Activists Decry NYPD Monitoring of Liberal Groups Politicians and civil rights activists say the New York Police Department abused its authority by monitoring political groups that posed no threat to New Yorkers. At a news conference Wednesday outside NYPD headquarters, City Councilman Jumaane (joo-MAH'-nee) Williams and others called for stronger oversight of the department's Intelligence Division. The activists were responding to a report last week by The Associated Press that undercover NYPD officers attended meetings of liberal political organizations. Interviews and documents showed the department also kept intelligence files on activists who planned protests around the country. An NYPD spokeswoman declined comment on Wednesday.