The architecture of surveillance is hidden behind the fallacy of the community policing model. This model fails to examine the covert and dishonest relationships police create with community members, organizations, and other stakeholders. Social service agencies, public housing, and even missions and churches are increasingly subjected to lectures from police “experts” who ask for cooperation, partnership, and communication.
However another component of Surveillance tactics used by LAPD is the Anti-Terrorism Intelligence Section: Intelligence Gathering Guidelines. In September 2012 the Los Angeles Police Commission approved new guidelines for intelligence gathering on political groups and others engaged in social justice work. Under new guidelines-LAPD can place informants in an organization for 180 days based on one tip. LAPD officers can also take on fictitious personas.
This policy inherently criminalizes an organization while secretly collecting information. If community policing is all about relationship why is LAPD spying on communities. Why are unidentified police officers disrupting social media and communication, befriending friends of friends to seek out “potential criminals.” Police have even arrested people for “anti-police” comments on social media. This ultimately has a chilling effect: limiting open speech and discussion, and discouraging organizing for change.
