Judge rules NYPD settlement on Muslim surveillance doesn't go far enough

A federal judge has rejected New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio's proposal to appoint a civilian monitor for the New York Police Department's counter-terrorism units, saying it doesn't go far enough.

The proposal was part of a lawsuit settlement rejected by U.S. District Judge Charles S. Haight Jr. on Tuesday; the suit was filed after it came to light in 2011 that the NYPD, assisted by the CIA and undercover informants, conducted surveillance of Muslims in New York and New Jersey mosques, religious bookstores, and other locations. The plaintiffs said their rights were violated, and in January, a settlement was reached, pending approval from a judge. Under de Blasio's proposal, the monitor would report violations to the police commissioner and the mayor would have the power to cut the position after five years. The judge said the monitor should file quarterly reports to the court.

Haight ruled that the "proposed role and powers of the civilian representative do not furnish sufficient protection from potential violations of the constitutional rights of those law-abiding Muslims and believers in Islam who live, move, and have their being in this city." Now, the parties need to renegotiate the settlement or the matter will go to court. The NYPD inspector general recently released a report that found the department violated several regulations, including using informants without authorization for extended periods of time.

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