NYPD fights Justice for terrorist surveillance warrants

The New York Police Department is struggling with the U.S. Justice Department over the process to obtain a warrant from the special Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court before it can begin electronic monitoring of people suspected of spying or terrorism. New York's police argue that Justice Department lawyers impose a needlessly high standard to be certain that every surveillance application submitted to the court would be approved. As a local police force, New York's Police Department cannot apply directly for surveillance warrants, but must seek them through the F.B.I. and the Justice Department.

See, "New York Police Fight With U.S. on Surveillance," November 20, 2008, at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/20/washington/20terror.html?pagewanted=1&ref=todayspaper.