The civil rights lawyers want a federal judge to appoint an outside monitor to oversee the NYPD's intelligence-gathering operations, which the police department is strongly resisting.

WSJ: NYPD messages to Muslim informant: 'Get pictures'

Among other things, the inquiry led to the creation of a behind-the-lines intelligence-gathering organizer of anti-Nazi operations, the Office of Strategic Services, which was the precursor to the Central Intelligence Agency.

FORBES: Fact and Comment

Successful Special Operations require a significant intelligence-gathering apparatus on the ground and close proximity to launch raids with little warning time.

WSJ: Max Boot: Bin Laden's Death Changes Little