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Doubt police ease spying { February 21 2003 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_1760729,00.html http://rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_1760729,00.html Some doubt police will cease spying By Kevin Vaughan, Rocky Mountain News February 21, 2003 A tough policy on police intelligence gathering is no guarantee that officers won't violate the rights of peaceful, law-abiding citizens. That was the sentiment of several of those who spoke during more than 2 ½ hours of testimony at a public hearing Thursday night on Denver's "spy files" controversy. "Putting the right words in the right order in a policy is not enough," said Mark Silverstein, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado. "You can't draft the right policy and then put it in a drawer and forget about it." He and others told the Public Safety Review Commission that Denver needs a specific policy on intelligence gathering as well as extensive training for officers and independent oversight to prevent a recurrence of the current controversy. The city has been sued by groups and individuals who contend their constitutional rights were violated when police officers watched them at public protests. "No policy is going to be effective absent real accountability of the Denver Police Department to the citizens of this city," said Mark Cohen, one of the more than 3,000 individuals who is the subject of an intelligence file. The commission has limited powers to investigate complaints against Denver police officers and sheriff's deputies. It can suggest discipline but cannot impose it. Commission members took the testimony under advisement and expect to meet again soon to discuss their next step. Speakers suggested several ways the city could prevent abuses in the future: • Adopt a strongly worded policy that spells out the specific circumstances in which police officers are allowed to gather intelligence on individuals and groups. • Establish a system of independent oversight. Several of those who spoke said the Public Safety Review Commission's powers should be greatly expanded to give it independent investigative powers. • Create a mechanism to mete out discipline if abuses occur. Although the police department was roundly criticized throughout the hearing, the sentiment was not unanimous. Lisa Dobson, a neighborhood activist who has worked frequently with Denver officers, said intelligence gathering serves a legitimate law enforcement function. "Intelligence gathered today on an as-yet innocent civilian could prevent the next Harris and Klebold tragedy," Dobson said. "Or the next Timothy McVeigh." vaughank@RockyMountainNews.com or (303) 892-5019

Denver cops violated rights { April 20 1999 } Denver halt spy files activists { April 17 2003 } Doubt police ease spying { February 21 2003 } New spy policy challenged { February 21 2003 } Pentagon spying on americans Files Listed: 5

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