ACLU: Univ. of Wash. police spied on activists

The University of Washington says it's adding training for its police after the American Civil Liberties Union came forward with further evidence that an officer spied on a student activist group that wasn't breaking any laws.

The ACLU of Washington held a news conference Thursday to reveal information obtained through public disclosure requests. The documents show that an undercover officer monitored two meetings of a group that was planning demonstrations in support of custodial workers at the school.

The officer's superiors praised her work.

The ACLU says the spying is troubling, especially in light of other instances of political activists being harassed and infiltrated by police and the military in the region.

University Vice President Eric Godfrey says the issue first surfaced last spring and the administration made clear it does not support unjustified surveillance of students. He says he's instructed the UW Police Department to make clear to officers that such activity may only be conducted as part of criminal investigations.