September 1, 2004
NYPD TARU
If you spend any time looking at photos of the protests, you'll see police officers in blue polo shirts marked "TARU" videotaping the crowds. Officers wearing TARU windbreakers also help with the barricades.
TARU stands for Technical Assistance Response Unit. According to NYPD's website, TARU "provides investigative technical equipment and tactical support to all bureaus within the department, in addition they also provide assistance to other City, State and Federal agencies."
Given the Big-Brother-ish aspects of a government agency videotaping its citizens in public, TARU is not without its critics. There used to be a board called the Hansdschu Authority that would permit, on a case-by-case basis, the NYPD to videotape public events. After 9/11, that board was dissolved, and TARU is now free to tape anyone they want.
More on Handschu from the 12/18/02 Village Voice.
categories:
NYPD, Special Events: RNC 2004
posted by adm at September 1, 2004 7:41 AM
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