The Patriot Act, a law passed in October that expands law enforcement power, drew particular scorn. Some speakers said they have been doubly frustrated by the Patriot Act itself and by the lack of information about monitoring activities taking place as the result of the measure. Author James Bamford called the act the "eavesdropping equivalent of weapons of mass destruction." Jerry Berman, executive director of technology policy group the Center for Democracy and Technology, reiterated many of the concerns that were voiced as the law was being considered last October, saying the bill's backers resisted public discussion in an attempt to obtain new monitoring capabilities. "It is a very serious civil liberties danger," Berman said. A few law enforcement representatives attended the conference. Panelist Chris Painter of the US Department of Justice spent much of his time defending the Patriot Act, saying criticism of the measure has been full of "misstatement and hyperbole." "There was ample debate," Painter said of the act's passage, drawing a few jeers from the audience. Ron Davis, a captain in the Oakland, California, Police Department, said law enforcement officials should participate in more discussions about technology and its role in fighting crime. "I find it interesting that law enforcement isn't really at the table," Davis said during a session on biometric technology. Many police departments are considering or already implementing face-recognition systems and other biometric measures in an attempt to capture criminals. "Once you bring (the technology) to us, it's too late."
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