Tucked away inside the NYPD’s headquarters in downtown Manhattan is a high-tech command center that feels more like something out of a spy movie than a city police department. This is the Intelligence Bureau — a powerful and secretive division that combines street cops, FBI agents, foreign liaisons, and a touch of CIA influence. It’s part police unit, part intelligence agency, and its mission goes far beyond fighting local crime.
Since the 9/11 attacks, the NYPD has transformed this division into its own mini-intelligence agency, with officers stationed in over a dozen countries gathering information to help protect New York City. But this powerhouse of surveillance and counterterrorism operates with very little oversight. The City Council has no control over it, and just one civilian representative is tasked with keeping its investigations in check.
This delicate oversight system dates back to the 1980s, when activists sued the NYPD for illegal surveillance and intimidation. They won, and a judge established rules meant to protect New Yorkers’ political rights. But after 9/11, those rules were weakened. The Intelligence Bureau launched a controversial surveillance campaign targeting Muslim communities, infiltrating mosques and recruiting informants — actions that violated constitutional rights and sparked national outrage.
The situation seemed to improve when new guidelines were reinstated and Muhammad Faridi, a New York attorney, was appointed as the civilian watchdog for the bureau. But Faridi has since raised alarm bells, warning that the Intelligence Bureau’s collaboration with the FBI through the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) could lead to even more abuses of power.
The JTTF is a partnership between federal and local law enforcement agencies designed to handle terrorism cases. Critics argue that it often targets activists and communities of color under the guise of national security. Faridi cautioned that NYPD officers working with the JTTF follow federal guidelines, not the more protective local rules, which means they could bypass safeguards meant to protect New Yorkers’ rights.
The Intelligence Bureau’s close ties with federal agencies go even deeper. Past reports revealed that CIA officers had worked within the NYPD, helping shape its surveillance programs. While those CIA officers have since left, the current leadership still includes former FBI agents, raising concerns about the division’s loyalty and the extent of federal influence.
Despite warnings from watchdogs and civil rights advocates, this powerful collaboration between the NYPD and federal agencies remains largely unchecked. As the Intelligence Bureau continues to expand its reach, many fear that New Yorkers’ civil liberties could once again be at risk.
