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AT THE END OF MARCH 1971, AS A RESULT OF THE BURGLARY OF THE FBI OFFICE IN MEDIA, PENNSYLVANIA, THE AMERICAN PUBLIC HEAD FOR THE FIRST TIME OF THE EXISTENCE OF COINTELPRO, THE FBI'S SECRET "COUNTERINTELLIGENCE PROGRAM" DIRECTED AGAINST SUBVERSIVE AND EXTERMIST ELEMENTS AND AGENTS OF HOSTILE FOREIGN POWERS. NOW THAT THE HEAT AND THE CLAMOR HAVE DIED DOWN, THIS ARTICLE ATTEMPTS TO RE-EXAMINE THE ENTIRE QUESTION OF COINTELPRO IN A MORE DISPASSIONATE MANNER.

Acts of terrorist violence and foreign espionage may pose a serious threat to the security of the United States; yet recent disclosures demonstrate the great risk in giving an agency such as the FBI unlimited authority for gathering intelligence about terrorists and spies. Taking into account the findings and recommendations of the post-Watergate inquiries into FBI operations, John Elliff analyzes the legal and policy questions posed by a ""security police"" in a nation committed to constitutional government and the rule of law. The author draws on his experience both as principal consultan