City Council And National Security: Oversight Of Local Counterterrorism And Security Intelligence

Following 11 September 2001, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) established and expanded counterterrorism and security intelligence capacities to an extent unprecedented for an American local government. These powers necessitated new legislative oversight responsibilities. While the NYPD's efforts to address terrorism have received scholarly attention, City Council oversight of those efforts has not. This study helps fill that gap by examining the amount and nature of City Council - specifically the Committee on Public Safety - oversight hearings pertaining to terrorism and its mitigation. It also discusses additional City Council oversight options and needed research directions.