New York police records to remain secret

NEW YORK, June 9 (UPI) -- A panel of federal judges said Wednesday New York does not have to disclose documents regarding surveillance related to the 2004 GOP National Convention.

Three judges from the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down an federal judge's ruling earlier that the city must release 1,800 pages of records of police surveillance -- including overseas operations and officers' identities -- that culminated in the mass arrests of protesters on Aug. 31, 2004, The New York Times reported.

The decision, written by Judge Jose A. Cabranes and joined by Judges Debra A. Livingston and Richard C. Wesley, struck down plaintiffs' lawyers requests for the documents, saying a "law enforcement privilege" offset the public's need to see the documents.

"We are gratified the court recognized that plaintiffs have no compelling need for these sensitive materials -- which reveal the identities of undercover officers," said Celeste Koeleveld, the City Law Department's lead counsel for public safety.