New York (N.Y.). Police Department. Bureau of Special Services

 Organization

Existence: circa 1950-1985

The Bureau of Special Services and Investigations (BOSSI; later known as Special Intelligence Services and also as the Special Services Division) was a unit within the New York City Police Department’s Intelligence Division that operated from 1950s to mid-1980s. The unit grew out of the Red Squad which was charged with documenting and monitoring communist activities. Around 1955 the unit became a bureau and expanded its investigations to include other groups considered to be potential security threats. In addition to local investigations the bureau collaborated with state and federal agencies in high level investigations and provided security detail for dignitaries and diplomats.

New York Police Department Intelligence Unit records

Collection REC-0044
Abstract: The New York Police Department Intelligence Unit records consists of surveillance records created and collected by the Intelligence Division of the Inspectional Services Bureau of the New York Police Department, circa 1930-2013. These records were part of the legal case, Handschu v. Special Services Division, and are commonly referred to as "Handschu." The collection is comprised of two groups of similar records: (ACC-2015-022) New York Police Department Intelligence Unit records, circa...
Dates: circa 1930-2013; bulk 1955-1973

New York Police Department surveillance films

Collection REC-0063
Abstract: Throughout the 20th century, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) conducted overt and covert surveillance on groups and individuals identified as potential security threats to the City. This collection comprises black and white 16 mm silent surveillance films. They were shot by the NYPD Photo Unit for Manhattan (PUM) for the Bureau of Special Services and Investigations (BOSSI). The subjects include a broad range of political activist groups and events from 1960 to 1980. The films are...
Dates: 1960-1980