• Font Size    
E-mail

Close Window E-mail This Page

Report: Police Erred In Activist Surveillance

Required fields are marked with an asterisk(*)



The information you provide will be used only to send the requested e-mail and will not be used to send any other e-mail communications. Read more in our Privacy Policy

Send E-mail

   Print     Share +   

Report: Police Erred In Activist Surveillance

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) ― A report has concluded the Maryland State Police intruded on the ability of law-abiding residents to express themselves freely by conducting surveillance of anti-war and death-penalty opposition groups.

The review of the 14-month surveillance in 2005 and 2006 was conducted by former Maryland Attorney General Stephen Sachs. He spoke about the findings at a news conference with Gov. Martin O'Malley and Maryland State Police Superintendent Col. Terrence Sheridan.

Sachs says he found that police investigators believed they were seeking to protect the public from potential disturbances through the surveillance, but they failed to consider its impact on civil liberties.

The review makes several recommendations to address concerns about future violations. Sheridan says the state police have already started to implement the recommendations.

(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

WJZ.COM's Most Popular Slideshows

You need the latest Flash player to view video content.
Click here to download.

Click here to bypass this detection if you already have the latest Flash Player.