Oversight and Its Implications

Oversight of state and local intelligence activities is mostly ad hoc and informal. It is generally conducted through the LEA’s chain of command, although some departments have “outside” review bodies, such the LAPD’s civilian committee approving undercover operations. The courts have not been active in overseeing state and local activities. That may be in large part because most intelligence gathering—especially that not predicated on a crime having been committed—is done by federal officials, through federal authorizations, which is only sometimes done in cooperation with state and local officials. Thus, this chapter first looks at one particular—and particularly