Cop or Comrade? Accountability Deficits in Police Covert Operations Targeting Activist Groups

Abstract

There is growing evidence that covert police operations involving surveillance and infiltration are expanding beyond a traditional undercover criminal investigation to target activist groups. Due to the nature of such activity and the legal uncertainty around police powers of this kind it is difficult to know when democratic rights are being undermined. This paper argues that if such police practice is occurring, the potential legal, political and administrative accountability mechanisms are inadequate in both their availability and effectiveness. While the current climate of security inhibits public disapproval of police spying, it is apparent that more robust legal standards are needed to prevent abuses of public power.