NJ senator seeks US investigation of NYPD spying

NEWARK, N.J. - February 23, 2012 (WPVI) -- U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez is asking federal authorities to investigate the New York Police Department's surveillance of Muslim communities in New Jersey.

The New Jersey senator sent a letter Thursday to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and CIA Director David Petraeus, saying he is deeply concerned by reports from The Associated Press that show the NYPD conducted widespread surveillance of Muslims in Newark and monitored Muslim student groups at Rutgers University and other Northeast colleges.

The letter asks whether appropriate procedures and protocols were followed with regard to informing New Jersey law enforcement officials.

Menendez is the first U.S. senator known to make such a request, though 34 members of Congress have asked the Department of Justice for a similar investigation.

Justice Department officials have said they're reviewing the request.

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