting pressures of traditional rights with the intrusive capabilities of Information Technology. This article draws expressly on Bob Hoogenboom's concept of ‘grey policing’ and constructs a structural understanding of Australian agency cooperation. In so doing it analyses the inherent tensions associated with the investigative need for in-depth and timely information, legal protection and agency organisational goals. Recognition is also given to the influence of contemporary political initiatives relating to organised crime and privacy. By highlighting the contemporary moves to increased data-matching it is argued that the trend towards intensive cooperation between police and other agencies has been established. — The trend towards what Hoogenboom refers to as the ‘police complex’. These findings draw attention to the merits and social harms associated with greater agency cooperation.
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