NYPD Secret Police, not just in NYC anymore
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2011 9:11 am
Proxy spies to skirt Federal law, with a wink and a nod from government officials. They know they're breaking the law so they destroy evidence and don't take cases to court. Trolling and fishing expeditions with no probable cause or even mild suspicion. The article doesn't say, but maybe this is the same spy squad that Bloomy sends to gun shows?
Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the NYPD has become one of the country's most aggressive domestic intelligence agencies. A months-long investigation by The Associated Press has revealed that the NYPD operates far outside its borders and targets ethnic communities in ways that would run afoul of civil liberties rules if practiced by the federal government. And it does so with unprecedented help from the CIA in a partnership that has blurred the bright line between foreign and domestic spying.
The department has gotten some of its officers deputized as federal marshals, allowing them to work out of state. But often, there's no specific jurisdiction at all. Cohen's undercover squad, the Special Services Unit, operates in places such as New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, officials said.
During the convention, when protesters were arrested, police asked a list of questions which, according to court documents, included: "What are your political affiliations?" ''Do you do any kind of political work?" and "Do you hate George W. Bush?"
I guess now they'd ask if you support the Tea Party and hate Barrack Obama.
Edited to add link I spaced out and forgot to include to start with:
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=14368992
Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the NYPD has become one of the country's most aggressive domestic intelligence agencies. A months-long investigation by The Associated Press has revealed that the NYPD operates far outside its borders and targets ethnic communities in ways that would run afoul of civil liberties rules if practiced by the federal government. And it does so with unprecedented help from the CIA in a partnership that has blurred the bright line between foreign and domestic spying.
The department has gotten some of its officers deputized as federal marshals, allowing them to work out of state. But often, there's no specific jurisdiction at all. Cohen's undercover squad, the Special Services Unit, operates in places such as New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, officials said.
During the convention, when protesters were arrested, police asked a list of questions which, according to court documents, included: "What are your political affiliations?" ''Do you do any kind of political work?" and "Do you hate George W. Bush?"
I guess now they'd ask if you support the Tea Party and hate Barrack Obama.
Edited to add link I spaced out and forgot to include to start with:
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=14368992