Krazy Cahleefohrneeah, eh?
Federal authorities may now have broad powers under the USA Patriot Act to monitor the public in its fight against terrorism, but guidelines distributed last month by the California attorney general's office contradict the surveillance methods used by federal agencies -- and advise local police to observe stricter state limits when it comes to spying on the public. "Put bluntly, it is a mistake of constitutional dimension to gather information for a criminal intelligence file where there is no reasonable suspicion" of criminal activity, the guidelines state. ...The guidelines [are] entitled "Criminal Intelligence Systems: A California Perspective,"
Although it seems that the Fresno Sheriff's Department is fairly unimpressed and will keep to business as usual.
The department is aware of Lockyer's guidelines, "but the attorney general's document does not dictate how we will operate," said Lieutenant Marty Rivera. "We feel we are following those guidelines."
*ahem* Marty, this is not about your feelings. And, correct me if I'm wrong, isn't that what a state AG is for? It is good to question authority. Keeps all of us on our toes. ThanQ! Drudge Report
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