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Independent Investigation: SCPD Violated Civil Rights Of Organizers

by Just Us
"In my opinion, the Santa Cruz Police Department violated the Last Night DIY Parade organizers' rights to privacy, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly in the manner in which they went about obtaining information about the organizers' activities." Bob Aaronson, Police Department Auditor.
indy_investigation_mar_21.pdf_600_.jpg
News, finally, after weeks of silence on the police spying issue. The Independent Investigation into Santa Cruz police spying was released today. This focused on an undercover police infiltration of a group planning an unpermitted New Year's Eve parade in Santa Cruz, California.

The conclusion that the police auditor drew was that while the SCPD officers may not have violated any local laws or policies, they more than likely violated the civil rights of parade organizers. Quoting from conclusions on page 32 of the report: "In my opinion, the Santa Cruz Police Department violated the Last Night DIY Parade organizers' rights to privacy, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly in the manner in which they went about obtaining information about the organizers' activities."

We are still pushing the Santa Cruz City Council for strong limits on police power and protection for people's civil liberties. A special meeting of the Public Safety Committee will be meeting within the next two weeks to discuss the results of the investigation.

The report is available at Kinko's downtown for copying (about 40 pages), and available below as a PDF.
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by JU
Audit: Police violated civil rights with New Year's Eve undercover operation
Santa Cruz Sentinel - March 22, 2006

SANTA CRUZ — Police "more than likely" violated the civil rights of community members when officers went undercover to gather details about a New Year's Eve parade, according to a report released Tuesday by an independent auditor.
by gh
pacific_12-31-05.jpg
More press on the police auditor's report critical of the SCPD. Be prepared in the next two weeks to come to a special meeting of the city council's public safety committee where they will be taking public comment on new policies that should be adopted by the council. More news as we have it. -Rico

Auditor criticizes Santa Cruz police for spying
By Ken McLaughlin
Mercury News - Wed, Mar. 22, 2006
Santa Cruz police ``more than likely'' violated the civil rights of organizers of a zany New Year's Eve Parade by using undercover officers to monitor their planning meetings, according to the city's police auditor...

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/14162387.htm

Good to hear that at least some fact finding happened. Just the tip of the iceberg for sure.
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